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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Brilliance by Design summary
Creating Learning Experiences that Connect, Inspire, and Engage
29 mins
Brief summary
'Brilliance by Design' by Vicki Halsey offers insights on how to create a culture of learning within an organization. It provides practical advice and tools for leaders to develop employees, increase creativity and innovation, and ultimately improve the bottom line.
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Brilliance by Design
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The Brilliance Learning System
Meet the glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. He is renowned for his beautiful, bold, creative pieces. But the sculptures themselves are perhaps not his greatest innovation. Instead, it was his idea of assembling teams of skilled glassblowers to create the amazing, large-scale artworks. By capitalizing on the synergy of their collective skills, Chihuly and the other artists produce unique pieces that they would never have been able to create on their own.
When it comes to the classroom, a similar synergy is at play between teachers and learners. At the end of the day, it doesn’t result in intricate sculptures in the shapes of sea creatures or cacti. But this synergy does result in a different kind of masterpiece: the beauty of shared knowledge, empowerment, and new crystallized skills in the minds of your students.
When there is synergy in the classroom, teachers and learners work together to reach greater and greater heights. As the teacher, it’s your job to create and foster that synergy – just as Dale Chihuly does with his teams of glassblowers.
This is where Vicki’s Brilliance Learning System comes into play. It’s made up of three components, all of which we’re going to cover. The first component is people – more specifically, people who create synergistic relationships that bring out the best in both themselves and others.
How can you become such a teacher?
A great way to start is by adopting the 70/30 principle. This is the idea that you, as the teacher, should be talking only 30 percent of the time, while your learners should be talking 70 percent of the time. This will make your learners feel like they are the focus of the session. Remember this important axiom: whoever is doing the talking is doing the learning. Learners should spend 70 percent of their time practicing and building skills, and 30 percent of their time learning from you.
Put effort into getting to know your learners. What are their goals, passions, and areas of expertise? Could it be that you’re subconsciously stifling their learning through your tone, demeanor, facial expressions, or body language? Is your classroom a safe space?
Assume that every learner comes to your session wanting to learn, and that those with pessimistic attitudes may feel closed off to learning because of negative experiences from the past – not necessarily because of your class. So instead of getting annoyed, be curious about their experiences and feelings.
While your focus should be on the learners in the classroom, it’s also important that you invest in yourself. This will help you to bring out the best in others. One way to do this is by practicing self-care. Busy instructors often let self-care slip by the wayside. But if you aren’t feeling good and restored on a regular basis – if you aren’t, in other words, bringing out the brilliance in you – you’re going to have a hard time bringing out your learners’ brilliance.
Self-care might mean more sleep, more time to eat, walks in nature, mini-vacations, or quiet time with family. Whatever it is, make sure you’re staying fresh, healthy, and inspired!
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What is Brilliance by Design about?
Brilliance by Design (2011) is all about creating learning experiences that bring out the brilliance in every student. Targeted at coaches, teachers, mentors, and anyone who spends time in a classroom, it provides a handy and helpful model for high-impact instructional design that will inspire and motivate learners.
Brilliance by Design Review
Brilliance by Design (2010) explores how to create engaging presentations that captivate audiences and achieve desired outcomes. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- This book offers a practical framework and specific techniques to design compelling presentations that leave a lasting impact.
- By drawing from real-life examples and success stories, it demonstrates the effectiveness of its strategies and makes the concepts relatable.
- Its emphasis on audience-centric communication ensures that readers learn how to connect with their listeners and deliver memorable presentations.
Who should read Brilliance by Design?
- Teachers looking to add tools to their repertoire
- Mentors having a hard time energizing their mentees
- Anyone who spends time at the front of a classroom
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Brilliance by Design FAQs
What is the main message of Brilliance by Design?
The main message of Brilliance by Design is that everyone has the potential to be creative and innovative.
How long does it take to read Brilliance by Design?
The reading time for Brilliance by Design varies for each individual, but it usually takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Brilliance by Design a good book? Is it worth reading?
Brilliance by Design is worth reading as it provides practical insights on how to tap into your creative potential and foster a culture of innovation.
Who is the author of Brilliance by Design?
The author of Brilliance by Design is Vicki Halsey.
What to read after Brilliance by Design?
If you're wondering what to read next after Brilliance by Design, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Map It by Cathy Moore
- Leveraged Learning by Danny Iny
- Evidence-Informed Learning Design by Mirjam Neelen & Paul A. Kirschner
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- The Learning and Development Handbook by Michelle Parry-Slater
- Buddhism – Plain and Simple by Steve Hagen
- Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
- Help Me, I Have No Discipline and Zero Self-Control by Vaughn Carter
- Mastering Leadership by Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams
- Cobalt Red by Siddharth Kara