The 12 Books of Christmas | Adam Grant on The Science of Achieving Greatness
Intelligence Squared
Deep Dive
Why did Adam Grant start his book 'Hidden Potential' with a story about a chess team?
Grant started with the story of the Raging Rooks chess team to illustrate the importance of character skills like discipline, determination, and pro-social behavior in achieving success, even in the face of significant disadvantages. The story highlights how these 'soft skills' can be taught and developed to unlock hidden potential.
What is the origin of the term 'soft skills'?
The term 'soft skills' originated in the U.S. Army in the 1960s. It was used to describe skills like leadership, collaboration, and resilience that didn't involve working with physical tools or weapons, which were considered 'hard skills.' The term was meant to differentiate between technical and non-technical skills, but it has since been criticized for undervaluing these essential abilities.
How did Adam Grant's experiment with his students improve their test scores?
Grant allowed his students to nominate classmates they believed were experts on certain questions, and if those classmates answered correctly, they would receive the points. This led to group study sessions where students taught each other, creating a collaborative learning environment. The students who taught the material ended up learning it better, and the class average improved by 3%.
What lesson did Adam Grant learn from teaching Air Force generals?
Grant learned that asking for advice rather than feedback can lead to more constructive and actionable suggestions. By reframing the conversation from 'feedback' to 'advice,' he was able to receive tips that helped him improve his teaching style and connect better with his audience.
Why does Adam Grant ask for a score out of 10 after his talks?
Grant uses the score as a way to gauge how significant the feedback or advice he receives will be. A score of 8 or higher indicates minor adjustments are needed, while a lower score suggests more significant changes. This helps him prioritize the feedback and make the necessary improvements.
What advice does Adam Grant give to someone trying to improve at a difficult skill like calisthenics?
Grant suggests embracing the discomfort of the challenge and finding ways to make the process enjoyable, such as setting personal goals or pairing the activity with a reward. He also recommends deliberate play, where you alternate between different skills to deepen learning and avoid monotony.
How does Adam Grant view the replication crisis in psychology?
Grant believes the replication crisis is a sign of science evolving and becoming more rigorous. While some studies may not replicate, he argues that the overall trend of scientific progress is positive. He also points out that replication issues are not unique to psychology and exist in other fields like cancer biology.
What did Adam Grant learn from working with Sheryl Sandberg?
Grant learned the importance of setting extremely high standards for work. Sheryl Sandberg's relentless focus on precision and clarity in communication transformed Grant's writing process, leading to better and more polished books. Her dedication to constant revision and improvement had a lasting impact on his work ethic.
How did Adam Grant improve his writing after being told he needed remedial lessons?
Grant focused on improving the structure of his arguments by explaining ideas out loud to people unfamiliar with the subject matter before writing them down. This helped him overcome the 'curse of knowledge,' where experts struggle to explain concepts to novices. His writing improved by making his ideas more accessible and clear.
What is the key to learning languages according to the polyglots featured in 'Hidden Potential'?
The polyglots emphasize the importance of speaking the language from the beginning, even if it means making frequent mistakes. They advocate for embracing discomfort and seeking out opportunities to practice, rather than relying solely on reading or writing. This approach helps learners internalize the language faster.
- Character skills are more important than innate talent for success
- The term 'soft skills' originated in the US Army and undervalues these crucial skills
- Developing character skills at any stage of life can unlock potential
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