World Economic Forum
Adam Grant: The key trait future leaders need to succeed - and rethinking the classic workday
Feb 28, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and best-selling author, explores the vital soft skills needed for future leaders. He argues for a focus on creativity and collaboration in modern workplaces, while also introducing the concept of 'job crafters.' Grant shares insightful lessons from his college job as a magician, emphasizing the importance of engaging skeptics. He also advocates for a 'To-Don’t' list to boost productivity and a four-day work week to enhance innovation in teams.
33:20
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Quick takeaways
- Organizations must prioritize collaborative abilities and soft skills, shifting focus from individual output to collective success for future effectiveness.
- Leaders need to adapt to changing work environments by fostering innovative structures that promote creativity and free idea exchange among employees.
Deep dives
The Importance of Soft Skills in Today’s Workplaces
Many organizations primarily evaluate employees based on individual output, emphasizing metrics like revenue generation or coding efficiency. However, this approach neglects the significance of individuals who uplift and elevate others, which is a crucial aspect of organizational collaboration. Most organizations struggle to measure and develop these soft skills effectively, resulting in a C minus performance in this area. Elevating team success requires a shift in focus towards collaborative abilities that promote collective advancement rather than just individual achievements.
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