Book Review: ‘Think Again’ by Adam Grant

Reflecting on the numerous ever-changing environments and complex situations in which we find ourselves as leaders, do you consider whether your mode of thinking mirrors this dynamic of change and complexity? If you’re not sure, or you want to learn more about how your thinking and rethinking can mirror this dynamic, Think Again by Adam Grant may be a good book for you!

What is rethinking? Adam frames rethinking as a cycle that includes humility, doubt, curiosity, and discovery to consider our thoughts, decisions, values, and behaviors. Furthermore, he suggests that through confident humility, owning our biases, and motivational interviewing, we can more easily challenge ourselves to rethink.

What keeps us from rethinking? Adam shares three modes that can prevent us from rethinking: the preacher, prosecutor, and politician modes. He suggests that, instead, if we act from the scientist perspective where we doubt what we know, are curious about what we don’t know, and update our views based on new data, we can more easily rethink.

“Rethinking is a skill set, but it’s also a mindset. We already have many of the mental tools we need. We just have to remember to get them out of the shed and remove the rust.” Want to learn more about rethinking? Check out Think Again by Adam Grant.