5. “…we are likely to end up where we
are headed”.
Chinese proverb
6. From now on when you notice these paths…take the chance…and see
the new wonders that open up for you!
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Serendipity means a "happy accident" or "pleasant
surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding
something good or useful while not specifically
searching for it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serendipity
Serendipity is the “faculty of making fortunate
discoveries by accident”.
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/serendip/about.html
13. In a letter dated January 28, 1754, Walpole
Who do we thank for this described a discovery relating to a portrait as:
wonderful word?
“…almost of that kind which I call serendipity, a
very expressive word, which as I have nothing better
to tell you, I shall endeavour to explain to you: you
will understand it better by the derivation than by
the definition. I once read a silly fairy tale called
The Three Princes of Serendip: as their highnesses
travelled, they were always making discoveries, by
accident and sagacity, of things which they were not
in quest of… now do you understand serendipity?"
Horace Walpole (1717-97), fourth Earl of
Orford, son of Prime Minister Robert
Walpole, connoisseur, antiquarian and
author of the famous gothic novel, The http://livingheritage.org/three_princes.htm#
Castle of Otranto (London, 1765).
14. But are such “happy accidents”
entirely… accidental?
15. Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)
“…chance only favours
The inventor of the process of pasteurization
the mind which is
prepared…”
1854, as Dean of Faculty of Sciences at Lille,
speaking of a physicist and the almost
http://www.pasteurbrewing.com/articles/life-of-
pasteur/louis-pasteur-chance-favors-prepared-
mind/173.html and
"accidental" way in which he discovered the basic
http://www.biography.com/people/louis-
pasteur-9434402 principles of electro-magnetism
16. • Vacation, travels and adventures…
• Scientific discoveries…
• But what does this have to do with our
careers and professional lives?
17.
18. The Prepared Mind of a Leader : Eight Skills Leaders Use
to Innovate, Make Decisions, and Solve Problems
Bill Welter and Jean Egmon
For flexibility, innovation and change, apply these skills:
• Observing
• Reasoning
• Imagining
• Challenging
• Deciding
• Learning
• Enabling
• Reflecting
20. John D. Krumboltz:
The Happenstance Learning Theory
“The Happenstance Learning Theory (HLT) is an
attempt to explain how and why individuals follow
their different paths through life…In a nutshell, the
HLT posits that human behavior is the product of
countless numbers of learning experiences made
available by both planned and unplanned situations
in which individuals find themselves”.
Krumboltz, J.D. (2009). The happenstance learning theory. Journal of Career Assessment, 17(2), 135-154.
21. Krumboltz :
“learn to engage in exploratory actions as a way of
generating beneficial
unplanned events.”
“learn to reframe unplanned events into career
opportunities.”
22. John D. Krumboltz:
The Happenstance Learning Theory
• Think about a chance event you wish would happen to you.
• What can you do now to increase the likelihood of that
desirable event?
• How would your life change if you acted?
23. To move towards professional success:
• Spend time on self-reflection
• Be curious, ask questions
• Learn about things and people that interest you
• Be prepared to act on an opportunity that suddenly
presents itself
• Take chances and do not fear making mistakes
• Stay open to new ideas
