36: Three ways to do a job.

In the XV century, in Italy, there was an architect and engineer who was a genius, so much so that he brought new innovations to building engineering that last until today: his name was Filippo Brunelleschi[1], a remarkable man.?

He was tasked to build the largest dome that had ever been built by anyone for the Cathedral of Florence: the Duomo[2].

The task was immensely difficult and what he did was so special, and unique, that not only was the Dome the largest at the time, but it is still today the largest masonry vault in the world. If you have been to Florence you won’t have missed it, and if you go to Florence you will remember this story.?

Chronicles say that Brunelleschi was extremely driven and deeply involved with the workers building the cathedral. He understood that to do something exceptional you need to be surrounded by exceptional people and with exceptional motivation, so he spent a good amount of time looking for the best craftsmen, builders and materials.

One story says that one day he was walking in the surrounding of the cathedral where his workers were cutting and preparing the stones, and saw a man cutting a stone with a chisel, so he asked, ‘What are YOU doing here?’?

The worker lifted his head and answered, ‘I am cutting stones, it’s hard work’.

Brunelleschi continued his walk and met a second worker to whom he again asked, ‘And what are YOU doing?’

The second worker lifted his head and answered ’I make a living by cutting stones, it is a good job’.

He then arrived at a point where a man was cutting a stone with a beautiful design so he asked, ‘And what are YOU doing?’.?

The man looked up and answered proudly, ’I am building a cathedral that my family will see in the centuries to come’.

The moral of the story is that any job can be done in different ways. You can replace cutting stones for answering phones, building an EV network, selling solutions, serving coffees, consulting, and the outcome won’t change. Whatever you do, aim to do something meaningful, with an impact for others - don’t just do a job or make a living.

[1] Filippo Brunelleschi - Wikipedia

[2] Brunelleschi Dome | Opera del Duomo, Florence. Vasari reported that at the time of deciding who would build the dome, Brunelleschi did not bring his plans but only one egg. When asked how he would build the massive dome, he challenged others to stand an egg upright. After they failed, Brunelleschi gently cracked one end, making it stand. Critics said anyone could do that once shown, to which Brunelleschi replied that the same would be true of his dome design—once he built it, the solution would seem obvious. His innovative approach, using interlocking bricks and no scaffolding, solved the dome's construction problem, and his design was chosen!