The Executive and the Elephant: A Leader's Guide for Building Inner Excellence

by Richard L. Daft

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. 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.

Genres: Business, Management, Buisness, Leadership

336 pages, Hardcover

First published June 22, 2010

Reviews

[Abhideep Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using the analogy of the Executive for the conscious-decision making part of our brain and the Elephant for the instant gratification seeking part, the book tries to help you by asking you to take charge of your lives. You might pick up a couple of interesting things here and there from the book that you could inculcate in your daily life. The book brings a sort of positivity in your otherwise dull life. There is nothing in the book that would blow your mind.

[Michael Gardiner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Usual mix of guruistic and psychology mumbo jumbo: ‘close your eyes. Imagine you have 10 hours to spare. Stop reading this crap and prioritise your life for 10 Mins’

[Dennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good calming exercises and advice

[Hossein Nasrabadi]

فصل پنجم این کتاب به منظور افزایش تمرکز روی کار می تونه راهگشا باشه

[Siddhartha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptionally crafted to deal with oneself. It made me change the way I see things. More power to you..

[Kirill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Книга Ричарда Дафта «Руководитель и слон» посвящена возможностям и метододам практического воздействия на наше внутреннее Я. Метафора наедника на слоне (руководителя) и слона (внутреннее Я) используется в книге для того, чтобы показать, что не все наши поступки можно объяснить рациональными решениями наедника (руководителя). Самую важную часть решений иногда принимает за нас наш «слон», именно он выбирает жизненно важные модели поведения любого человека, слон отвечает за наши сиюминутные желания, потребности, действия. Решения слона заставляют нас делать то, о чем мы впоследствие будем жалеть.

Книга разделена автором на три части. В первой части вводятся основные понятия, которые автор будет будет использовать в течение всей книги, задаются методолические и клинические основы книги. Рассказано, как применяется теория внутреннего Я в клинической практике и к каким результатам она приводит.

[Nc · Rating 2 out of 5]

The content is pretty common sense and is written in a casual and overly-generalized tone. The first section of the book comforted me in that others have similar thoughts as I do that make us distracted and procrastinate on important things. I have mixed-feelings on the second half of the book. Being a simple and generalized book, many of the solutions were intuitive. However, if you spend a lot of time reflecting on the questions it posed, and thinking back to your own personal situations, then the book can be of some help. It is less of a case-study type book, but more of a self-help and meditation style book.

[PeterBlackCoach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this as one of the best business books of 2010 and can see why. It provides both much theory and practice as to how our inner"executive" can be derailed by our inner "elephant" - both as individuals and leaders - and for me, draws together many concepts that are used in various instruments (Hogan, Herrmann Brain, Myers Briggs), the various readings on the brain as well as teachings from Buddhist and Hindu cultures. It also highlights the value of an external coach who can provide feedback and keep a control on your elephant!

PB

PB

[Jaime Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with helpful tools to improve as a leader by taking the head approach. Highly recommended for those trying to change their ways in improvement. Each chapter provides examples and suggested practices to implement.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book just didn't do it for me. It didn't feel original. It seemed more like a lot of psychological mumbo-jumbo than sound leadership advice. Although I loved the concept of the book, the actual material just didn't deliver like I hoped it would.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I caught a glimpse of the other reviews which were not so favorable , but I actually liked it. i thought the ideas and suggestions could be helpful to making conscious choices to gain better control over self.i recommend for anyone who struggles with distractions or making impulse decisions.

[Egor Gurev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Интересная книга про управление самим собой. Первая половина книги очень захватывает, но вторую часть с медитацией, мантрой не осилил. Прочитал на 86%, единственная в моей жизни книга которую бросил читать практически в самом конце.

[Delhi Irc]

Location: GG7 IRC
Accession no: DL026715

[Suyash · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book with some good tips especially in the later chapters.

[Kary Beck · Rating 2 out of 5]

drags on. just couldn't finish it.