Elephant and the Flea: Reflections of a Reluctant Capitalist

I recently re-read this book as well as Charles Handy's later work, Myself and Other More Important Matters, and thoroughly enjoyed both even more this second time around than I did when they were first published. Each is part memoir, part autobiography, and part social commentary. Immediately, Handy establishes and then sustains a direct and personal rapport with his reader. The tone is conversational. With regard to the title, Handy observes: "Elephants and fleas is an odd metaphor, equally unflattering to both groups. I hit upon it by chance when looking for a way, in a public lecture, to explain why large organizations needed irritant individuals or groups to introduce the innovations and ideas essential to their survival. After the lecture I was struck by the number of people who came up to me, either proclaiming themselves to be a flea or lamenting the ponderous gait of the elephant where they worked. The analogy, it seemed, had caught their imagination, so I persevered with it. Like all analogies, however, it should not be pushed too far. Useful for attracting attention, it is not in itself a recipe for solutions, but as a broad description of one divide in modern society it serves its purpose. It is, for instance, the elephants who get all of the attention while most people actually work as fleas or for a flea organization." These comments are especially relevant to Handy at one point in his career (in 1981) when he embarked on a transition from being an "elephant inhabitant to independent flea," hoping that there would be greater value in the freedom of independence "over the dubious security of employment." He did not then and has not since viewed himself as a role model for others. He asks his reader to "regard this book as an encouragement to wrote your own script for a part in the very different world that lies ahead of us." Some readers may find it difficult to follow Handy's line of thought as he moves from one subject to the next, indeed from one period in his life to another, without regard for chronological or even logical sequence. To repeat, he offers an immensely personal narrative that combines spontaneity with rigor. He is a very clear thinker but his thoughts are seldom developed in a linear pattern. Over the course of the ten chapters, the reader shares Handy's reflections about his childhood and youth in an Irish vicarage, his education at Oxford, his executive assignments to the Far East within the Royal Dutch/Shell organization, and his chairmanship of the Royal Society of Arts. Only later in his life did he gain increasing attention and renown as a social commentator and business thinker. Of special interest to me is what Handy discusses in Part II, "Capitalism Past, Present, and Future" (Chapters 4-6). For example, after suggesting how the "new elephants" will differ from their predecessors, he identifies four challenges they will face and each suggests a paradox of direct relevance to both elephant inhabitan

You may think that here is yet another business book designed to sell the authors tapes, lectures, consulting services, etc. You may be right. You may also find that reflection on a life lived for decades can provide insight and inspiration that you cannot find in your mile a minute world. I first encountered Handy in a Fast Company article. He was discussing his fathers life and his fathers death. I won't spoil the lesson he learned (it is worth reading for yourself) but at the end of the day it poses a question...., "How many lives can one person affect at a truly deep and meaningful level, while never straying more than a few miles from home?" The answer may surprise you and cause you to reflect on your own lifes purposes and meaning. A worthwhile read. Cheers!

Handy continues to be a business writer who's candor and direct writing style makes his books a delight to read. Much like Drucker, his subject matters address common, shared lessons that apply both at a macro and micro level. In this read, Handy delivers personal lessons from his youth onto the present day. For those who appreciate he's previous books (especially empty raincoat and the hungry spirit), this is well worth the read.

Charles Handy has been an oil company executive, a university lecturer, and a much sought after convention speaker. A 48 year old advertising executive was complaining to Handy that there were no longer any jobs in the ageist advertising world for people like him. While he was talking, the electrician repairing the wiring in Handy's home put his head round the door to say he would be back in a week. "I'm sorry," he said, " but I've got too many jobs on at the moment.""That was the future," Handy told this his account executive; lots of clients for the independent worker, but fewer and fewer jobs for full-time executives of large organizations. The employee-oriented society of the twentieth century had delivered so much that was good. It had replaced the world of the individual farmer/craftsman/merchant. The new flea-oriented world that Charles Handy sees is "fraught with insecurity, uncertainty, and fear."`We don't want that sort of world' people say.Handy is sympathetic. "I, too, didn't much like the worst of world that I saw emerging, but wishing it away was not going to help."In 1996, 67% of British businesses have only one employee, the owner. In 1994, employees with less than five people represented 89% of all British businesses. This is a book about how to survive as a flea and in world of few elephants and many fleas. It is written in typical Charles Handy humor and insight. It is also his most personal book to date. ELEPHANT AND THE FLEA is easy to read and too important to ignore.BOARD OPTIONSwww.boardoptions.comTel. 617-371-2995

Mr. Handy's book sets forth some very original insights on democracy and the current challenges facing large organizations. Most significant to me, as a newcomer to "Fleadom" the book encouraged me to revisit my thoughts from a personal, family, societal and professional point of view. Mr. Handy's book was both inspirational and pragmatic.