Now the master of fine arts, or M.F.A. is the new M.B.A. -- Daniel Pink
Keynote speaker at the National Association of Colleges and Employers 2008 annual conference Daniel Pink asserts that right brain skills, in combination with the standardly valued skills of the left, will "rule the future." As someone with not one but two MFAs, this is really exciting news.
Pink talked about the discrepancy in the sharp rise of prosperity in the US with a concordant flat-lined level of personal satisfaction as one of the factors in the evolution of a professional work force much more interested in personal satisfaction and meaning in employment than the more traditional focus on security and strict financial gain. Spirituality in the workplace, yoga at lunchtime, work/life balance and other similar movements now almost commonplace in the mainstream U.S. work cultures were once the bastion of the margins. This change comes in part, Pink suggests, from a more financially secure culture, and a radical shift in the nature of the employer-employee relationship.
Pink joked about how his grandfather might have reacted incredulously to his decision to leave a good steady job and strike out on his own as a writer. "Was the salary low?" his grandfather might ask. "No, it was pretty good." "Did you have health insurance?" "Yes, a comprehensive plan." "Was the company doing poorly?" "No, they were doing great, I just wasn't fulfilled." (I'm paraphrasing!)
He went on to describe the traditional top down patronage model of employment, where the company served as a parental figure. Countless workers dedicated their lives and livelihoods to "Ma" Bell, for instance, staying with the company their whole working lives, and being rewarded for their loyalty. Today's employer-employee relationship, Pink asserts, is more of a lateral give and take, with the employer providing an opportunity and the employee providing talent. In A Whole New Mind, Pink outlines six essential aptitudes for success in the 21st century professional workplace. A new mind and skill set for a whole new world.
See Let Computers Compute. It’s the Age of the Right Brain., Janet Rae-Dupree, NYTimes, April 6, 2008
About Me
- K Douglas
- "Kathy connects with everyone and has the ability to be both involved in daily, practical matters as well as more long term strategic thinking." -- Bjorn Akselsen, design colleague
Career development professional strongly committed to supporting master's and PhD-level emerging leaders in a wide range of environment and business/environment related fields. Twelve years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, focused on career development and student services at Ivy League university.
Creative, big-picture thinker with proven follow-through and unique ability to engage and lead employers, colleagues, students and alumni to strategically improve student resources.
Empathic adviser dedicated to student success with breadth of knowledge of green, sustainability and environment-related careers.
Community leader as secretary of the board of the New Haven YMCA Youth Center--a unique youth-only Y that provides recreational and personal development programs to at-risk youth in New Haven.
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