Courses, Big Think

Unlocking your team’s hidden potential with Adam Grant

10 lectures, 1 hr 3 min in all

Wharton professor and organizational psychologist Adam Grant argues it’s time to stop obsessing over “natural talent.” He grew up feeling like he wasn’t especially good at anything — and that experience shaped a more hopeful message: where you start doesn’t determine where you can end up with solid guidance and practice. In this class, Grant shares a better alternative: focus on potential, not polish. He suggests leaders actively look for early signs of growth, give people the guidance and practice they need to improve, and use a simple, motivating phrase that helps team members rise to the challenge and perform at their best. Learning objectives: Break up patterns of groupthink in favor of fresh perspectives. Model psychological safety while coaching others to reach their potential. Frame feedback productively so it’s positively received and beneficial. Focus your hiring process on the potential for culture contribution and learning. Identify and nurture those capable of both abstract and concrete thinking.