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When I embarked on the journey of learning Mandarin, I took an unconventional approach that raised eyebrows among those around me. Instead of tediously writing out characters and focusing on proper sentence structure, I embraced my inner fool. I intentionally spoke pidgin Chinese, with all its flaws, to my friends, shared corny jokes to annoy my teachers, and exposed myself to native music and podcasts. It wasn’t a flawless strategy, but it proved effective enough for me to conduct interviews and read short news articles within a year.
In his latest book, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, organisational psychologist Adam Grant encapsulates this method of embracing discomfort as a means to unlock hidden potential in various types of learning. Grant, a professor at Wharton, believes that individuals can surpass their backgrounds, resumes, and experiences by cultivating this character skill.
Grant takes readers on a rapid exploration of the factors that contribute to success, including information absorption, letting go of perfectionism, and making necessary compromises. These attributes are crucial not only for acquiring new skills or learning languages but also for reaching the apex of one’s industry. Alongside these concepts, Grant weaves in his personal story – from overcoming his fear of public speaking to gaining admission to a prestigious university.
Grant, the author of Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know, which explores open-mindedness and provocative thinking, examines the strategies employed by successful individuals to maintain motivation and overcome obstacles like writer’s block. He also emphasizes their ability to reframe setbacks as opportunities to learn and adapt, drawing parallels to the world of sports.
The importance of learning from others and leveraging networks is a recurring theme in the book. Grant challenges the notion of imposter syndrome, describing it as a ‘paradox’ in which individuals undervalue the praise of others and prioritize their own self-doubt. The case studies featured in the book span the globe, showcasing stories ranging from the heroic rescue of Chilean miners to the triumphs of African-American naval officers in the face of discrimination.
Policymakers and executives should pay close attention to the final section of the book, which highlights the need for inclusive structures that create equal opportunities for all. Education plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal, and institutions like British universities have begun taking positive steps in the right direction.
The humane approach of the Finnish education system, which prioritizes personalized lesson planning, early intervention for struggling students, and shorter school days, has garnered praise from experts. Grant briefly discusses Pisa scores, an international test that evaluates education systems worldwide. While Finnish students may score lower on Pisa tests compared to some East Asian countries, Grant suggests that focusing on factors like student well-being and workload is more intriguing than merely comparing rankings.
Grant proposes the concept of transitioning from a ‘ladder hierarchy’ to a ‘lattice hierarchy,’ which would offer individuals multiple pathways for advancement and career development. The idea is not to let one stubborn boss or difficult work relationship hinder the progress of talented individuals.
Furthermore, Grant advocates that universities and companies should do more to recognize potential, particularly in individuals who have overcome adversities such as growing up in poverty. He suggests quantifying the intangible by considering not only a student’s final grades but also the rate of improvement.
For instance, the story of Hispanic-American astronaut José Hernández demonstrates the importance of acknowledging unique experiences and triumphs. Despite facing numerous rejections, Hernández achieved his dream of joining NASA by leveraging the skills he gained from working as a farm laborer in his youth and overcoming adversity.
Systems must evolve and adapt to identify the best individuals. However, Grant’s dismissal of electoral democracy in a recent New York Times column, advocating for a lottery system to choose US presidents, raises concerns. Picking political leaders by chance, while a practice employed by the ancient Athenians, is undemocratic and dangerous. It contradicts the core message of Hidden Potential: rather than abandoning flawed systems because of bad actors, we should strive to improve the mechanisms so that better leaders emerge in the future.
Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant, WH Allen, £18.79
This article is part of FT Wealth, a section providing in-depth coverage of philanthropy, entrepreneurs, family offices, as well as alternative and impact investment
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