Synopsis of the ART of Possibility

Below you will find quotes and my own interpretation of Zander & Zander, The Art of Possibility.

THE ART OF POSSIBILITY

OBJECTIVE: “provide the reader the means to lift off from the world of struggle and sail into the universe of possibility.” (p. 1)

#1 ITS ALL INVENTED

Our perception of the world is different than others (e.g. Me’en people of Etheopia perceived photographs differently because they had never seen one before. (p. 11).

“We might as well invent a story or framework of meaning that enhances our quality of life and the life of those around us” (p. 12)

If we have problems in life or run into a roadblock, look at the broader picture, enlarge the box to look at the large picture to see what other options are available. We always assume. Look beyond these assumptions.

Ask: What assumption am I making, that I am not aware I’m making, that gives me what I see? What might I now invent, that I haven’t yet invented, that would give me other choices? (15).


#2 UNIVERSE OF POSSIBILITY

“We grow up in a world of measurement and in this world we get to know each other and things by measuring them, and my comparing and contrasting them.” (p. 18)

“A universe of possibility stretches beyond the world of measurement to include all worlds: infinite, generative, and abundant” (p. 19)

In the measurement world, the goal is to succeed and keep reaching for your goals. Competition is the vehicle for success in measurement.

In possibility we gain knowledge through invention (p. 20)

In order for things to be possible, it is important to take risks

Ask: How are my thoughts and actions, in this moment, reflections of the measurement world? And how now?

#3 GIVING AN A

“The practice of giving an A transports your relationships from the world of measurement to the world of possibilities. When you give an A, you find yourself speaking to people not from a place of measuring how they stack up against your standards, but from a place of respect that gives them room to realize themselves.” (p. 26)
When you know that you are going to be measured, you are less likely to take risks.

Ben Zander gives all his students in the beginning of the term an A. The students then write a past tense letter—as if they have already finished the course—explaining why the deserve the A. This gives the students a potential to live up to. More often than not, people are more apt to be critical on themselves.

“The practice of giving the A allows the teacher to line up with her students in their efforts to produce the outcome, rather than lining up with the standards against these students.” (33)

Giving real grades tells the students how much they fall short. (34)


#4 BEING A CONTRIBUTION

In this practice, you look at how you can be a contributor.

“In the game of contribution you wake up each day and bask in the notion that you are a gift to others.

The practice:
1. Declare yourself to be a contribution.
2. Throw yourself into life as someone who makes a difference, accepting that you my not understand how or why. (59)

Contribution allows us to engage with others.

#5 LEADING FROM ANY CHAIR

“ A leader does not need a podium; she can be sitting quietly on the edge of any chair, listening passionately and with commitment, fully prepared to take the baton. ” (p. 76)


#6 RULE NUMBER SIX

Simply stated: Don’t take everything so SERIOUSLY and lighten up.

We use rule number six when we want the calculating self to subside. The calculating self is like a defense mechanism. You spiral out of control and hold up your guard and think everyone else is wrong---you look for the bad in everyone else and don’t take a look at your inner perceptions.

The central self—“honest conversation and appraises the truth of the situation.” (93-94).

#7 THE WAY THINGS ARE

Live in the moment and be happy! . . . What will be will be!

MISTAKES—“if we include mistakes in our definition of performance, we are likely to glide through them and appreciate the beauty of the longer run.” (p. 102)/

The “attitude is difficult to maintain in our competitive culture where so much attention is given to mistakes and criticism that the voice of the soul is literally interrupted.” (p. 103)

#8 GIVING WAY TO PASSION

You cannot achieve passion without letting yourself become fully enveloped within your passion. The passion will not shine through. If barriers are up, your talents will not shine through.

Practice
1. The first step is to notice where you are holding back, and let go. Release those barriers of self that keep you separate and in control, and let the vital energy of passion surge through you, connecting you to all beyond..
2. The second step is to participate wholly. Allow yourself to be a channel to shape the stream of passion into a new expression for the world.
3.
In music, don’t focus on each individual note and look at the piece as a whole.

#9 Lighting a Spark

“Enrollment is the art and practice of generating a spark of possibility for others to share.”

“Enrollment is about giving yourself as a possibility to others and being ready, in turn, to catch their spark. It is about playing together as partners in a field of light. Steps of Practice are:
1. Imagine that people are an invitation for enrollment.
2. Stand ready to participate, willing to be moved and inspired.
3. Offer that which lights up
4. Have no doubt that others are eager to catch the spark.

The word NO is looked at as another way to “enroll.” Don’t look at the word NO as a barrier, but more a new possibility.

#10 BEING ON BOARD

“you rename yourself as the board on which the whole game is being played” (p. 141)

This whole practice is about looking at the situation differently and not placing blame. When you place blame you lose power. Zander wants you to look at the issue in a different way, look at the big picture and take responsibility. . . sometimes it comes out more positive and you avoid conflict.

Take responsibility for your own actions—being on board makes you responsible.

“Being the board approach opens the possibility of a graceful journey, one that quickly reinstates us on the path w hose before the fateful collision intervened. It allows us to keep on track.” (p. 143)

“The purpose of naming yourself as the board, or as the context in which life occurs to you, is to give yourself the power to transform your experience of any unwanted condition into one with which you care to live. . . once you do transform your experience and see things differently, other changes occur.” (p. 146)

#11 CREATING FRAMEWORKS FOR POSSIBIITY

It is about restructuring meanings, creating visions, and establishing environments where possibility is spoken-where the buoyant force of possibility overcomes the pull of the downward spiral (163).

“ a vision releases us from the weight and confusion of local problems and concerns, and allows us to see the long clear line.” (p. 169)

#12 TELLING THE WE STORY

“ This practice points the way o a kind of leadership based not on qualifications earned in the field of battle, but on the courage to speak on behalf of all people for the long line of human possibility.” (183)

The WE story allows both parties to take ownership.