Superskills: Learn from Polymaths! Critical and Creative Thinking Was Yesterday.

The idea of lifelong learning caught humanity by surprise in the late 20th century, coming into the mainstream in the beginning of our century. This transition from an industrial economy to a knowledge-based economy emphasized the importance of knowledge and skills as valuable assets. Today, it may seem as natural as it did for the great Chinese polymath Confucius, who spoke about the need for continuous learning back in the fifth century BCE.?

However, people conditioned by the industrial age, when obtaining one specialization was all that was needed, were not prepared for the idea of constant upskilling, reskilling, or even career-shifting.

In private conversations with people across various industries I'm amazed by how commonly they express dislike for the corporate training that their companies require them to attend. Training inefficiency is a well-known problem and is being explained by factors like “learning for the wrong reasons,” poor timing, wrong content, or poor training quality.

But let me offer a rather bold explanation, from my dual perspective as a Talent professional and progressive educator. Could it be that the discomfort towards these formal instructional sessions isn't solely due to their flaws, but rather an echo from the past? A past colored by the rigid structure of schooling, vocational training, or academia. An experience that lingers with a bitter aftertaste, long after the final bell rings—an echo that whispers, "No more."

As well noted by the legendary Ken Robison, "schools kill creativity," and with it, the thirst for knowledge. It's an intrinsic yearning stifled by years of structured education. This very desire, buried beneath monotony.

Then, in adulthood, it often comes for the phenomenon known as cognitive rigidity, an overreliance on routine thinking. The human brain loves stability and tries to avoid impermanence whenever possible.?

As I reflect on it, a particular story comes to mind, the one I personally witnessed in a hospital. A little girl underwent surgery. Being frightened by the experience, she didn't want to try walking. Her concerned mother and all the doctors made efforts to persuade her, but their attempts were in vain. Then a psychologist came and took her to a corner with other kids and toys. The little one got excited! Right away, she started practicing walking because she wanted to join the kids.

I have an idea how to lead those uninterested to learn straight to the play area where curious kids enjoy amazing toys. How? Well, consider those who are always eager learners, naturally motivated, yet often overlooked in the heavily regulated work environment – the polymaths!

Why Polymaths?

Polymaths are people who have mastered many domains and have synthesized their learning into unique and invaluable perspectives and discoveries. Polymaths have been around since the dawn of the human race, in fact even every single forager had to be a versatile master. But even when most of humanity settled down and started specializing in agriculture and domestication, there have always been an ever growing number of people who wanted to know “everything” and went on a life-long quest for knowledge and mastery.

The modern narratives will obligingly point out to Leronardo Da Vinci, but don’t buy into that. Leonardo was one of the many, across cultures and ages. Aristotle, Pythagoras, Chankya, Avizenna, Isaak Newton, Akbar the Great, William Blake, Alexander von Humboldt, Mary Somerville, Charles Darwin, Florence Nightingale, Thomas Jefferson, Max Weber, Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Nobel, Benoit B. Mandelbrot, Charlie Munger, Mae Jamison, Jack Ma, Brunello Cucinelli, Steve Jobs, just to name a few… Today, the breadth of polymathy may have narrowed, yet the spirit persists. Modern polymaths, wielding prowess in three or more domains, dot our landscape and keep shaping our civilization.

The age of mass-production and mass-education has not illuminated polymaths. However, it turned this phenomenon almost to a taboo. Astonishingly, till today polymathic professionals remain undiscovered in the realm of the corporate world. As inherited from the industrialization age, the idea of one-person-one-profession is still dominant. Amazing polymaths have to downplay their resumes so that their diversity does not shine through. Coworkers and bosses are often suspicious of employees who excel at things unrelated to their careers. Polymaths tend to keep all other pursuits private, if not secret. But what makes them different?

Polymathic Superskills

Polymaths do possess a secret – their magical skill set, the superskills! The three distinct traits that characterize a polymathic individual are: insatiable curiosity, rapid profundity, and polyskill. Why do I term them Superskills?

There are three levels of skills: skills, meta-skills and superskills.

Skills are like your personal toolkit of abilities that you pick up through learning, practice, and experience. They're the hands-on stuff you can actually do, usually tied to a specific task or field. Whether it's coding, playing an instrument, or being a great communicator, skills can be technical or soft, but they're definitely more specific and focused than those bigger ideas like meta-skills and superskills.

Meta-skills, on the other hand, are skills that help you learn and do other skills better. They're also called "higher-order skills" or "learning-to-learn skills." These are the brainy abilities that help you shine in different learning and problem-solving situations. Things like thinking critically, solving tricky puzzles, adapting to change, getting creative, communicating effectively, and being savvy with info. Strong meta-skills give you an edge to excel in lots of different areas.

The term "superskills" might not be as widely known as the other two ideas, but it's often used to talk about seriously valuable and transferable skills that really make a difference in your personal and work life. Superskills can be a mix of specific skills and meta-skills, covering things like emotional smarts, bouncing back from challenges, tackling tough problems, understanding different cultures, and being savvy with tech. These superskills are like your secret sauce for thriving in a fast-changing world where everything is interconnected. Through my investigation of polymaths, I realized that their approach aligns precisely with the essence of superskills. Let’s take a close look at each.

Insatiable curiosity

Any educator will tell you that children demonstrate different levels of curiosity, even in pre-school. Sadly, many children slowly but steadily lose their desire to explore the world around them. “Between the ages of 5 and 12, their curiosity diminishes” writes research psychologist Susan Engel in her recent book, The Hungry Mind. Some children, however, seem to have an unlimited desire to learn, and are literally ‘hungry’ for information of any kind. These children do not tolerate restrictions on their investigations, and this quality, having appeared quite early, continues to be their most distinctive feature at all ages. They usually become polymaths.

While curiosity itself might not be a skill in the same way that, for example, acting or painting is, it plays a significant role in the development of skills. Curiosity can lead individuals to ask questions, explore new topics, experiment, and engage in self-directed learning. It can also enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity—meta-skills that are fundamental for personal and professional growth.

If we think of a superskill as a higher-level, cross-cutting ability that contributes significantly to overall success, then curiosity can also fit this description. Curiosity is a foundational trait that fuels lifelong learning, innovation, and adaptability — qualities essential for excelling in a rapidly changing world.?

Rapid Profundity: swift in-depth learning skill?

This concept hints at the knack for swiftly diving into a profound understanding or expertise. It points to the ability to grasp complex subjects in a flash, a quality closely tied to cognitive flexibility. From my research for the book "Why Polymaths? " and my ongoing observations of modern polymaths, I see that this particular skill – the capacity to learn both rapidly and deeply – is the polymath's very own. The key lies in their comprehensive, in-depth knowledge (not just scratching the surface) across diverse domains. This kind of breadth nurtures the skill of linking ideas across different fields, fostering cognitive flexibility. And in turn, this dynamic process fuels neuroplasticity, the brain's extraordinary way of rewiring itself.

Rapid Profundity is a superpower. It's all about diving into complexity really fast and getting a deep understanding. This isn't just about knowing a little bit – it's about really getting it. Polymaths are pros at this. They soak up information quickly and understand it, which helps them connect ideas from different areas and come up with new ideas. This rapid and deep learning actually changes the brain, making it more flexible and adaptable, which ultimately empowers one to excel across various fields and adapt to the dynamic challenges of our world.

Polyskill: Mastering the Fusion of Multidisciplinary Knowledge?

The Polyskill ("conceptual blending"), is a real game-changer. This isn't just any skill – it's a superskill that enables multilevel creative thinking, solving problems, and getting those lightbulb moments by merging ideas from disparate domains. When you dive into different areas, your brain kicks into gear and starts mixing ideas from all over. It's like your brain is making a super smoothie of awesome thoughts. This combo of different ideas sparks a one-of-a-kind creativity that's at the core of being a polymath. What’s truly stunning about it? It happens organically, no polymath ever trained that on purpose.

However, the most important aspect is its relation to complexity, which appears to be increasing exponentially. This skill isn't just about adaptability; it's about proactively seeking new perspectives to address intricate challenges. Mastering the polyskill is becoming crucial for thriving in this world that's all about connections and complexity.

So, how precisely do these superskills provide solutions for the challenges of lifelong learning, effective training, and cognitive rigidity? What sets them apart as the true game-changers, outshining the popular catchphrases of critical and creative thinking?

While critical thinking and creativity are undoubtedly vital, they no longer stand as the be-all and end-all. Our world is evolving faster than ever, demanding more than just thinking outside the box. The polymathic superskills bridge the gap between theoretical and practical, between the vastness of knowledge and the ability to synthesize and apply it. They're not just another fleeting trend; they're the seismic shift we need. These times call for the next-level skills that can adeptly maneuver through the complexities we face, steering us toward a flourishing existence on this very planet we call home.

Transforming everyone into a polymath would seemingly be the magical solution. Yet, to be honest, I doubt it's feasible to teach someone to become a full-fledged polymath.?

Yet, there is indeed another path. It’s possible to get the taste of a polymathic mindset and to witness its mechanics in action. By training one can acquire the ability to learn more swiftly, understand more effortlessly, and approach a wide array of issues by grasping their interconnectedness.

Wondering how it all comes together?

I'm excited to share that I've crafted a training program called SUPERSKILLS that's tailored for this very purpose!

If you or your organization are interested, feel free to get in touch with me.

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