In the past couple of months the image of the “dancing lady” (to the right) has floated across the Internet in a viral fashion. Its popularity is due to the fact that some people see the image turning counter-clockwise, while others see it moving it a clockwise direction. (The general theory is that those people who see it moving counter-clockwise are more analytical in nature, while creative types see it moving clockwise.) The truth, of course, is that the figure is moving both directions simultaneously.
I like the image because it is a good visual metaphor for learning how to embrace two different ideas at the same time—a trick the Exponential Executive will need to learn if he or she is to successfully jump the curve into the future.
As F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “The test of a first rate mind is the ability to hold two diametrically opposed ideas in your head at the same time.” If you can’t yet see the dancing figure turning both ways yet, I’d suggest that you stick with it until you can because the skill will serve you well in dealing with tomorrow’s future.
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Jack Uldrich is a writer, futurist, public speaker and host of jumpthecurve.net. He is the author of seven books, including Jump the Curve and The Next Big Thing is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business. He is also a frequent speaker on future technology and future trends, nanotechnology, innovation, change management and executive leadership to a variety of businesses, industries and non-profit organizations and trade associations.
