The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Ken Robinson, Lou Aronica (Contribution by)

From Barnes & Noble

The element referred to in the title is the place where natural talent and personal passion converge. The author, a respected speaker on creativity and self-fulfillment, persuasively contends that identifying this sweet spot is not as difficult as it may sound. To prove his point, he tells the stories of creators as disparate as Paul McCartney, Paolo Coelho, and Vidal Sassoon. However, the author doesn't pretend that we can make it alone; he emphasizes the central role that mentors and creative communities can play in nurturing our talents. A refreshingly un-gimmicky approach to a cherished subject.

From the Publisher

A breakthrough book about talent, passion, and achievement from one of the world's leading thinkers on creativity and self-fulfillment.

The Element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. When people arrive at the Element, they feel most themselves and most inspired and achieve at their highest levels. With a wry sense of humor, Ken Robinson looks at the conditions that enable us to find ourselves in the Element and those that stifle that possibility. Drawing on the stories of a wide range of people, including Paul McCartney, Matt Groening, Richard Branson, Arianna Huffington, and Bart Conner, he shows that age and occupation are no barrier and that this is the essential strategy for transform­ing education, business, and communities in the twenty-first century.

Publishers Weekly

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. The element is what he identifies as the point where the activities individuals enjoy and are naturally good at come together. Offering a wide range of stories about the creative journeys of different people with diverse paths to the element-including Paul McCartney, The Alchemist author Paulo Coelho, and Vidal Sassoon as well as lesser-known examples-he demonstrates a rich vision of human ability and creativity. Covering such topics as the power of creativity, circles of influence, and attitude and aptitude, the author emphasizes the importance of nurturing talent along with developing an understanding of how talent expresses itself differently in every individual. Robinson emphasizes the importance of mentors and reforming and transforming education, making a convincing argument bolstered by solid strategies for honing creativity. Motivating and persuasive, this entertaining and inspiring book will appeal to a wide audience. (Jan.)

Lucille M. Boone - Library Journal

Motivational speaker and educational consultant Robinson (Out of Our Minds: Learning To Be Creative) argues that modern educational methods from the time of the industrial revolution are stifling innovation and creativity when these are most needed. He calls for an end to specialization and recognition of the diversity of intelligence. For Robinson, the goal of education should be finding one's "Element," the meeting of one's individual passion and talent. When supported by people who nurture and encourage creativity, individuals are more likely to discover their Element, discern their life ambitions, and find ways of reaching them. It's never too late to reconsider roads not taken and change course, even if it means becoming an amateur, that is, one who finds fulfillment in something other than a job. This holistic view of human potential, educational reform, and self-realization is illustrated with stories of famous and everyday people who overcame obstacles to discover their Element. This is not a self-help book-Robinson's goal is "to illuminate...concepts that you might have sensed intuitively"-but it doesn't succeed at being something larger. Recommended for large public and academic libraries where there is interest, but not essential.

What People Are Saying

"Every once in a while, someone writes a book that sheds a compelling new light on a subject. Ken Robinson's insight into creativity has done just that. This book is filled with succinct yet brilliant ideas, is replete with vivid examples, and offers timeless application. The Element transcends traditional thought on how we think about and develop people in virtually any setting. Reading this provocative book will help business leaders, school administrators, parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to unleash the potential associated with people finding and applying their passions in life."--(Suzanne J. Peterson, Ph.D.- Professor of Management and Leadership, W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and Executive Coach, CRA Inc.)

Harry Lodge
"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)

Susan Jeffers
"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. This is a valuable book for educators and community leaders . . . most importantly, 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® and Life is Huge!)

Warren Bennis
"A great and inspiring book. It's been said that an un-examined 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)

Gillian Lynne
"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)

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents