In 'Hidden Potential,' Adam Grant dismantles the myth that success is primarily due to innate talent. He argues that potential is not fixed but can be cultivated over time through effort, persistence, and continuous learning. The book emphasizes the development of 'character skills' such as proactivity, determination, and the ability to embrace discomfort and learn from failure. Grant uses compelling stories of late bloomers and underdogs who achieved greatness through sheer determination, highlighting the importance of support systems, motivation, and the willingness to push beyond comfort zones. The book offers a new framework for raising aspirations and exceeding expectations, applicable in various domains from education to the workplace and beyond[2][4][5].
In 'Think Again', Adam Grant argues that the ability to rethink at personal, interpersonal, and collective levels is crucial in today's polarized world. He uses scientific research, personal anecdotes, and engaging stories to illustrate how people can find joy in being wrong, leverage the benefits of impostor syndrome, and cultivate environments of lifelong learning. Grant emphasizes the need to challenge our convictions, adopt a scientific mindset, and foster curiosity and humility. He provides examples of individuals who have successfully rethought their approaches, from firefighters to business leaders, and offers practical exercises for improving rethinking skills[2][4][5].
We live in a world that celebrates and rewards talent. Whether it’s gifted students, outstanding athletes or born musicians, we applaud those who get there effortlessly, instead of those who travel furthest to reach the same place. In doing so, my guest today believes we also overlook our own potential to do great things.
Adam Grant is an organisational psychologist, University of Pennsylvania professor, podcaster, and the bestselling author of multiple books. His latest book, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, is a thought-provoking look at what it really takes to succeed, how to find joy in progress, and why the true measure of potential is not how high you reach, but how far you came to get there.
Adam believes that many of us rule ourselves out of learning more or trying harder because we lack self-belief and strength of character. But character, he says, is not innate – it’s a skill we can learn. If your personality is how you show up on a typical day, then character is how you show up on a hard one.
In our conversation, we discuss how every single one of us can unleash our own hidden potential. We discuss the importance of character skills such as generosity, why it’s good to be one of life’s givers, but how it can lead to burnout and threaten our potential.
We also cover perfectionism and discuss why this trait has been on the rise since the 1980s. From a fear of trying new things, to a refusal to work on your weaknesses, it’s clear that only accepting your best is a sure-fire way to limit growth.
Adam also explains why hobbies are so important for us, especially when it comes to beating burnout. We also talk about the importance of flow state and the best ways in which we can parent our children to enable them to achieve their own innate potential.
Adam’s philosophy is that confidence is a result of progress not the precursor to it. This conversation is jam packed with potential – especially if you use it as a springboard to take action.
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Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee 
