The Five Faces of Genius: Creative Thinking Styles to Succeed at Work

216 Pages·2002·2.41 MB·English

by  Annette Moser-Wellman

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The Five Faces of Genius
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The Five Faces of Genius
T H E S K I L L S T O M A S T E R
I D E A S A T W O R K
Annette Moser-Wellman
VIKING
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VIKING
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Putnam Inc., 375 Hudson Street,
New York, New York 10014, U.S.A.
Penguin Books Ltd, 27 Wrights Lane,
London W8 5TZ, England
Penguin Books Australia Ltd, Ringwood,
Victoria, Australia
Penguin Books Canada Ltd, 10 Alcorn Avenue,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4V 3B2
Penguin Books (N.Z.) Ltd, 182–190 Wairau Road,
Auckland 10, New Zealand
Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices:
Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England

First published in 2001 by Viking Penguin,
a member of Penguin Putnam Inc.
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
Copyright © Annette Moser-Wellman, 2001
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Moser-Wellman, Annette.
The five faces of genius : the skills to master ideas at work / Annette Moser-
Wellman.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 0 7865 3705 1
1. Creative ability in business. I. Title: Master ideas at work. II. Title.
HD53 .M67 2001
650.1—dc21 00-068585
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Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this
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For James
Whose words are under the rocks from the basement of time
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
There seems no way to separate the writing of a book from the living of a
life, so in thanking those who contributed to this effort, I find myself re-
membering the spirits of those who have influenced me.
To the many colleagues and clients who have taught me the satisfaction of
an idea wrested from the heavens, may you each find your signature here.
Thank you to Jane von Mehren and Jennifer Ehmann at Viking for their
tireless energy in the shaping of the manuscript. And to my agent, Jan
Miller, for her insight, vigilance, and belief in this project.
For their enduring grace, perseverance, and generosity, I thank those who
contributed mightily to the ideas here: Marianne Ahern, Terri Alexander,
Peter Barnard, Howard Behar, Colette Boeker, Carolyn Harper, Jane
Melvin, Carla Paonessa, Barbara Price-Martin, Jim Reynolds, Stacey Ri-
ley, Tina Sellers, James K. Wellman Sr., and George Wishart.
And to my mentors in life and work who believed in me and my dreams,
Bruce Larson, Steve Hayner, Bob Lipsky, Jerry Reitman, and Tom
Collinger.
To my family for their abiding love.To my sister,Deborah Moser-Donlen,
for her steadfast care and support.To the memory of my father,Alan Mal-
loy Moser, who taught me the joy of the hunt. To my two daughters,
Constance Moser Wellman and Georgia Moser Wellman, in whose cre-
ative spirits I rejoice daily.
To my mother, Elizabeth Eileen Moser, whose buoyant spirit and life, in-
tuition and genius will continue to bless others for generations to come.
And finally to my husband,James K.Wellman Jr.He has been my rock and
his obsession with truth guides me still.
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CONTENTS
I.
Finding the Business Genius Within
1
II.
The Five Faces of Genius
7
1. THE SEER 21
2. THE OBSERVER 46
3. THE ALCHEMIST 70
4. THE FOOL 90
5. THE SAGE 115
III.
Putting the Five Faces of Genius to Work
139
IV.
Discovering Your Genius Within
183
NOTES 195
INDEX 201
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The Five Faces of Genius
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I
Finding the Business
Genius Within
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“It is my business to create.”
—WILLIAM BLAKE
How did Albert Einstein get the idea for the theory of relativity? What
was Georgia O’Keeffe’s inspiration for her paintings? How did Andy Grove
create the computer giant Intel? Have you ever wondered how history’s
best got their ideas?
Most of us believe geniuses are in a league of their own.What we don’t
realize is that these highly creative people use skills we all can learn.People
aren’t genius;ideas are—and each of us is capable of our own breakthrough
ideas.
Here are the thinking skills of some of the most highly inventive
people in history—Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Frank Lloyd Wright,
Leonardo da Vinci, and more. When you understand their path to ideas—
how they developed breakthroughs—you’ll be able to master your imagina-
tion in business.You will discover your creative style—how yourimagination
operates and how to become an idea leader. You’ll learn to be a more vital
member of your team and to ensure that your ideas see the light of day
within your organization.You will discover the parts of youthat are genius.
Your company needs your genius.We are in a business renaissance,and
as in a renaissance, artists, scientists, poets, and thinkers are at the forefront
of change.They master possibility,paint on empty canvases,and define the
rules of the next age. To lead the changes in business today, you need to
think like an artist and master your imagination. Your currency is your
ideas.
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