Think Again
Adam Grant

Summary

A book on how our thinking is flawed and how we can change it

Notes

We listen to views that make use feel good instead of those that make us think hard

‘Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything’ - George Bernard Shaw

The higher your IQ, the more likely you are to fall for stereotypes

If knowledge is power, knowing what we don’t know is wisdom

The less intelligent we are in a domain, the more likely we are to overestimate our actual intelligence in that domain (Dunning Kruger effect)

Confidence is a measure of how much you believe in yourself

Imposter syndrome can make you work harder, smarter and betters learners

Never let your beliefs come from part of your identity

Separate task conflict from relationship conflict. Argue about the task at hand and never attack a person’s identity

In negotiations, find what you agree upon with the other side

• Consider the strongest version of their case and then counter

When negotiating, always focus on 1-3 main points, don’t dilute the message

Ask more questions of the counterparty to make it like a dance instead of a war

Many beliefs are cultural truisms: widely shared but rarely questioned

Use motivational interviewing to get people to change their mind

• Open ended questions
• Reflective listening
• Reaffirm person’s desire to change
• Summarize the findings back to them

Knowledge is constantly evolving

Valedictorians aren’t likely to be future visionaries, they settle into the system rather than shake it up

Quality means rethinking, reworking and polishing

In a learning culture, people need psychological safety and process accountability. The have to be willing to experiment

People most certain about their careers in their twenties have the deepest regrets in their thirties

Have people ask career check-in questions every year: am I happy doing this?

Have life check-ins every year

Our actions, not surroundings, give us meaning and belonging

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