The man that sells only his faculties is a charlatan. A great man sells
quite a bit more--like an understanding of tradition, scope and breadth of
learning, wisdom, inspiration of others, and yes the tools that work (I
call these the "faculties").
Many men have gone through life selling the latest in skill usage and
tools knowledge, but these are not great men. Even if they teach many
people and become famous for their teaching they are not great men. Great
men know context. Great men inspire as well as teach. Great men apply
wisdom and tools at appropriate times.
A finance teacher that doesn't teach that individuals can better diversify
a portfolio of assets than a corporation can doesn't teach context. For a
strategist one must teach context as well as tools. NPV is a great tool,
used inappropriately, or out of context it is a dangerous tool. Great
men, know context. Masters know context. Those that know how but not why
or when know little.
I once heard someone say you could tell how good a mechanic was by the
number of tools he had in his box. I thought, oh that's easy, the more
tools the better the mechanic. Just the opposite. The great mechanic
makes do with few tools and knows how to use them very well. It is the
same with swordsman. Masters know few powerful techniques and know them
well. But Great swordsmen know the few powerful techniques and know the
techniques of others they have defeated. This, put into context, makes
him undefeatable.
Is this not something to be learned in the context of becoming a LO
partner or change agent? What makes Out of the Crisis great is that you
can read it many times and pick something up anew each time. This is
learning. If done consistently, it becomes a constant in life.
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From: "Chas. A. Barclay" <BARCLAY@busadm.cba.hawaii.edu>