The Work of Adam Grant

• Rated as Wharton’s Top professor for seven straight years.
• Author of several bestselling books translated into over 35 languages.
• Host of the popular TED original podcast “Work Life.”

Key Books Discussed

1. Book: Give and Take

How giving, taking, and matching behaviors influence success

Types of People

•   Givers: Help others without expecting anything in return

•   Takers: Prioritize their own interests and take from others

•   Matchers: Balance giving and receiving, expecting reciprocation

Key Insights:

  – Givers build expansive, helpful networks and better reputations

  – Weak Ties: Less close connections can be more beneficial than strong ties

  – Success Factors: Successful givers balance self-interest with helping others and are strategic in their giving

  – Empathy: Givers visualize others’ perspectives, aiding their success

2. Book: Originals

Fostering originality and creativity in individuals and organizations

Concepts:

• Generating Ideas: Quantity leads to quality; generate many ideas to find the best ones

•  Procrastination: Can be a tool for creativity, allowing more time for ideas to develop

•  Evaluating Ideas: Seek feedback from experts and target audiences to judge the quality of ideas

• Birth Order and Originality:

  • Younger Children: More likely to be rebellious and original due to fewer rules and greater freedom

  • Parenting Tips: Encourage moral values over specific rules to nurture creativity

Group Performance:

  – Collaboration over Competition: Leads to higher success

  – Givers in Groups: Enhance overall performance and foster a supportive environment

Combating Groupthink:

  – Encouraging Dissent: Promote open feedback and assign devil’s advocates to challenge ideas

  – Leadership Styles: Powerless communication builds trust and fosters collaboration, effective in managing up and with peers

Book: Option B (with Sheryl Sandberg):

Building resilience after personal loss

Strategies:

    – Acknowledging Adversity: Openly discuss and confront grief

    – Seeking Support: Reach out to community and friends

    – Personal Growth: Emphasize self-care and find joy in small moments

    – Gratitude and Goals: Practice gratitude and set realistic, achievable goals

NY Times Article on Languishing

A state of stagnation and emptiness, between depression and flourishing

Strategies to Combat Languishing:

  – Small Goals: Set and achieve small, daily goals

  – Flow Activities: Engage in activities that challenge and engross you

  – Connecting with Others: Discuss feelings and experiences with friends and family

  – Mindfulness and Gratitude: Practice mindfulness and keep a gratitude journal

Key Quotes and Insights from Adam Grant

– On Hiring Originals:

 “If you don’t hire originals, you run the risk of people disagreeing but not voicing their dissent.”

– On Leadership: 

“Strong leaders engage their critics and make themselves stronger. Weak leaders silence their critics and make themselves weaker.”

– On Creativity: 

“Procrastination may be the enemy of productivity, but it can be a valuable resource for creativity.”