Saturday, May 13, 2023

The Wisdom of Adam Grant

The youngest professor at Penn, Adam Grant says he's far from perfect. Students offered him the chance at investing in their business. He asked about their model, their business plan, progress on their online platform. They said they'd get to it. He declined. Their business? Warby-Parker online eyeglasses, a raging success. 

Let's learn from what he's written. 

Lessons from Give and Take:

He classifies people as givers, matchers, and takers. Perhaps surprising, the most and least successful are the givers. Give too much and end with nothing. "Ambitious givers" do the best. 

He gives examples of people unwilling to share, including credit. The famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright wouldn't credit junior associates for ideas or help. His business suffered dramatically. Jonas Salk was a 'credit hog' while developing a polio vaccine. His selfishness pre-empted selection to the National Academy of Sciences or winning a Nobel Prize. 

This lengthy thread shares some of his life observations: 

I'll break out a few. 


Good ideas come from anywhere, not just our imagination. Be open to ideas and think for yourself. "Does that sound right?"

Safeguard your mental health. Don't let others 'gaslight' you. 

 You're part of the team because you earned it. You have a bigger role because you're impacting team success. Believe in yourself. 

Character isn't what others say about you. It's about who you are. 

As Maya Angelou reminds us, "people will never forget how you made them feel." 

Being ready to lead means putting the mission and others first. Simon Sinek reminds us of that in his book, "Leaders Eat Last." 

Lagniappe. Focus on daily development

  • Skill (technique) 
  • Strategy (tactics, game understanding)
  • Physicality (strength and conditioning)
  • Psychology (resilience, emotional toughness) 


Do the work.  

 

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