Why do some historical figures still resonate in our subconscious today? An uncanny ability to see and interpret the world around us differently might just be the answer.
In a world with an abundance of information, where we are unsure of what to process first, it can be incredibly helpful to reflect on historical figures and why their names still resonate in our subconscious today. Successful people – past and present - frequently depend a single pattern of excellence that serves as the basis of their achievements.
Nearly 300 years ago, Lancelot Brown, the renowned landscape architect to the rich and famous, had the communication and client-engagement skills that compelled the ‘A lister’ clients of his day to seek out his services.
Known as "Capability Brown" - not because he was ‘capable’ as a modern reading might suggest, but because he was expert at articulating his radical vision and realising the potential of the landscapes he created. He would tell his clients that their property had a lot of "capability" for improvement because his focus was on what was attainable in a way that was unusual at the time.
Contrary to popular belief, there hasn't been much of a change in the Why, How, and What of value, process, and delivery. The value (why), which he fervently believed he could bring, was what ultimately determined whether his clients would want him to bring a new and exciting vision and approach. The method (How) was his track record of achieving the vision through his technical knowledge, planning, and project management abilities, as well as his reputation in the industry (What) represented by his qualifications as a tradesman.
Today, the knowledge, skills, behaviours, and specialised expertise needed to perform at a certain level make up our professional capabilities. However, its our ability to see and present a vision that meets the needs of our clients and to take them on a journey to help them execute the plan - is what sets us apart from the competition.
The most exciting part is sitting down each time to determine where the current capability can be increased and unleashing that potential. The most difficult thing to do is to refocus on simplicity and to realign the engine of a business, but this frequently leads to something much greater than was initially achieved or thought possible.
Capability Brown—the most well-known individual in the history of the English landscape garden style, the design disruptor of his day, who transformed the countryside we now recognise as quintessentially English and worked on over 250 sites for a clientele that largely consisted of members of the House of Lords – brought impartial counsel and a unique vision that helped clear the mind of everyday thoughts and opened up new and unimagined perspectives.
If this story had begun by promoting a gardener's services rather than his capacity to articulate a vision, the true value of the person would have been lost in the sea of "no thanks," and not today.
Reassessing an opportunity's potential through a fresh perspective is frequently the best way to revitalise not only a business but also its interactions with clients and employees. These interactions, along with the availability of independent real-world expertise and support, serve as catalysts for revealing what is frequently concealed in plain sight.
So as Lancelot Brown would say - I see great capability. Now how can we help you?
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