Adam Grant On Hidden Potential And Measuring Yourself Against Yourself | The Daily Stoic

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic” podcast, Ryan Holiday interviews Adam Grant, a bestselling author and organizational psychologist at Wharton. They discuss Adam’s new book, “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things,” and explore topics such as measuring oneself against oneself, the concept of character, and the impact of character on team dynamics.

Main Takeaways

Unlocking Hidden Potential

• Adam Grant’s new book, “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things,” explores how to unlock hidden potential in individuals and organizations.
• The book emphasizes the importance of measuring oneself against oneself, rather than against others.
• Measuring oneself against oneself is how you fulfill your potential.
• Fulfilling your potential is about reaching your own hidden potential, not an objective one.

The Role of Character

• Character is a set of learned skills for translating principles into practice, according to Adam Grant.
• Ryan Holiday sees character as predictive, meaning that it determines where someone will end up.
• Character skills can be situation-specific, and hidden potential can be activated by changing the situation.

Impact of Character on Team Dynamics

• Teams with big egos and narcissistic players tend to stagnate over the season.
• Narcissistic players who put their ego above the team’s mission can wreak havoc on the group.
• Hiring a narcissistic player can send a signal that the organization tolerates such behavior, which can affect the team’s values and principles.
• Over time, players with strong character are less likely to want to join or stay with a team that doesn’t walk its talk.

Developing Character Skills

• Three skills for sustained growth: seeking discomfort, being a human sponge, and becoming an imperfectionist.
• Embracing discomfort is necessary for growth, but there is a knowing-doing gap, and we must put ourselves in uncomfortable situations often and intensely to see real progress.
• Being an imperfectionist means having different bars for different projects and avoiding excessive perfectionism.

Seeking Feedback and Advice

• Instead of asking for feedback, ask for advice to receive actionable suggestions for improvement.
• Seek targeted advice by asking people what should be cut or what isn’t working.
• Use good filters when seeking feedback, considering credibility and expertise on specific topics or goals.

Overcoming Setbacks and Failure

• Self-compassion is more important than self-esteem, confidence, motivation, and growth.
• Progress can be measured by how much less you beat yourself up and how much more you talk yourself up.
• Being open to feedback and using it to improve can create a psychologically safe environment for further feedback.

Encouraging Growth in Organizations

• Organizations should change their systems to encourage risk-taking and learning from failure.
• Having a diverse range of perspectives and expertise can be beneficial for growth and avoiding potential pitfalls.
• Leaders should focus on hiring a diverse team of people with different perspectives and expertise.

Summary

Unlocking Hidden Potential and Measuring Oneself Against Oneself

In Adam Grant’s new book, “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things,” he emphasizes the importance of measuring oneself against oneself rather than against others. By focusing on fulfilling one’s own hidden potential, individuals and organizations can unlock greater achievements. This concept of self-measurement allows for personal growth and avoids unhealthy comparisons with others.

The Role of Character in Personal and Team Success

Adam Grant and Ryan Holiday discuss the concept of character and its impact on personal and team success. Grant sees character as a set of learned skills for translating principles into practice, while Holiday views character as predictive, determining where someone will end up. They explore how character influences team dynamics, with narcissistic players and big egos hindering team growth and success.

Developing Character Skills for Sustained Growth

Grant and Holiday delve into the skills necessary for sustained growth, including seeking discomfort, being a human sponge, and becoming an imperfectionist. Embracing discomfort and avoiding excessive perfectionism are crucial for personal and professional development. They discuss how character skills can be situation-specific and how changing the situation can activate hidden potential.

Seeking Feedback and Overcoming Setbacks

The speakers explore the importance of seeking feedback and advice for improvement. They highlight the need for targeted advice and using good filters to ensure the credibility and expertise of those providing feedback. They also emphasize the role of self-compassion and resilience in overcoming setbacks and failures, creating a psychologically safe environment for growth.

Encouraging Growth in Organizations

Grant and Holiday discuss the importance of organizations changing their systems to encourage risk-taking and learning from failure. They highlight the benefits of having a diverse range of perspectives and expertise within teams and leadership positions. By focusing on hiring a diverse team, organizations can avoid tunnel vision and promote growth.

Conclusion

In this episode, Adam Grant shares insights from his new book, “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things,” emphasizing the importance of measuring oneself against oneself and developing character skills for personal and professional growth. He discusses the impact of character on team dynamics and provides strategies for seeking feedback, overcoming setbacks, and encouraging growth in organizations. By embracing discomfort, avoiding excessive perfectionism, and fostering a psychologically safe environment, individuals and organizations can unlock their hidden potential and achieve greater things.