Originals

Foreword / Sheryl Sandberg Creative destruction: the risky business of going against the grain-- Blind inventors and one-eyed investors: the art and science of recognizing original ideas-- Out on a limb: speaking truth to power-- Fools rush in: timing, strategic procrastination, and the first-mover disadvantage-- Goldilocks and the Trojan Horse: creating and maintaining coalitions-- Rebel with a cause: how siblings, parents, and mentors nurture originality-- Rethinking groupthink: the myths of strong cultures, cults, and devil's advocates-- Rocking the boat and keeping it steady: managing anxiety, apathy, ambivalence, and anger-- Actions for impact.--

'The New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take examines how people can champion new ideas--and how leaders can encourage originality in their organizations. With Give and Take, Adam Grant not only introduced a landmark new paradigm for success but also established himself as one of his generation's most compelling and provocative thought leaders. In Originals he again addresses the challenge of improving the world, but now from the perspective of becoming original: choosing to champion novel ideas and values that go against the grain, battle conformity, and buck outdated traditions. How can we originate new ideas, policies, and practices without risking it all? Using surprising studies and stories spanning business, politics, sports, and entertainment, Grant explores how to recognize a good idea, speak up without getting silenced, build a coalition of allies, choose the right time to act, and manage fear and doubt; how parents and teachers can nurture originality in children; and how leaders can fight groupthink to build cultures that welcome dissent. Learn from an entrepreneur who pitches his start-ups by highlighting the reasons not to invest, a woman at Apple who challenged Steve Jobs from three levels below, an analyst who overturned the rule of secrecy at the CIA, a billionaire financial wizard who fires employees for failing to criticize him, and a TV executive who didn't even work in comedy but saved Seinfeld from the cutting-room floor. The payoff is a set of groundbreaking insights about rejecting conformity and improving the status quo'-- Provided by publisher.