Lessons for leaders on resolving the ongoing struggle between instinct and the creative mind. Kings, heads of government, and corporate executives lead thousands of people and manage endless resources, but may not have mastery over themselves. Often leaders know that right action is important, but have little (if any) understanding of what prevents them from acting in accordance with their intentions. In this important book, leadership expert Richard Daft portrays this dilemma as a struggle between instinct (elephant) and intention (the executive) using the most current research on the intentional vs. the habitual mind to explain how this phenomenon occurs.
The Executive and the Elephant is based on current research and real-life examples. It offers leaders a method for directing themselves more productively and was written by an expert in leadership, organizational performance, and change management.
Through real-life examples and recent studies in psychology, management, and Eastern spirituality Daft provides guidance to all of us who struggle finding our own balance and cultivating the behavior of others.
©2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (P)2012 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
"I wish I read this 20 years ago.."
Touches on many areas that have been a challenge for me as a manager and business professional. Well written and narrated (narrator is not the author); also well researched touching on eastern and western philosophies and approaches to meditation. Describes many situations that are common in every day life and work - getting cut off by another car while driving your kids to soccer practice. Do you react? Elephant. Do you let it go? Executive.
The concept of watching your own thoughts, almost as if a 3rd party, was the most memorable moment. Since hearing that concept I have done this regularly - and it works. It works all the time. This is not a pure conceptual book, it has exercises that the author encourages the reader to practice, immediately.
No. Good narrator. A little too emphatic at times, but overall very good.
I've listened end-to-end twice so far and will again.
"Okay, but...."
I don't think I would try another book by Richard L. Draft
This is an okay book with some good information, but i think at times he is just trying to add information just to lengthen the book. This is going to take some nimble teeth to get through. A better book is "The Power of Habit", it covers a lot of the same information, but is better put together, has better illustrations, and is better read by the narrator.