preview

How the paper fish learned to swim

Good Essays

“HOW THE PAPER FISH LEARNED TO SWIM” Jonathon A. Flaum Synopsis: About 500 years ago there was a young origami master named Daishinji who lived in a small fishing village in Japan. Daishinji was beginning to become well known for what she could do with a single sheet of paper. One day she decided to fold a sheet of paper into a fish. Amazed by her creation she then called it a masterpiece with its almost real-liked looked. After listening for a long time, the paper fish finally spoke. His first three words were “I am lonely”. The origami fish decides that he wants to be set free into the ocean with the other sea creatures. Pleased by the fish’s ability to communicate, Daishinji folded a world full of sea creatures …show more content…

And such an attitude seems possible when you think of the power of an individual mind. Holds true to the English translation of Daishinji’s name “magnanimous mind temple” which taught us important lessons on power. 1. Magnanimous Mind : Infinite Possibility in the Workplace The “Paper Fish Process” begins with Daishinji or a “magnanimous mind temple”. The manager is charged with creating an atmosphere geared to big open thinking rather than administrative efficiency. People must perform their daily functions, but if that is all they do, new ideas to grow the company will not magically appear. 2. Autonomy : Allowing creative talent to “be” at work Creative people need space and time. A walk, a bike ride, an hour in the garden, or even a half hour working with clay can unlock a complicated issue at work in a way that staring at a computer screen in the office never could. 3. Letting Go : Sending ideas into the real world For a person to let go of having singular control over how his work is understood and interpreted is a movement from security to insecurity – from comfort to the unknown. Letting go for Daishinji becomes important as the act of creating itself. The activity is one in which a mature person, slowly, over time, disappears into her work in a way that there is no separation between work and worker. 4. Exchange : The Art of Nurturing a “Work in progress” The center spot is the place of

Get Access