Originals

About the Author

Adam Grant is an esteemed organizational psychologist and a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Known for his expertise in finding motivation and meaning in work, he has been the top-rated professor at Wharton for seven consecutive years. Grant's influence extends beyond academia through his five bestselling books, including Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World. His works have been recognized as some of the best books of the year by numerous prestigious entities and have garnered praise from luminaries like J.J. Abrams, Richard Branson, and Malala Yousafzai.

Main Idea

Originals by Adam Grant delves into the lives and habits of some of the world's most influential nonconformists. The book provides insights into how originality can be fostered in individuals and organizations. Grant examines the common misconceptions about creativity and innovation, highlighting that originality is not the preserve of a few geniuses but a trait that can be nurtured in everyone. The book also explores how parents, teachers, and leaders can create environments that encourage original thinking and action.

Table of Contents

• The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers
• Recognizing and Championing Original Ideas
• Fostering Originality in Children
• Overcoming Groupthink in Organizations

The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers

Many of the world's most eminent and influential people were not child prodigies. They were not necessarily the best in their fields but rather those who dared to take risks and think differently. Grant challenges the notion that genius and creativity are innate. He states, "Practice makes perfect, but it doesn’t make new." Instead of aiming for unique accomplishments, people often choose safer paths to success, resulting in lost opportunities for groundbreaking ideas.

“Achievement becomes more highly valued than creation. Instead of aiming for unique accomplishments, we take the safer, more certain road to success. Great ideas are lost along the way.” – Adam Grant

Grant shares examples of historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and John Adams, who became leaders of monumental change not by choice but through the influence of those around them. This insight underscores the idea that anyone can make a significant impact by championing original ideas within their own spheres of influence, be it workplaces, schools, or communities.

Recognizing and Championing Original Ideas

One of the key challenges in fostering originality is identifying which ideas have the potential to succeed. People often produce a high quantity of ideas, but not all of them are winners. Grant emphasizes the importance of relying on sheer numbers to increase the chances of hitting on successful ideas, much like Thomas Edison and Mozart, who are remembered for only a handful of their many creations.

“Even the most eminent creators typically produce a large quantity of work that’s technically sound but considered unremarkable by experts and audiences.” – Adam Grant

Grant advises turning to colleagues for feedback, particularly those with enough distance to offer honest appraisals. This approach helps mitigate the inherent bias we have towards our own ideas and increases the likelihood of identifying truly innovative concepts.

Fostering Originality in Children

Grant explores the impact of birth order on creativity and risk-taking, revealing that laterborns are more inclined to embrace radical ideas and societal progress. However, he points out that parenting practices play a more significant role than birth order itself. By giving children the freedom to explore and take risks, parents can foster originality.