The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

Robinson, Ken; Aronica, Lou

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1846141966 ISBN 13: 9781846141966

Publisher: Allen Lane, 2009

The element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. This groundbreaking new book is all about how every one of us can find our element, connecting with our true talents and fulfilling our creative potential. Creativity expert Ken Robinson believes that we are all born with tremendous natural capacities, but that we lose touch with them as we spend more time in the world. Whether it's a child bored in class, an employee being misused or just someone who feels frustrated but can't quite explain why, too many people don't know what they are really capable of achieving. Education, business and society as a whole are losing out.

The Element draws on the stories of a wide range of people - from ex-Beatle Paul McCartney to renowned physicist Richard Feynman and many others, including business leaders and athletes - showing how all of them came to recognize their unique talents and were able to make a successful living doing what they love.

With a wry sense of humour and a sense of optimism, Ken Robinson looks at the conditions that enable us to find ourselves in the element, and those that stifle that possibility. He shows that age and occupation are no barrier and he argues that there is an urgent need to enhance creativity and innovation by thinking differently about ourselves.

Review:

""The Element" offers life-altering insights about the discovery of your true best self." --Stephen R. Covey, author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
"Ken Robinson presents the theme of creativity and innovation in a way that makes you want to go out and make your dreams a reality. In his wonderfully easy-to-read and entertaining style he presents the stories of many who have done just that. . . . It is a book that lightens and lifts the minds and hearts of all who read it." --Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., bestselling author of "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway(R) "and "Life is Huge!"
"A great and inspiring book. It's been said that an unexamined life is not worth living. True enough and Ken Robinson doesn't let us off the hook. After the first page, you have to abandon your ego and look for your own gifts and graces." --Warren Bennis, author of "On Becoming a Leader: The Leadership Classic"
"Robinson ("Out of Our Minds"), renowned in the areas of creativity development, innovation, and human resources, tackles the challenge of determining and pursuing work that is aligned with individual talents and passions to achieve well-being and success. . . . Motivating and persuasive, this entertaining and inspiring book will appeal to a wide audience." --"Publishers Weekly"
"Ken Robinson is a remarkable man, one of the few who really look at and into you, so he makes you feel at ease and happy. I'm proud to be in his book as one of the people he feels attained the Element. Reading his book helps you pinpoint the search we must all make to achieve the best in us." --Gillian Lynne, choreographer, "Cats" and "The Phantom of the Opera"
"While the world is changing faster than ever, our organizations, our schools, and too often our minds are locked in the habits of the past. The result is a massive waste of human talent. "The Element" is a passionate and persuasive appeal to think differently about ourselves and how to face the future." --Alvin Toffler, author of "The Future Shock"
"A brilliant and compelling look at creativity, and the path to succeed in the global world of tomorrow." --Harry Lodge, co-author of "Younger Next Year"

"The Element" offers life-altering insights about the discovery of your true best self. Stephen R. Covey, author of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"
Ken Robinson presents the theme of creativity and innovation in a way that makes you want to go out and make your dreams a reality. In his wonderfully easy-to-read and entertaining style he presents the stories of many who have done just that. . . . It is a book that lightens and lifts the minds and hearts of all who read it. Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., bestselling author of "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway(r) "and "Life is Huge!"
A great and inspiring book. It s been said that an unexaminedlife is not worth living. True enough and Ken Robinson doesn t let us off the hook. After the first page, you have to abandon your ego and look for your own gifts and graces. Warren Bennis, author of "On Becoming a Leader: The Leadership Classic"
Robinson ("Out of Our Minds"), renowned in the areas of creativity development, innovation, and human resources, tackles the challenge of determining and pursuing work that is aligned with individual talents and passions to achieve well-being and success. . . . Motivating and persuasive, this entertaining and inspiring book will appeal to a wide audience. "Publishers Weekly"
Ken Robinson is a remarkable man, one of the few who really look at and into you, so he makes you feel at ease and happy. I m proud to be in his book as one of the people he feels attained the Element. Reading his book helps you pinpoint the search we must all make to achieve the best in us. Gillian Lynne, choreographer, "Cats" and "The Phantom of the Opera"
While the world is changing faster than ever, our organizations, our schools, and too often our minds are locked in the habits of the past. The result is a massive waste of human talent. "The Element" is a passionate and persuasive appeal to think differently about ourselves and how to face the future. Alvin Toffler, author of "The Future Shock"
A brilliant and compelling look at creativity, and the path to succeed intheglobal worldof tomorrow. Harry Lodge, co-author of "Younger Next Year""

The Element offers life-altering insights about the discovery of your true best self. Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Ken Robinson presents the theme of creativity and innovation in a way that makes you want to go out and make your dreams a reality. In his wonderfully easy-to-read and entertaining style he presents the stories of many who have done just that. . . . It is a book that lightens and lifts the minds and hearts of all who read it. Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., bestselling author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway(r) and Life is Huge!

A great and inspiring book. It s been said that an unexaminedlife is not worth living. True enough and Ken Robinson doesn t let us off the hook. After the first page, you have to abandon your ego and look for your own gifts and graces. Warren Bennis, author of On Becoming a Leader: The Leadership Classic

Robinson (Out of Our Minds), renowned in the areas of creativity development, innovation, and human resources, tackles the challenge of determining and pursuing work that is aligned with individual talents and passions to achieve well-being and success. . . . Motivating and persuasive, this entertaining and inspiring book will appeal to a wide audience. Publishers Weekly
Ken Robinson is a remarkable man, one of the few who really look at and into you, so he makes you feel at ease and happy. I m proud to be in his book as one of the people he feels attained the Element. Reading his book helps you pinpoint the search we must all make to achieve the best in us. Gillian Lynne, choreographer, Cats and The Phantom of the Opera
While the world is changing faster than ever, our organizations, our schools, and too often our minds are locked in the habits of the past. The result is a massive waste of human talent. The Element is a passionate and persuasive appeal to think differently about ourselves and how to face the future. Alvin Toffler, author of The Future Shock
A brilliant and compelling look at creativity, and the path to succeed intheglobal worldof tomorrow. Harry Lodge, co-author of Younger Next Year"

"The Element offers life-altering insights about the discovery of your true best self." --Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

"Ken Robinson presents the theme of creativity and innovation in a way that makes you want to go out and make your dreams a reality. In his wonderfully easy-to-read and entertaining style he presents the stories of many who have done just that. . . . It is a book that lightens and lifts the minds and hearts of all who read it." --Susan Jeffers, Ph.D., bestselling author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway(R) and Life is Huge!

"A great and inspiring book. It's been said that an unexamined life is not worth living. True enough and Ken Robinson doesn't let us off the hook. After the first page, you have to abandon your ego and look for your own gifts and graces." --Warren Bennis, author of On Becoming a Leader: The Leadership Classic

"Robinson (Out of Our Minds), renowned in the areas of creativity development, innovation, and human resources, tackles the challenge of determining and pursuing work that is aligned with individual talents and passions to achieve well-being and success. . . . Motivating and persuasive, this entertaining and inspiring book will appeal to a wide audience." --Publishers Weekly

"Ken Robinson is a remarkable man, one of the few who really look at and into you, so he makes you feel at ease and happy. I'm proud to be in his book as one of the people he feels attained the Element. Reading his book helps you pinpoint the search we must all make to achieve the best in us." --Gillian Lynne, choreographer, Cats and The Phantom of the Opera

"While the world is changing faster than ever, our organizations, our schools, and too often our minds are locked in the habits of the past. The result is a massive waste of human talent. The Element is a passionate and persuasive appeal to think differently about ourselves and how to face the future." --Alvin Toffler, author of The Future Shock

"A brilliant and compelling look at creativity, and the path to succeed in the global world of tomorrow." --Harry Lodge, co-author of Younger Next Year

From the Back Cover:

Praise for OUT OF OUR MINDS: Learning to be Creative
'I shall add Ken Robinson's absorbing account of creativity to my personal list of gems. I was sorry to reach the end of the text, as it had maintained its momentum throughout. The reading may finish, but the thinking goes on, just as you would expect from a book on this intriguing subject'
The Times Educational Supplement

'A truly mind-opening analysis of why we don't get the best of people in a time of punishing change'
The Director

'This well-written book focuses on the widening gulf between academic institution teachingsand the feelings, emotions and imagination that drive us as humans'
Arts Professional

'I recommend that you read the book, take part in the debate and become part of the new paradigm'
People Management

'This book will stimulate and challenge'
Professional Manager