The Executive and the Elephant

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. Based on current research and real-life examples Offers leaders a method for directing themselves more productively 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.

Preface vii Acknowledgments ix Part One The Two Selves 1. The Problem of Managing Yourself 3 The Conflict Between Knowing and Doing The Universal Failure of Willpower The Divided Self: Executive and Elephant Learning to Lead from Your Inner Executive Purpose of This Book 2. Recognize Your Two Selves 15 Levels of Consciousness Two Voices Within Why Your Mind is Filled with Automatic Thoughts Unfocused Elephant Mind Versus Focused Executive Presence Small Box Versus Large Mind Part Two Ways You May Mislead or Delude Yourself 3. Three Tendencies That Distort Your Reality 37 Your Internal Judge Your Internal Magician Your Internal Attorney 4. Every Leader’s Six Mental Mistakes 52 Reacting Too Quickly Inflexible Thinking Wanting Control Emotional Avoidance and Attraction Exaggerating the Future Chasing the Wrong Gratifications Part Three How to Start Leading Yourself 5. Engage Your Intention 71 Visualize Your Intention Verbalize Your Intention 6. Follow Through on Your Intentions 90 Write Down Your Intentions Set Deadlines Design Tangible Mechanisms 7. Calm Down to Speed Up 107 Get Connected Let ItHappen Sit by Your Problem Relax Your Body Calm Your Elephant by Acting the Part or Making a Gentle Request 8. Slow Down to Stop Your Reactions 125 Stop and Think Stop Interrupting Detach from Your Emotions and Impulses Just Say No Employ Punishment Part Four Become Aware of Your Inner Resources 9. Get to Know Your Inner Elephant 147 Know Yourself Solicit Feedback Take Advantage of a Setback 10. Expand Your Awareness 162 Review the Day Contemplate Creatively Part Five Reach for the Heights 11. Sharpen Your Concentration 177 Focus Your Attention Focus on Means, Not Ends Slow Down, Look, and Listen Focus on People 12. Develop Your Witness 192 Turn Inward to Develop Your Witness Use Radical Self-Inquiry Who Am I? 13. Reprogram Yourself 209 Repeat a Mantra Prayer May Help, but Not the Way You Think 14. Mend Your Mind with Meditation 223 Why Meditate? An Easy Way to Start Two Essentials Mindfulness Meditation Try Visual Rather Than Verbal Contemplative Meditation Part Six Can You Lead from a People Frame of Reference? 15. Change Your Frame to See People 243 What is Your Frame? From Leading Objects to Leading Humans How to Change Your Frame 16. Change Your Frame to Ask Questions 261 From Answering Questions to Asking Questions In All Things, Consult 17. Living and Leading from Your Inner Executive 275 Higher Consciousness Revisited When Her Mind Went Quiet Answers to Individual Questions Final Thoughts Notes 294 About the Author 311 Exercise Index 313 Index 317