Fast Company interviewed Business School Deans in it's September 2003 issue. Patrick Harker of The Wharton School discusses his successful leadership of a $425 million fund-raiser. He shared one interesting secret of success. It's actually a tradition practiced in Benedictine Monasteries called "listening to the voice of David." Before a decision is made, the Abbot asks everybody's opinion starting with the youngest. "The order is intentional," says Harker. "In the Bible, nobody listens to David. There were plenty of gizmos with which to fight Goliath, and David was dismissed as a punk kid with a slingshot. In the end, the kid was right."
Harker says, "When I've made a good decision, it's usually because I've listened to the voice of David. And when I've made a poor decision, it's usually because I haven't taken time to listen."
Isaiah 11:6 says, "A little child shall lead them." The younger you are the less you have to unlearn. You don't know what can't be done! You have fresh ideas because you have fresh eyes. Sometimes those fresh ideas are naive ideas. Long live naivety!