Originals Book Summary

Book Summary

15 min

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Brief Summary

The Originals by Adam Grant explores how non-conformists drive creativity and innovation. The book examines the behaviors, habits, and strategies of individuals who challenge the status quo, offering insights into how anyone can become more original. Through compelling research and stories, Grant emphasizes that taking risks, questioning traditions, and embracing diverse perspectives can lead to groundbreaking ideas and progress.

About the Author

Adam Grant is an American psychologist and author. He currently works at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He specializes in organizational psychology. At 28, he was the youngest tenured professor at the Wharton School. He graduated with a B.A from Harvard College and an M.S and PH.D from the University of Michigan in organizational psychology. He is married with three children.

Topics

Self Development Management & Leadership

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Key Insights

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘original’?

Do you think weird and freaky?

Or, do you think special and exclusive?

In Adam Grant’s, “Originals” he explains how you can be original without carrying the eccentric stigma around with you.

“Originality brings more bumps in the road, yet it leaves us with more happiness and a greater sense of meaning.”- Adam Grant

He will show you how the world needs original people and how it’s really a good thing to be your own individual person in all aspects of life.

Originality Will Help Your Career

Anybody can be an original! And, it usually starts with being curious about something. But, what exactly is an original?

An original is someone that doesn’t go by the book, who thinks up new and innovative ideas, and who is willing to take risks against modern societal thinking.

Now, being an original doesn’t mean you have to come up with some crazy invention out of nowhere. An original idea may just be something simple such as a small change that will help propel you forward.

“Being original doesn’t require being first. It just means being different and better.”- Adam Grant

Michael Housman, an economist, made an observation in his research that people who kept their default internet browser at the workplace were more likely to get bored of their position, while ‘originals’ who installed their browser of choice were more satisfied with their jobs.

To succeed in the 9-5 world, being an original is key. We all have the ability to make small changes that will help improve our work and our happiness in the workplace.

However, sometimes these small changes do require some courage. So, it is important to conquer the fear of going against the crowd.

Quantity Leads to Quality

To create new ideas requires hard work and determination. Great ideas don’t just appear out of thin air.

Brainstorming and creating a large number of ideas is a surefire way to find one that is quality. You don’t have to be naturally creative to think of the best idea. Anyone has the ability if they brainstorm!

“Practice makes perfect, but it doesn’t make new.”- Adam Grant

For example, many famous artists create hundreds of works, but how many are really famous? Picasso only had a handful of famous paintings, however, he created thousands of works in many forms.

Through research and experimentation, Psychologist Dean Simonton found that even artistic geniuses cannot determine which one of their pieces will be ‘the one’. That is why it is necessary to create many so that there is a higher chance of success.

By brainstorming and creating new ideas, you will begin to become more of a creative thinker, even if you were not creative at all before. However, you must understand that great ideas are not lining up to enter your brain. You must have patience and practice the art of brainstorming.