We are taking our first steps along a new path, guided by the tracks that hybrid working has laid down.
The desire to add value is stronger than ever.
Today, the journey of organisations has intensely and deeply human contours and shapes.
Along the way, the emotions, experiences and opinions of all people take up more and more space; we might even say they form the very essence of the environment that surrounds us.
We have spoken at length about vision as the guide that drives us to take future steps. Yet a vision of the future is built precisely through a deep connection to the system and to its people—the cells of which that system is made.
A vision becomes possible when one gaze, or rather many gazes, are directed forward; when the ability to perceive, to see into the complexity of the system, and to think radially is strong; when our mindset is encouraged to learn in the form of a mental map rather than through simple cause-and-effect relationships, learning to navigate complexity—the very complexity that characterises the finest tapestries and the most wonderful paintings.
What makes up this complexity, this desire to add value?
What is happening today?
We race toward technological innovation, we race to reduce time-to-market, we race to sense the emerging needs of an increasingly flexible, dynamic, and volatile world.
Environments are increasingly competitive, products change faster than the time it takes to refine them, competition is rising, and people’s needs evolve by the day, as the very world around them transforms at unprecedented speed.
As a client, what do I truly desire? What do I need?
I am looking for a service that not only serves my purpose, but resonates with who I am.
It is clear that having the tools to develop a technically flawless project is no longer enough; today, the most successful products reflect our values and the vision of who we want to be.
New capabilities are required; we need to broaden our outlook and commit to truly deep listening, picking up even the subtlest signals from the ground.
This reality applies equally to the commercial function of organisations—to those who share and bring services to market.
A canvas that could have been painted by Botticelli, or by the great Leonardo da Vinci.
FLORENTINE WORKSHOPS AND THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY
Today’s revolution has roots in the past and in the history of art.
To see this, let us step among the colours and brushes of two Italian Renaissance workshops.
In the 15th century, Florence was the cradle of two of the most significant artistic workshops, vastly different in style and approach: those of Domenico Ghirlandaio and Andrea del Verrocchio.
Ghirlandaio was celebrated for works of rich harmony and captivating detail that charmed the bourgeoisie of the day. His art was defined by shades of perfection, underpinned by impeccable technique and precision. Indeed, accuracy of reproduction was the workshop’s greatest pride—a hallmark that attracted wealthy patrons with the ever-fulfilled promise of faithfully mirroring reality.
Verrocchio, too, was renowned for incredible compositional harmony and the fidelity with which he captured the finest details, yet the outlook of the master and his pupils reached far beyond.
The workshop was a place of exchange, dialogue, and culture. The master sought to embrace diverse perspectives and explore new disciplines, even those far removed from painting; he passionately gathered a constellation of multiple viewpoints, surrounding himself with experts from every craft and field out of a pure love for discovery and innovation.
Among the artists of this workshop were Leonardo da Vinci, Perugino, and Botticelli—individuals who loved to observe and learn, passionate about every form of knowledge.
We are all familiar with Botticelli’s exquisite Primavera, but few know that the variety of plants adorning the scene could not have been painted without a botanist lending his expertise to the artist.
We are talking about continuously expanding our worldview, about the drive to push further and truly listen to every signal.
Technical reproduction is no longer enough; today, it is not enough merely to depict the visible—we must make things truly VISIBLE.
This was the approach of Verrocchio’s workshop. Rather than limiting itself to designs tailored solely to a patron’s brief, it produced autonomous works born of an artistic training that was not just professional, but cultural in the broadest sense.
Verrocchio did not ask his pupils merely to replicate reality faithfully; instead, he nurtured their desire to add value and create meaning.
Through Verrocchio’s workshop, 15th-century art was revolutionised: the artist was no longer just a skilled practitioner delivering high quality within a defined, narrow scope. The artist transitioned from an “artisan” to an “intellectual”, becoming the true creator of their work.
All of this was made possible by a generative rather than purely executive mindset, combined with keen curiosity and close engagement with the lifestyles and discoveries of the era.
It was in this very culture and school of thought that Leonardo da Vinci grew. For us, he remains a remarkable role model for anyone in a commercial or client-facing role.
LEONARDO DA VINCI: THE TRUTH BEHIND HIS “MISTAKEN” PAINTING
“From whichever perspective you look at the world, everything depends on it”
Jarabe de Palo
Today, the strongest organisations in the market communicate a message anchored in a deep framework of values. What they do is intrinsically linked to why they do it. What is more, they know how to step attentively into their clients’ shoes and understand how they can feel represented by the product or service they choose.
They truly put people at the centre.
Stepping into someone else’s perspective is precisely what Leonardo da Vinci did in the 15th century with The Annunciation. From the outset, critics scrutinised the painting, often dismissing it as a youthful mistake. Why? Looking at the Virgin Mary, her right arm appears noticeably longer than the left, and her legs seem short compared to her torso.
Yet such an error is hardly what one would expect from Leonardo.
One of the foremost authorities on Leonardo da Vinci, Carlo Pedretti, offered a different perspective: the perspective distortion was, in fact, intentional.
Viewed from an angle low and to the right, the disproportion vanishes; instead, the composition appears perfectly balanced and harmonious.
This is the result of anamorphosis, an optical technique where an image is deliberately distorted on a surface so that it can only be viewed correctly from a specific vantage point.
Indeed, it is highly likely that the painting was intended for a particular wall or within a semi-enclosed piece of furniture meant to be viewed primarily from the right.
As a visionary, artist, and inventor, Leonardo carefully studied how the observer would perceive the work, taking into account the very room in which it would hang.
A keen eye for the product, the service, and how it is communicated serves as a vital inspiration for large organisations today. Before creating, building, or transforming, we must first learn to observe, listen, and connect deeply with the system.
Here is a compelling example of what it truly means to place the person—the observer, the client—at the centre.
