What Demonstrates Your Skill

Giotto (1266-1337) was a man of immense talent. He was a sculptor, a painter and an architect. When Pope Benedict XI heard about him, he sent a messenger to ask Giotto for a drawing to demonstrate his skill. He intended to commission paintings for the Basilica of St. Peter.

The messenger arrived and asked him for a drawing. In front of the messenger, Giotto took a canvas, dipped his brush on red paint and drew a circle, the most perfect circle. The messenger was visibly displeased and demanded another drawing, to which Giotto replied that it should suffice.

The messenger went back with Giotto’s circle along with drawings from other masters. When the drawing reached the Pope, his advisers quickly realized Giotto’s incredible skill and Giotto got the job.

Giotto’s circle is a simple yet elegant display of technical expertise in his field that took years to master, no frills, no bs.

What is your circle?

How can you demonstrate your skill in the simplest possible way?