The Five Faces of Genius: The Skills to Master Ideas at Work

by Annette Moser-Wellman

Book Overview

What do Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Leonardo da Vinci, and Ray Kroc, the man who created the McDonald's franchise enterprise, have in common? They have all mastered the skills of creative... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067089477X
• ISBN13: 9780670894772
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

What a Fool Believes

Author Annette Moser-Wellman shows people of all types how to tap their innate reservoirs of creativity to solve business problems. The book contains a quiz designed to allow you to gauge your strengths in each of the creative styles from which the book takes its title - the Seer, the Observer, the Alchemist, the Fool and the Sage. My results from the quiz revealed that I have strengths in several of the types, but my strongest Face was the Fool - and many of that type's attributes do indeed fit me. The book provides real-world business examples to illustrate the creative strengths of each type, provides exercises designed to build your strengths in the styles you're weak in, and provides advice for working with different creative styles on the same team. The author makes a compelling case for the proposition that the key to a successful caree is finding meaning in one's work, and the surest way to do that is to master your creativity in order to enjoy your work. jeffbrownlegal@gmail.com

Interesting perspectives on creative thinking styles

This book starts off a quick précis of the 5 faces : Seer, Observer, Alchemist, Fool, Sage. Then it gives a self-assessment of which Styles you are currently using. I scored highest on Fool & Observer, and lowest on Sage.As I read through the book, I was disillusioned as to its worth. But when I got to Fool, I thought "that's me exactly" (there's no shame in being a 'Fool' in this schema).So I looked back at the earlier chapters, and thought maybe the questions & examples were not as appropriate as they might have been?Anyway, I began to appreciate the book more. Certainly the latter sections on how to apply the 5 different styles at work, and the strengths & weaknesses of teams who find themselves with & without all these players, were of more use than the theorising.There are other books offering rival schemas, but I think this one is as good as any of the others, and easier to read.

Become A Genius

This book, The Five Faces of Genius, is destined to make a difference, and become a "profitable experience" for anyone who reads it. It stimulates the imagination, which leads to ideas and concepts, which guide us to policies and programs, which generate strategies and tactics, which result in new products and services. The next thing you know, you have profits.Listen to the writer, Robinson Davies (p.23) describing his inspirational moments: "An idea for a novel seizes me and will not let me go. What often appears in my head is a picture which somehow must be considered." Now, that happens to all of us. But, we need to learn how to act on those inspirational moments. This book teaches us how. Goethe's quote (p.193) is timely and has encouraged many of us to take action. It is at the heart of great leadership and magnificent results: "If you can imagine it, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it." We should especially heed this advice during the current economic slump. It looks like the company, Agilent, did. The HP spinoff and maker of test and measurement equipment recently declared it would do something different to save money. It will cut the salaries of all 48,000 employees by 10% to avoid layoffs. This is an imaginative way to deal with economic hard times. It's also the "HP Way" - respect the individual. How to achieve this type of creative and positive response is all explained in the book. Finally, a third example that "exploded off the page" as I read the book are the Exercises found in each chapter. When you complete them you should submit them to your employer. They might become "the fuel that lights a fire" under your business.This stuff works! Just read about the companies and people who have improved their lot. The author has identified 204 specific examples of individuals and organizations to make her point as to "the Skills needed to Master Ideas at Work." Heck, that's probably more than the number you would learn about at a good, four year college. And, this 208 page book can be read in a few hours. In the Bible, Philippians 4:8, St. Paul urges us to think about "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." This book induces me to do just that. It seduces my senses. The author, Annette Moser-Wellman, knows what she is talking about. Can you define and dominate a market niche with your product or service? Read this book to find out how.The author has imagined, noticed detail, connected domains, celebrated weakness, and simplified throughout her life. With this book she has brought the reader into "the company of the creative." Take advantage of her counsel. Discover the "seer, observer, alchemist, and sage" that lies within you. If you don't at least glance through this book, you're "a fool."For "one shinning moment" then, be "a deer caught in the headlights of a passing car.

Breath of Fresh Air in a Very Tired Workplace

This book will be helpful to every knowledge worker--the title should not scare off the 99% of the population that does not qualify for "genius" status. Certainly there will be those looking for some magical way to lift themselves from obscurity, or lethargy, or oppression, that that think they are unappreciated geniuses and are simply looking for the window-dressing they need to be recognized. This book is not for them. What this book does, in a very nice way that reminds one of Drucker's belief that the best work is work as a "calling"--work as a beloved endeavor that brings out the best we have to offer--or of the 7 Habits book that emphasizes the urgency of protecting those activities that are important but not urgent (things like family time, exercise, and freedom from the telephone--or now, email)--is "review the bidding" on five different workstyles, and how to make them better. In a nutshell, this book is what results when Myers-Briggs and 7 Habits have children, and the children grow up to be artists. It is a good read, and at a minimum it will help *anybody* bring more reflection and more peace back into their daily work routine.

Enlightening & refreshing. Creativity unmasked!

I write for a living but before I read this book I never thought about how I got my creative inspiration. I had no idea what process my mind used to arrive at ideas. This book is very revealing in that respect. I now understand there are 5 different thinking styles, or "faces of genius," and where I fit in. I'm a fool, which at first seemed like the LAST thing I wanted to be. But the truth is, fools have a very strong creative streak. (Think of your favorite comedian and you're probably thinking of a fool.) But what I loved more than learning about my own style of thinking was discovering the styles employed by other creative people. The test in the book revealed me to be very weak in the Observer area (using details as inspiration) and the exercises in the book gave me a few tools to use when I get stuck using my tried and true creative approach. I applied the approach to refine an idea I just couldn't make work, and it clicked! I also enjoyed reading about the Sage face. This is someone who really knows how to simplify things. (Think "editor.") The other 2 faces, the Seer and the Alchemist, were intriguing as well. In fact, I think my understanding of these thinking styles will help me not only get different ideas, but help me learn how to offer them up to people in the right way (by taking into consideration their thinking styles). This is a great book for those who work in a creative field or anyone who wants to reignite their own creativity anywhere in their life.