SIR KEN ROBINSON (1950-2020) | The gardener does not make a plant grow. The job of a gardener is to create optimal conditions for growth.
One of my favorite TED talks is “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” by the late Sir Ken Robinson. You can view it here. At last count, his lecture has been viewed more 40 million times by an estimated 350 million people in 160 countries and remains one of TED’s most popular presentations.
In his book, The Element, Robinson also relates an interesting story about the nature of creativity.
In the 1960s, a rather unremarkable student at the Liverpool Institute in England often found it difficult to focus on his studies. Instead, he spent hours listening to rock music and practicing the guitar. Though he was passionate about music, he despised the school’s music lessons. His teachers insisted that classical compositions were the only way to cultivate musical appreciation, but he found these lessons just as boring as his other classes.
He managed to go through his entire education without anyone ever noticing that he possessed even a hint of musical talent. In fact, he had even applied join the Liverpool Cathedral choir only to be turned down as they didn’t think his singing talents warranted consideration.
Another unremarkable student at the Liverpool Institute likewise struggled academically and had trouble relating to his teachers. In 1959, the two friends graduated from the school into obscurity without any notable qualifications.
A few years later, the duo joined two other musicians to form a little band you might have heard of…The Beattles. Imagine, the Liverpool Institute graduated half of the biggest band in history…and completely missed it.
According to Robinson, the moral of the story is that talent is often deeply buried and must be sought after as it’s usually not just lying around in plain sight.
Consider for a moment…what are you missing? In your spouse? Your children? Your friends? Your co-workers? Your neighbors? There may be a treasure just below the surface…or perhaps even a bit deeper…that requires some digging, sifting, discerning.
You just might have a Paul McCartney or a George Harrison right in front of you. Perhaps a Martha Graham, Picasso, Maya Angelou, or George Lucas. But this isn’t about “famous” people…it’s about creating an environment for your son or daughter to thrive as the best version of themselves.
Don’t miss it. Please. Nurturing that little seed could very well produce a harvest that inspires a generation, and you can play an important part in that. In fact, many will thank you for it…including me.
I highly recommend The Element as a source of both inspiration and encouragement. According to Robinson, finding your “element” is where your natural talent converges with your deepest passion. It's a transformative space where work feels like play and effort feels like flow. The Element tells numerous stories of extraordinary individuals that illustrate this profound truth. Paul McCartney's musical genius. Matt Groening's visionary creativity with The Simpsons. Meg Ryan's captivating performances. Gillian Lynne's brilliant choreography for Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. Physicist Richard Feynman’s unparalleled intellect. These icons (along with many others) serve as vivid examples of how discovering your element can redefine your life.
What fuels this new paradigm? The recognition that intelligence is diverse, imagination is powerful, and creativity is boundless. And these elements are not reserved for a select few; they are within everyone, waiting to be unlocked. Embracing this mindset means understanding that our capabilities are vast and that commitment to nurturing these talents is crucial. The Element dissects the conditions that allow us to thrive, revealing that supportive environments, opportunities for creative expression, and the freedom to pursue our passions are essential. Conversely, it exposes how rigid systems and narrow definitions of success can stifle our potential.
Age and occupation? They’re irrelevant when it comes to finding your element. This book proves that once you tap into your true path, limitations fall away. It’s never too late to discover your calling, and once you do, the journey doesn’t stop there. You have the power to inspire and guide others on their paths as well. The Element is a clarion call to break free from conventional constraints and embrace a life driven by passion and purpose, showing us the happiness that awaits when we step into our true design.
SIR KEN ROBINSON (1950-2020) | If you can light the spark of curiosity in a child, they will learn without any further assistance.