As one era ends, a new one begins, set to create a whole new generation of success stories: the top five new ones according to one view: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_lynn&sid=anNVEz7waoO4

The metaphors with which we habitually think are crucial, and fascinating to consider. Since the body is our primary experience of the world, it does seem useful to use it as a metaphor. But I think there’s a dangerous limitation in localizing “the brain” in the head. The entire system is the brain, as it senses, feels, thinks, and acts. Just because we have a word for ‘body’ and one for ‘mind’ doesn’t mean they are distinct. “Body-mind” might be a better term. If feedback from the feet is ignored, for example, the entire system can be brought down. And since employees want to be recognized more than they want to be paid well, it suggests how powerful a participatory corporate culture could be. 3M, for example, has done pretty well letting its “children” play on company time.

The internet works much more like a body, with global feedback coursing through its ‘nervous system.’ I think its enthusiastic adoption embodies a cultural shift which values the more (so-called) feminine values of attention, connection, sharing, and cooperation. This, I understand, is what Herb Kelleher brought to Southwest Airlines, for example.

So let’s keep the body metaphor, but expand the reach of its awareness, its sensitivity, and its capacity to respond with the power, speed and grace of a martial artist.