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The Weekly Take from CBRE

Challengers: Adam Grant on questioning conventional wisdom and making better decisions

Apr 7, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Adam Grant, a Wharton organizational psychologist and New York Times-bestselling author, shares powerful strategies for innovative decision-making. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating a 'challenge network' for honest feedback and promotes the idea of pre-mortems to foresee potential failures. Grant also advocates for humor and humility in leadership, along with the pursuit of 'better practices' over 'best practices.' Listeners will discover valuable insights on navigating doubt, fostering curiosity, and encouraging open dialogue in organizations.
30:09

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Building a challenge network of trusted critics fosters honest feedback, enhances decision-making, and mitigates the risks of overconfidence.
  • Effective leaders balance data analysis with qualitative insights, adapting their strategies to remain innovative and competitive in dynamic environments.

Deep dives

The Importance of a Challenge Network

Establishing a challenge network is vital for personal and professional growth. This network consists of individuals who provide honest feedback, helping one to recognize their blind spots rather than simply offering comforting affirmations. Adam Grant emphasizes that the people within this network should be trusted critics who encourage honest discussions, even if the truths they present are unpleasant. By actively seeking out input from this network, leaders can improve their decision-making process and avoid the trap of overconfidence.

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