Transformation and learning occur when our need to move forward overcomes our reluctance. These moments bring us from one state to another rather. In birth and death we have little choice or control over our circumstances and the change is abrupt. Then, there are those transitions and challenges where we have a great deal of choice and control. It might not seem like it at the time. Becoming a first-time manager, starting a pilgrimage, embarking on a new career, working our way through the ranks—these are all examples of change we invite into our lives, where we can manage our reactivity. Yet, when navigating our lives with uncertainty, our next step feels unbelievably foreign.
Read MoreModern Craft Skills: Transdisciplinarity
Problems today are too complex to be solved by one specialized discipline. It takes multiple perspectives and skills from every discipline to solve crises like homelessness, global warming, and overpopulation. Throughout the 20th century, ever-greater specialization was encouraged, but now? There is an increase in transdisciplinary solutions such as nanotechnology, which blends molecular biology, biochemistry, protein chemistry, and other specialties.
Read MoreModern Craft Skills: Agility
Consistency is a controversial term. Consistency in performance is not the same thing uniformity. To be consistent means we are agile enough to perform consistently under pressure amidst changing conditions, in any setting. To be successful, identify and communicate points of connection (shared goals, priorities, values) that transcend differences and enable us to build relationships and to work together effectively.
Read MoreModern Craft Skills: Flexible Tension
To grow and innovate, we must successfully manage in between short- and long-term planning, fast and slow thinking—certainty and uncertainty; we must adapt between these modes in any situation (when adaptability is needed). To hold our certainty lightly to learn is the ultimate flexible tension.
Read MoreModern Craft Skills: Sensemaking
Many people think they know their values. They’ll choose health, community, or some other value. But when we think of our values, we tend to think of ourselves aspirationally, and not how we really live day to day. If you want to know your real values, think about what got you in and out of the greatest peaks and valleys of your life.
Read MoreModern Craft Skills: Earnestness
Friendship, bonding, cooperation, and cohesion are essential core qualities enabling success. How? They inform us we cannot become successful unless we work well with others. Earnestness binds friendship, bonding, cooperation, and cohesion. Therefore, being earnest is essential for reaching success.
Read MoreModern Craft Skills: Drive for Greatness
When we demonstrate all the other skills—competence, practice, cohesion, initiative—we increase our potential for success. But if we aren’t driven toward greatness, we won’t be our best. Along with our basic skills, composure and confidence are building blocks for greatness. With greatness (however we define it) as the primary goal, we can align our peak performance when our peak performance is needed.
Read MoreModern Craft Skills: Confidence
Both universities and organizations are investing in training that helps people learn to present themselves—in big meetings or public speaking and compelling storytelling. Classes can instruct us in ways to walk, look, and act, but it is a mistake to think that any school can teach either composure or confidence. Those qualities cannot be taught.
Read MoreModern Craft Skills: Composure
Composure and confidence are the byproducts of all of the other qualities (practice, commitment, bonding, determination, et al.) in place. We can't have either if we don't have all the others.
Read MoreModern Craft Skills: Cohesion
A genuine consideration and regard for others that makes the group stronger and more resilient.
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