The Element

Outline

The Element (2009) explores what happens when people find their element, the place where natural talent meets personal passion. Ken Robinson shares stories of well-known people who discovered their calling, often after struggling in school, and explains how education systems can overlook creativity and different kinds of intelligence. The book encourages readers of all ages to discover their strengths and pursue what truly inspires them.

• Your element is the place where a natural talent meets a personal passion, and finding it unlocks your potential.
• Many well-known people discovered their calling only after struggling in school, so early difficulty does not decide your future.
• Education systems can overlook creativity and the different kinds of intelligence that people have.
• Finding your element is not limited to the young; readers of any age can discover their strengths.
• Pursuing what truly inspires you is the path the book encourages, rather than settling for what is expected.

Ken Robinson, with Lou Aronica, brought together a leading voice in education and an experienced writer. Robinson (1950–2020) was a British educator and adviser on creativity whose talk Do Schools Kill Creativity? became one of the most watched talks of all time. Aronica is an American author and publisher. Together they wrote The Element, Finding Your Element, and Creative Schools.