“There are only 3 colors, 10 digits, and 7 notes; its what we do with them that’s important.” (Jim Rohn)

This is an unbelievably profound statement and each time I ponder it, I am amazed at all the beauty and art that is created as a result of these three simple facts.  Now it is true that we have splintered and sliced and diced colors, digits and notes but it leads me to truly accept that there is “nothing new under the sun”.  I have never been “accused” of being particularly artistic but I do know that art can be found in many forms.  And there are infinite possibilities.  As leaders, we should not think of 3 colors, 10 digits and 7 notes as limiting.

I had the wonderful fortune of spending a couple of days working with my friend and colleague, Pam Boney, CEO of Tilt Inc.  We got to spend the day together in Milan before I took the train back in the evening to Geneva the Saturday before last.  When we came up from the Metro at the Duomo Station, I heard this terrible noise.  On the surface, one might be inclined to think that this was unorganized chaos and confusion . . . not to mention that terrible noise.  It was loud and crowded and I wanted to avoid the source as much as possible.  So I kept to my far right up the other side of the stairs.  It wasn’t until we came back to the Metro that I realized what I almost missed.

As these boys played, I realized that to them this was not a racket and it was far more organized than I first realized.  Here are the lessons that I might have missed had I not taken the time to stop, observe and reconsider what was really going on.

Leadership Lessons from Milan

• there is nothing to fear but fear itself
• many things are not what they appear to be on the surface
• just like chaos theory – - – there is a pattern if you take the time to look
• and if you take the time to look – - – you will find a smile somewhere
• you have to keep your ears and eyes open to the possibilities
• play is necessary for the creative spirit
• what you see as unproductive may not be shared by others (beauty is in the eye or ear of the beholder)
• what you lest expect will be the thing you remember the most

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