The Element

How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

By: Ken Robinson Ph.D.

Narrated by: Ken Robinson Ph. D., Lou Aronica

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

The Element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. When people arrive at the Element, they feel most themselves, most inspired, and achieve at their highest levels.

The Element draws on the stories of a wide range of people: Paul McCartney; The Simpsons creator Matt Groening; Meg Ryan; Gillian Lynne, who choreographed the Broadway productions of Cats and The Phantom of the Opera; journalist Arianna Huffington; renowned physicist Richard Feynman; and many others, including business leaders and athletes. It explores the components of this new paradigm: the diversity of intelligence, the power of imagination and creativity, and the importance of commitment to our own capabilities.

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. He shows that age and occupation are no barrier and that once we have found our path, we can help others do so as well. The Element shows the vital need to enhance creativity and innovation by thinking differently about human resources and imagination. It is an essential strategy for transforming education, business, and communities to meet the challenges of living and succeeding in the 21st century.

©2008 Ken Robinson, Ph.D (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Motivating and persuasive, this entertaining and inspiring book will appeal to a wide audience." ( Publishers Weekly)
" 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)

Very educational, inspiring, thought-provoking

Robinson's challenge to the reader is to push outside the box, explore yourself, become an expert on you!

this is one of the few books I listened to twice.

I was a C student and was bored in school. I'm a baby boomer. I've been in the same profession for 27 years, it pays the bills. I also have a woodworking shop, and now I have a better understanding of why time does matter in there and why I enjoy it so much. I sent a copy to my daughter, hopefully it will be helpful for my granddaughter. she might not get put into the same cookie cutter mold.

SWISH

Thanks Ken!

I will share this knowledge with everyone I come in contact with. I Decided.

Inspiring and motivating

Well told inspirational stories of how each of us can combine our passions and talents to improve the community as a whole. Well done Sir Robinson!

Chock full of gold!

A refreshing perspective society is desperately in need of. Gives us a look at current failing education system and a unique detailed view on those that work. It's not a self help book, but will definitely make you question your path in life or provide reassurance... I love hearing about the struggles and triumphs of so many interesting people, like Matt Groening, Chuck Close, Paul McCartney, and so many more... Sir Ken Robinson definitely took his time with this gem, there are so many references, studies, interviews and quotes, I found myself going back to previous chapters to make sure I didn't miss anything (not sure if that's a good thing, if you want to get through it quickly)... First time I ever heard of the term "element" wish I knew about it growing up, I guess it's never too late to start. Can't wait to start the next one.

A Must Read

I have almost 200 titles in my Audible library and this is one of my new favorites. This book is well thought out, well written, and well read. It was valuable to me on a personal level and entertaining as well. I enjoyed listening to it so much I immediately started it over to listen again to absorb more of the material, something I have never been interested in doing with other titles. I plan to have my teenage son listen with me on the way to and from school. I am not only digging deeper to uncover my element, but much more aware of how to help nurture it and support it's development in my 3 children. Thought provoking and sprinkled with some laughs. Truly worth a listen.

The Element

This book showed up at the right time in my life. Now more than ever leaning into my authentic self and what feels right. My Element is becoming clearer and clearer.

Listening to Sir Ken

Like many I was first exposed to Ken Robinson from this TED talk. The Element is another book that should be read by leaders and passed around to work groups. It covers much of the same ground as Tribes, or Marcus Buckingham's work on Finding Your Strengths (which I use extensively in my graduate consulting course), but Robinson superior style and engaging personality make his work both enjoyable and always edifying. Where Robinson is at his best is where he makes connections with how our education system impedes students from finding their passions. At the same time, I wished for a deeper dive into our education system (particularly post-secondary education), and for a specific critique (grounded in history and political economy) for how our schools can hinder creativity. You will come away from this book even more depressed about our manic focus on testing, and even more committed to enabling the passions in your colleagues and children.

Think and Win!

Would you listen to The Element again? Why?

Excellent book. I love the stories in this book. Robinson has made this book uplifting, funny and delightful. I will listen to this many times.
Just the right amount of inspiration and reality.

What did you like best about this story?

All of it but especially the part on "Tribes" It answered a lot of questions for me.

What about Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica ’s performance did you like?

It was perfect. I don't think it could be better.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh. I am not a crier but it was good enough to elicit crying.

Any additional comments?

If you have guts, want to really live your life, are ready to get real- and do it- this is the right book for you.
Ken Robinson is spot on and is just a terrific person with a great heart.

A must read for EVERYBODY

This is an essential book for everyone looking for direction or looking to direct others in life and work. The author presents a very simple message - to follow your passion - but does so in a unique way mixing the stories of various figures, from different fields and backgrounds with humour and common sense. The narration is also surprisingly well done.