A Whole New Mind: Moving from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age by Dan Pink, Riverhead Books, 240 Pages, $24.95 Hardcover, March 2004, ISBN 1573223085
Dan Pink wrote a very influential book a few years ago called Free Agent Nation whichcaused quite a stir. The concept made the cover of some business magazines. I believe his new book will join the previous book in many major business publications and I expect even non-business magazines. When Dan sent me the manuscript, I did the same thing I always do when I know nothing about a new book: I read the blurbs. There are four and they are by Po Bronson, Seth Godin, Tom Peters and Alan Webber, founding editor of Fast Company. That is a stellar collection, and this book deserves every brilliant word of praise it’s getting.
A Whole New Mind looks at the right brain/left brain differences and shows how those historical issues are radically changing. As I learned during a weekend in Vermont with Tom Peters, Dan Pink also believes that: The MFA is the new MBA. Pink points out that design and traditional right brain thinking will be the course of the future. The first part of the book gives a primer on how the brain works with great stories from Pink on how his brain was scanned and stimulated and how the different parts of his brain responded. He then goes into pages and pages of supporting stories and examples from his extensive research. Excellent reading!
Pink states that we are entering the Conceptual Age and to prepare for it we need to improve six essential abilities. They are: Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning. These abilities are the chapter heading for the final six chapters. At the end of each of the chapters, Pink has a Portfolio which is a combination of tools, exercises, and further reading culled from his research and travels that can help you sharpen each sense.
I know it is early in the year of 2005 but this book is my leading candidate for the best of 2005. This is a true crossover book that will influence your business and personal life. I havent even mentioned how well it is written so I better just say: read this and learn.
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