Psychologist Adam Grant discusses his book on unlocking hidden potential. They talk about filtering feedback, the benefits of imperfectionism, and the importance of giving soft skills more respect.
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Quick takeaways
Embracing imperfectionism and discomfort is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Soft skills, such as proactivity and determination, are often more important than cognitive skills in achieving success.
The reflected best self-portrait exercise helps individuals uncover their strengths and hidden potential through feedback from others.
Deep dives
Unlocking Hidden Potential
Author and podcast host Adam Grant discusses the concept of hidden potential. Grant explains that we often judge our potential based on our starting point or natural talents, overlooking the growth that can occur by focusing on the distance we can travel. He shares personal stories of how individuals can surpass expectations and achieve greater things by embracing discomfort, putting themselves in new situations, and cultivating determination and resilience. Grant suggests that instead of seeking perfection, embracing imperfectionism allows for growth and progress. He also explores the importance of finding mentors and coaches who are a few steps ahead but still close enough to understand our challenges. Lastly, Grant introduces the "Reflected Best Self" exercise, which helps individuals identify their strengths and hidden potential through feedback from others.
Understanding the Power of Character Skills
Adam Grant emphasizes the significance of character skills, also known as soft skills, in achieving success. He explains that these skills, such as proactivity, discipline, and determination, play a vital role in personal and professional growth. Grant shares research showing that character skills are often more important than cognitive skills in predicting future success. He discusses the impact of experienced teachers on developing character skills in students and highlights the need to prioritize character development alongside academic achievement. Grant challenges the notion that expertise automatically translates into effective teaching, urging individuals to seek mentors and coaches who possess not only expertise but also the ability to guide and inspire growth.
Being a Proactive Sponge for Growth
Grant introduces the concept of being a proactive sponge, drawing inspiration from the characteristics of sea sponges. He explains that being a proactive sponge goes beyond absorbing information and feedback. It involves actively filtering what we take in and what we expel out, seeking valuable input from credible, familiar, and caring sources. Grant discusses the importance of discomfort and failure in the learning process, emphasizing the role of mistakes in triggering brain plasticity. He also urges individuals to seek advice rather than feedback, as advice allows for forward-thinking and actionable insights. Grant explores the benefits of embracing discomfort and imperfection in the pursuit of growth and highlights the value of the tutor effect and coaching in unlocking hidden potential.
Examining the Power of Imperfectionism
Grant delves into the concept of imperfectionism and its role in unlocking hidden potential. He challenges the pursuit of perfection by explaining that perfectionism often leads to avoiding situations where failure is possible, hindering growth. Grant suggests calibrating our expectations based on the stakes involved, aiming for excellence in areas critical to our goals while accepting imperfections in less consequential areas. He shares personal experiences, including his journey in diving, to illustrate the limitations of perfectionism. Grant encourages individuals to identify the right imperfections to accept in order to focus on growth, and highlights the importance of embracing imperfectionism to avoid stagnation.
Unlocking Hidden Potential in Others
Grant discusses the potential of helping others unlock their hidden potential. He introduces the reflected best self-portrait exercise, which involves reaching out to people who know us well and asking them to share stories about when we were at our best. By collecting and analyzing these stories, individuals can gain insights into their own strengths and discover hidden potential they may be unaware of. Grant also encourages individuals to reverse this exercise and offer sincere, specific feedback to others, helping them recognize their own hidden potential. He emphasizes the impact of guiding others to uncover their strengths and the importance of supportive relationships in personal and professional growth.
Psychologist Adam Grant stops by to talk with Maya about his new book "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things." They talk about how to filter out unhelpful feedback, the benefits of imperfectionism, and why we need to give soft skills more respect.
If you enjoyed this episode, check out Adam’s first time on the show: “Adam Grant Thinks Again.”
