The Art of Possibility

Drawn from the lifetime experiences of Rosamund Stone Zander, an acclaimed speaker and organizational coach, and Benjamin Zander, the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, The Art of Possibility offers 13 strategies for finding and embracing possibility in any endeavour. These strategies, when explained, may seem quite simple; the true magic of this book is in the way the Zanders demonstrate that very subtle shifts in thinking can change any losing situation into one with endless possibilities.

As the title intimates, The Art of Possibility is about possibilities: how to recognize them, how to create them, and how to make the most of them. The book contains thirteen "practices", each a unique strategy for retraining your mind to see the world differently. The Zanders strive to teach their readers to rethink their assumptions and to seek out possibilities for success in even the bleakest situations. Each practice is enhanced by anecdotes from history, folklore and the Zanders' unique personal experiences. The personal stories, in particular, bring an exuberance to the lessons, often times taking the reader to the very moment that vague ideas crystallized into a "practice." Rosamund Zander's fills in the blanks, making the psychology behind the practices accessible to everyone and giving a concise explanation of each.

As a teacher at the New England Conservatory, Ben Zander faced a troubling problem. His students, instrumentalists and singers, were letting the pressure and anxiety of achieving high grades override their willingness to take chances with the music, and stretch themselves as performers. Rather than fail in a bold attempt, the students adopted a conservative streak.

How did he solve this problem? By giving everyone an A right from the start. The caveat being that each student had to write a letter, postdated to the following May, explaining how they had earned the A. This freed the students to focus on their performance and personal growth, and at the end of the year, they had truly earned their A's.

The practice of "Giving an A" demonstrates how a leader, in this case a teacher, can eliminate negativity, and instead turn the focus to the possibilities that exist in a situation.

A similarly uplifting situation occurs with the ninth practice, "Lighting A Spark." The chapter speaks to the importance of inspiring those around you to see the possibilities. The story of Eastlea School in London, England begins with Benjamin Zander failing to secure sponsorship from Arthur Andersen for a concert by the Philharmonia Orchestra of London and concludes with a the concert being sponsored and hundreds of students at a "failing" elementary school being exposed to the joy of classical music. All because Benjamin Zander was able to light a spark!

The Art of Possibility is a thought-provoking read, giving readers an understandable framework to re-examine their lives, see how and where they have missed opportunities, and give them the practices to never miss another opportunity.