Why Leonardo da Vinci’s Skills Are More Relevant Than Ever in Today’s World

Most people might think of Leonardo da Vinci and thinking about someone happily sketching away on the Mona Lisa, then taking a break to tinker with a flying machine in his 'off time'.

It might seem like these types of skills and approach don't exist anymore, that this was something of the Renaissance era that is no longer.

Emphatically NO. Yes, he was kinda the ultimate Renaissance man, but his versatility wasn't an accident or some sign of those times. He just knew how to thrive across disciplines.

In today's world, this type of adaptability is absolutely required. It may not be the golden ticket to success and fame, but there's still a lot to be learned as a blueprint for career and personal growth. Learning about da Vinci isn't just an art history lesson.

So many hats

If he were to have a LinkedIn profile, he'd hit the limit of skill listings. He'd be in a grey zone that's hard to define (like a lot of us), and he'd probably have a hard time answering at parties that question that scares some of us 'so, what do you do?'. His answer would take half an hour and probably would leave people still unclear.

He was a painter, which is what he's most known for. But also? Engineer. Anatomist. Inventor.

My favorite feature of his many facets is that he was a bit of a procrastinator. Not every project he did was finished. Some of us can breathe a sigh of relief, here. He didn't quite finish a 24-foot bronze horse statue, which is a great visual.

Why did he pursue so many things? He was curious, but also times were clearly different. There was no Netflix binging then. Entertainment was different. There was a bit more brain binging. So maybe this is a bit of a sign to lay off clicking 'next episode' so much (for myself, as a note, entirely).

Why does this all matter?

In a world that demands hyper-specialization, Leonardo’s approach reminds us of the power of being a generalist. Being a little bit hard to pin down in terms of niche is ok.

Curiosity Fuels Innovation

Leonardo’s genius wasn’t in knowing everything, but in wanting to know everything. He sketched helicopters centuries before humanity figured out how to defy gravity. He studied human anatomy to paint lifelike figures, but also to just simply understand how the body worked. In today’s world, cross-disciplinary thinking leads to breakthroughs (think AI in healthcare or design in tech). Leonardo’s insatiable curiosity can be a reminder that asking “What if?” is often the first step toward greatness.

Adaptability is a Superpower

Leonardo’s versatility allowed him to pivot between roles. If a painting commission fell through, he turned to engineering projects. He took his talents to a new patron when court politics got sticky. Modern careers are rarely linear (aka 'squiggly'). Having a diverse skill set can mean the difference between being sidelined and thriving. In a job market where "lifelong learner" is practically a requirement, channeling your inner da Vinci can keep you ahead of the curve.

Combine areas to be a game-changers

Leonardo didn't see a boundary between disciplines. He had artistic flair in his scientific diagrams (people frame them and hang them up), and he pulled in a scientific rigor into his art. This type of interdisciplinary thinking is crucial to differentiation and survival in today's world. UX designers blend psychology and design, while bioengineers combine biology and technology. The ability to think across fields is what creates innovations.

Some lessons from da Vinci

• Embrace the unfinished. He left quite a few unfinished projects, but also started a lot of things. Starting is the hardest part, and there's a lot of learning in just getting started. His unfinished works were a part of his creative process. Sometimes just zoning out, working on hobbies that don't seem related or motivated can sometimes be gathering inspiration. Ask me about how much I learned about business and culture by playing Civilization.

• Learn by Doing. Da Vinci filled a ton of notebooks with ideas, and most never saw the light of day. In the world now, content creation and publication is the thing but not everything needs to be out for public consumption. Sometimes it's great to create for your own sake and yourself. Consider Tolkien's notebooks and how much of a world he created in his notes before writing Lord of the Rings, same deal. Sometimes the quiet non-public creation gets the ideas in sharper focus.

• Be Curious and Stay Weird. I'm not saying go all into cadavers like da Vinci did, or design war machines. But niche hobbies can teach a lot. A bit offbeat? Ok, fine, but just keep your brain going. Interested in coffee and software? I know a guy rebuilding espresso machines and coding up functions within it for the perfect shot of espresso. He is starting to resell them and use them in a coffee shop he bought. Lean into whatever you love, your fascination could be a cool side gig, or a very interesting party conversation.

Channel Your Inner Leonardo

• Go outside your comfort zone. Take a class in something unrelated to your field or role, it can be anything. But how that thing you are learning intersects with your skills might spark some really interesting ideas.

• Keep notes. Physical or digital, write things down. Sketch them out. The weirdest and wildest of thoughts might be an interesting breakthrough.

• Value the whole process. Not everything needs to be completed. Sometimes trying and learning is enough

• Mix things up. Think about how your interests, loves, or your side hustle can drive your professional work. The more diverse perspectives you can bring, the more you can innovate.

The legacy of Leonardo da Vinci’s goes well past his art he created or the machines he designed. It’s about the way he approached the world: with boundless curiosity, fearless experimentation, and an unshakable belief in the power of learning. In an age where versatility is more valuable than ever, we could all stand to be a little more like Leonardo.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

Title: Multidisciplinary Innovator and Designer

Top Skills:

• Advanced Illustration and Design (e.g., anatomical drawings, technical sketches)

• Prototyping and Engineering (e.g., conceptualization of flying machines)

• Research and Documentation (e.g., codices detailing art, science, and nature)

• Creative Problem Solving (e.g., designs for bridges, military devices)

• Artistic Mastery (e.g., painting techniques, composition, and perspective)