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Adam Grant

Adam Grant

6 books · 24 interviews

self-help · behavioral-economics · communication · creativity

What they argue

Adam Grant is a thinker who explores the psychological and social dynamics of human behavior, particularly in professional and collaborative environments. He focuses on how social infrastructure, mindset, and cognitive skills like 'thinking again' can influence individual growth and organizational culture.

  1. The Three Archetypes of Social Exchange

    Humans generally fall into three categories of social exchange: Givers (who provide without expecting anything back), Takers (who seek to get as much as possible), and Matchers (who trade equally).

    From Give and Take (book)

  2. Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

    A fixed mindset assumes intelligence and talent are static; a growth mindset views them as muscles that can be developed through effort.

    From Hidden Potential (book)

    • Says much the same Kenneth H. Blanchard — The Growth Mindset of LeadershipLeadership is a skill set that can be developed through intentional practice rather than a gift some are born with. True leadership is measured by the growth of the…Great leaders grow
    • A related idea Satya Nadella — Growth-Oriented vs. Zero-Sum MindsetThis is a shift from viewing competition as a battle over fixed resources to viewing it as an opportunity to expand the total market. It focuses on expanding the total…547. Satya Nadella’s Intelligence Is Not Artificial

  3. Rethinking vs. Recreating

    Recreating is the act of making a better version of what already exists (improving the how). Rethinking is the act of questioning why we do something at all and imagining an entirely different way.

    From Originals How Non-Conformists Move the World (book)

  4. The 'Think Again' Mindset

    The 'Think Again' mindset is the deliberate, effortful process of questioning our assumptions and updating our mental models based on new evidence.

    From Think Again (book)

    • Says much the same Malcolm Gladwell — The Rethinking CycleTo break out of "overconfidence cycles," individuals should treat their own convictions as hypotheses to be tested. This involves identifying a hypothesis, seeking…Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant
    • Says much the same Matthew Brensilver — Don't-Know MindThis is a state where an individual stops clinging to personal opinions and remains radically open to the possibility of being wrong. Cultivating this state leads to…The Hidden Secret To Smarter Decision-Making, Better, Relationships, And Lower Stress | Matthew Brensilver, Vinny Ferraro, Kaira Jewel Lingo

  5. Character Skills vs. Cognitive Skills

    Character skills are often dismissed as 'soft skills,' but they are the foundation of success and are often two to three times more predictive of success than technical skills.

    From Adam Grant on the Science of Potential and Achievement (episode)

    • Says much the same John C. Maxwell — The Talent-Character RelationshipTalent is a "multiplier" for success, but character is the "base" that determines the final result. If a leader's character is zero, their talent cannot produce…Talent Is Never Enough
    • Says much the same David Brooks — Character as CraftCharacter is not an innate gift but a skill set and 'moral muscle' developed through intentional, repetitive practice and consistent habits. This stands in contrast to…The Road to Character

  6. Normal vs. Neurotic Perfectionism

    Normal perfectionism is aiming for high standards of excellence with a positive vision of the future. Neurotic perfectionism is a fear of failure, driven by the anxiety of being seen as flawed.

    From Adam Grant on Perfectionism and Procrastination (episode)

  7. The Importance of Giving

    While Takers often win in the short term, Givers build the trust and social capital necessary for long-term success and healthier organizational cultures.

    From Give and Take (book)

Every idea names the summary it came from. Written by a local model from this mind’s own work, never from memory.

Books 4

Interviews 8

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