The Ant and the Elephant: Leadership For the Self (Hardcover)

by Vince Poscente (Author) "Many years ago in the African savannah, something extraordinary happened..." (more)
Key Phrases: positive dominant thoughts, pattern busters, dot reminders, Adir's Notes, Remember the Drops, Brio the Wise Owl (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A wonderful parable with powerful lessons for all of us. I can't stop thinking about it. -- Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and Death By Meeting

It gets to the heart of unlocking your true potential! -- Mark Victor Hansen, coauthor of The One Minute Millionaire, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series

Read this book, enjoy the story, but most importantly, put the lessons into action and reap the rewards. -- Peter Hearl, President and Chief Concept Officer, Pizza Hut, Inc.

Product Description
A renowned speaker, business consultant, record-setting speed skier and Olympian, Vince Poscente believes in the enormous potential of the unconscious mind. Poscente likens the dynamic between the conscious and subconscious minds to an ant and an elephant: "Our minds are separated into two distinct functions – the conscious and subconscious elements. Our ant is the intentional part of the brain, but our elephant is the instinctual, impulsive part of the brain that houses emotions and memories and even guides the body to perform vital functions. While we tend to know our conscious minds – our ants – rather well, we often overlook the power of our elephantine subconscious minds. When we do, unfortunately, we squander a wellspring of human potential." Having seen too many books focused on what a problem or solution is and too few focused on how to solve the problem, Poscente, with his trademark wit, wisdom and steely resolve, created The Ant and the Elephant – Leadership for the Self: A Parable and Five-Step Action Plan to Transform Workplace Performance.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Be Invinceable Group; First Edition edition (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974640360
• ISBN-13: 978-1893430143
• ASIN: 1893430146
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #129,704 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awaken Your Elephant Within!, January 12, 2005

By	Zev Saftlas "Founder and Host of EmpoweringMe... (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Vince Poscente has created a powerful little book that will propel you to be the best you can be. Written as a quick read using an entertaining allegory between an ant and the elephant, the book contains strategic tools that you can use to create peak performers personally and personally.

Vince also weaved in his great sense of humor that had me laughing out loud! The crux of the book is his five-step program that he calls the 5 C's. Here are the 5 C's that you will learn about in the Ant and the Elephant:

1. Clarify your vision.
Make fear your friend, not your master. You don't know what you don't know. Open your mind to discover possibilities that may not be obvious at the time. Zero in on a goal that has depth of meaning. The journey has to be worth taking.

2. Commit to cultivating positive dominant thoughts.
Shift beliefs, attitudes and truths so they are in alignment with your vision. Envision having the goal, rather than merely wanting the goal.

3. Consistently focus on performance.
Experience the goal as though it were happening right now. Show your gratitude consistently.

4. Strengthen confidence.
Frustration will lead to negative thoughts. Negative thoughts add fuel to more negativity. This negativity can be a pattern that destroys confidence. No two thoughts can occupy the mind at the same time. Replace negativity with positive, confident thoughts.

5. Control the response to any situation.
Unforeseen circumstances will arise. Expect the unexpected. Anticipate your response to challenges as well as your team's.

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works and founder of EmpoweringMessages.com

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really helpful leadership guide!, November 20, 2006

By	Claudia Kishi "Claudia Kishi" (Hartford, CT) - See all my reviews

This book is great for anyone looking to get better control over themselves and their leadership skills. I thought the story and the analogy were both really unique and interesting, and it gives a concrete image of an abstract idea. This book is already changing the way I approach problems now, and I hope to become even better at controlling my subconscious in the future. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in bettering themselves as a leader AND as a person.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Parable for Future Leaders, November 20, 2006

By	Grant Reeves (Washington) - See all my reviews

This book is a five-step approach to leadership and improvement within both the business and personal aspects of life. It is an easy and short read that opens readers' eyes to discovering their true potential and ability to perform. Using characters such as an ant and an elephant to relay the story, it teaches the reader some valuable lessons that can be put to use in many areas of one's life.