Does anyone even know what a renaissance man is?

The dictionary says “a person with many talents or areas of knowledge“.

There was a time not that long ago that a renaissance man we much sought after for their knowledge. But sadly it seems these days’ folks just don’t show much respect to these men (and women) that have spent a lifetime learning a great deal about a great many things.

I worked with an 84-year-old carpenter. I was in my 20’s. Every day I would carry this man’s toolbox into the job site for him because it was hard for him to carry at his age. Now I was quite capable of carrying both his and mine. I was raised to show respect for my elders, to me, that was all I was doing. I did this because It was how I was raised.

But what that man taught me has lasted a lifetime. I help him with the heavy lifting and he would share his tips, he was indeed a master craftsman! He did NOT share his knowledge with everyone, but rather a few young men that show him respect. I was one of those lucky young men and the others that he would not share these treasures disliked anyone that was lucky enough to be given these tips.

So what does this have to do with renaissance man? His tips were not just about woodworking, but about learning everything you can about anything. He had worked, every day through the depression. Now that meant one day you drove the truck, the next you repaired it. He was able to feed his family during a time when others couldn’t all because he learned that to eat, you have to work. I remember in a job interview one manager told me “you’ve never worked in the granite business”! Which was true I (at that time had no experience in that field). But the owner spoke up and said, “That is true he doesn’t, but that’s a good thing”. He went on to say that he could easily teach me the details of the granite business because as he called it “he has transferable skills”.

What he was really saying is that “he’s a modern renaissance man”. I got the job by the way, but that is a different story for another time.

These days’ young men want to start out as the boss and bypass working their way up the ladder. But you miss out; you need the time to learn from a few masters along the way. Remember there is no shame in any kind of “work” that will bring in the money to support either your family or just yourself. Those little jobs can be gold mines of knowledge because they teach you what you like and dislike when working.

Don’t be afraid to take on a task at work that is not in your job description if it is something that will leave you with more knowledge than before. Always be learning, always growing in your knowledge base so someday someone may call you a renaissance man!