Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and best-selling author, dives into the art of rethinking. He discusses the necessity of adapting opinions when faced with new information and emphasizes the value of psychological safety in teams. Grant also delves into the balance between belonging and individuality in social groups and the power of reflective thinking in decision-making. With insights on fostering productive conversations, he advocates for embracing flexibility in identity and values over rigid beliefs for personal and organizational growth.
Flexibility over consistency is key to voicing and changing opinions effectively.
Attaching identity to values, not beliefs, fosters a mindset of continuous learning.
Creating psychological safety in organizations promotes open communication and willingness to rethink views.
Deep dives
Importance of Openness to Changing Opinions
It is crucial to be open to changing one's opinions when voicing them, as they should be open to better logic or stronger data. This responsibility to be receptive to changing opinions reflects a scientific mindset that values flexibility over consistency.
Challenges of Rethinking and Updating Views
Rethinking one's opinions can be challenging, as individuals often tie their identity to their beliefs. The fear of feeling unpredictable or losing status creates resistance to changing views. Encouraging individuals to attach their identity to values rather than beliefs can help foster a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation.
Building Psychological Safety for Rethinking
Creating a culture of psychological safety within organizations is essential for promoting open communication and the willingness to rethink views. Leaders can enhance psychological safety by encouraging self-criticism, demonstrating vulnerability, and fostering a culture that values trust and respect. By normalizing vulnerability and self-awareness, teams can engage in constructive dialogues that support continuous learning and improvement.
The Importance of Belonging and Diverse Views
Belonging to unique groups serves as a way to manage existential fears and connect to something greater than oneself. People seek predictability, control, and inclusion through being part of distinct groups. Changing someone's views involves engaging in a respectful 'dance' of conversation where both sides move, step forward or back, creating a rhythm. Expert negotiators focus on common ground and ask genuine 'how' questions to cultivate intellectual humility and encourage open-mindedness.
Embracing Curiosity and Flexibility in Decision-Making
Embracing being 'wrong' as a pathway to learning and growth is essential in making well-informed decisions. It is vital to detach personal identity from ideas and opinions, treating all views as hypotheses. Revisiting and possibly reframing binary biases into nuanced spectrums can lead to more adaptable and insightful perspectives. Creating structured decision-making processes that prioritize deep thinking and time for reflection can enhance learning and lead to more thoughtful outcomes.
Celebrated organizational psychologist and author Adam Grant provides compelling insight into why we should spend time not just thinking, but rethinking. In this episode we cover how to change our own views, how to change the views of others, hiring processes, psychological safety, tribes and group identity, feigned knowledge, binary bias, and so much more. Grant is a Professor of Psychology at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the author of five books, including his most recent release, the New York Times bestseller Think Again. He also serves as the host of WorkLife, a TED original podcast.
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