Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant

BATB score: 6.5/10 🙄

*reader discretion advised* BATB is starting to get really bored, annoyed, and tired with productivity books. In the spirit of mental health, can you please shut up?

BATB lingering thought: well, if you read all of Adam Grant’s books then you got to read his new book right? ahe.

Best to: this book has forty key takeaways; FORTY! I know he knows that FORTY is a little bit too much

Best as: reference book for a lot of instagram-mable graphs and smarty Adam Grant quotes ie. Seek Discomfort! Ask for Advice not Feedback! Compete with Yourself! Redefine Success! You see how it’s like noisy?

Best for: in all respect it’s a good book esp for those who are still trying to be something more, good job Adam Grant!

BATB linger thought: shit, Adam Grant is only 42 years old and this is his 4th book; oh frog, more to come. I believe it makes sense that you write productivity books as that’s what society believes we need - need to be more productive as a sign of success. OK. For popularity and sales, it makes sense.

Best quotes: “Being polite is withholding feedback to make someone feel good today. Being kind is being candid about how they can get better tomorrow.”

“A critic sees your weaknesses and attacks your worst self. A cheerleader sees your strengths and celebrates your best self. A coach sees your potential and help you become a better version of yourself.”

“Did you make yourself better today? Did you make someone else better today? If the answer to either question is yes, it was a good day.”

“The goal is not to be the smartest person in the room but to make the entire room smarter.”

“Weak leaders silence voice and shoot the messenger. Strong leaders welcome voice and thank the messenger. Great leaders build systems to amplify voice and elevate the messenger.”

“There is more than one star in the sky and more than one goal and purpose in life.”