Most of the stories were gathered via direct interviews that often feature twists, turns, and surprises. Ken uses the stories of people who did find their Element and offers them to help us all do the same.

By the time they finish formal education, most don’t feel that way. Young children are confident in their own imagination and usually see themselves as being creative when they start school. Ironically, one of the main reasons is education itself.

We are all born with tremendous natural capacities, and we lose touch with many of them as we spend more time in the world.

Originally from a working-class Liverpool family, Robinson now lives in Los Angeles with his wife Marie-Therese and children James and Kate. He was Director of The Arts in Schools Project (1985–89), Professor of Arts Education at the University of Warwick (1989–2001), and was knighted in 2003 for services to education.

Sir Ken is an English author, speaker, and international advisor on education in the arts to governments, non-profits, education, and arts bodies.

If you read it a while ago, my summary will be a good review. If it’s not on your shelf, click the icon below to get your copy. The stories about people from a wide variety of fields entertain and inspire.

Ken explores the conditions that lead us to live lives filled with passion, confidence, and personal achievement. The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Ken Robinson, PhD (©2009, Penguin Books: New York, NY) deals with the point where natural talent meets personal passion.

The element sir ken robinson