Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know

by Adam Grant

Think Again challenges us to reconsider how we approach knowledge, opinions, and beliefs. Author Adam Grant says that the ability to rethink and unlearn in our rapidly changing world is crucial for personal and professional growth. Using scientific research, storytelling, and practical examples, Grant highlights the importance of intellectual humility and the risks associated with cognitive rigidity. He encourages readers to adopt a “scientist” mindset characterized by curiosity, adaptability, and openness to new evidence. This approach can help us navigate change, make better decisions, and inspire others to question their own assumptions.

Grant describes “thinking again” as vital for personal and professional growth. It requires a shift from treating opinions as truths to viewing them as hypotheses to test. He encourages a mindset rooted in humility, doubt, and curiosity, where ideas are continuously refined based on evidence rather than defended through preaching, prosecuting, or politicking.

By rethinking entrenched beliefs and embracing constructive conflict, Grant argues, individuals can become more resilient and adaptable in a rapidly changing world, creating meaningful learning experiences and staying mentally flexible.

Organization

The book is organized into four parts:

Individual Rethinking: Focuses on changing one’s own views.
Interpersonal Rethinking: Addresses opening others’ minds.
Collective Rethinking: Explores fostering learning cultures in organizations and communities.
Conclusion and Epilogue: Provides practical steps to apply rethinking principles in everyday life.

About the Author

Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist, professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and bestselling author. He is known for his research on work psychology and motivation. His other books include Give and Take, Originals, and Option B. Grant is also a popular TED speaker and recognized as one of the world’s ten most influential management thinkers.

This summary reflects my takeaways from a book I found useful and recommend to others. Reading a summary isn’t a substitute for reading the book. There’s much more than I can cover here. Plus, this is my interpretation. If these ideas resonate with you, I encourage you to get a copy from your library or favorite bookseller. Here are the Amazon links: e-book | Audiobook | Print

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes should be attributed to the book’s author.

Overall Takeaways

The Danger of Cognitive Rigidity: Grant emphasizes how clinging to outdated beliefs can hinder personal growth and organizational success.
The Importance of Psychological Safety: To foster collective rethinking, it is essential to create a culture where questioning is encouraged, and mistakes are seen as learning opportunities.
The Scientist Mindset: Grant advocates for approaching challenges with curiosity, openness, and an evidence-based approach, leading to better outcomes.
Rethinking is as Important as Thinking: In a rapidly changing world, the ability to rethink and unlearn is crucial.
Intellectual Humility: Embracing humility allows us to recognize the limits of our knowledge and remain open to new perspectives.
Mindset Pitfalls: People often fall into “preacher,” “prosecutor,” and “politician” mindsets, which can inhibit learning. Adopting a “scientist” mindset fosters openness and growth.
Confident Humility: Effective rethinking requires a balance of confidence and humility, which Grant terms “confident humility.”
Influencing Others: To encourage others to rethink, active listening and creating an environment for open dialogue are more effective than confrontation.
Learning Organizations: Organizations thrive by promoting continuous questioning and challenging assumptions.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: A Preacher, a Prosecutor, a Politician, and a Scientist Walk into Your Mind

Emphasizes the importance of intellectual humility and introduces the “scientist” mindset, which fosters openness to new evidence.

Grant introduces four mental modes we often adopt. Each mode represents different approaches to thinking:
- The preacher defends their beliefs.
- The prosecutor attacks others’ ideas.
- The politician seeks approval.
- The scientist seeks truth.
Many people get stuck in the preacher, prosecutor, or politician modes, which inhibit openness and flexibility.
The “scientist” mindset is ideal for rethinking, as it is rooted in curiosity, adaptability, and a desire for evidence over certainty. It’s essential for personal growth and effective decision-making.
Awareness of our default mindsets helps us shift into more constructive, open-minded ways of engaging with ideas.

Chapter 2: The Armchair Quarterback and the Impostor

Discusses the “sweet spot of confidence,” where confident humility encourages individuals to believe in their capabilities without dismissing the need for growth.

Confidence lies on a spectrum, from the armchair quarterback (overconfidence) to the impostor (underconfidence).
- Armchair Quarterback Syndrome: Overconfident individuals often need to realize their gaps in knowledge.
- Impostor Syndrome: Competent People may struggle with self-doubt and underestimate their abilities.
Grant introduces “confident humility,” a balanced mindset that combines confidence in one’s ability with humility in recognizing one’s limitations.
Cultivating confident humility fosters growth — it encourages rethinking without paralyzing self-doubt.

Chapter 3: The Joy of Being Wrong

Explores the benefits of embracing the joy of being wrong, a powerful way to open oneself to new learning and growth.

Being wrong offers opportunities to refine understanding and strengthen insights.
Psychological safety is critical. People are more open to admitting mistakes when they feel safe from judgment.
Prioritizing learning over ego allows individuals to detach their self-worth from the need to be right.
Developing an openness to being wrong can improve personal resilience and foster a more adaptive mindset.

Chapter 4: The Good Fight Club

Constructive conflict and healthy debate help refine ideas.

Constructive conflict is essential for refining ideas, fostering creativity, and encouraging innovation. It sharpens thinking and reveals blind spots.
Grant differentiates between productive and unproductive conflict, highlighting that respectful disagreement is critical to achieving positive outcomes.
Effective debates should focus on ideas, avoid personal attacks, and invite diverse perspectives.
Leaders should create environments encouraging respectful disagreement — open, respectful conflict and debate enhance decision-making and problem-solving.
Individuals and organizations thrive in atmospheres where people can openly discuss diverse ideas. Adopting a collaborative rather than adversarial approach to conflict can boost productivity.
People can cultivate a culture of mutual respect and continuous improvement by viewing disagreements as opportunities for shared growth rather than personal confrontations.

Chapter 5: Dances with Foes

Techniques for persuasive communication to encourage others to rethink, such as using curiosity and asking questions.

Grant emphasizes the power of persuasive communication, particularly in conversations with those who hold opposing views.
Persuasion is most effective when driven by empathy and a willingness to understand the other person’s perspective. Active listening and genuine curiosity can transform discussions, leading to more meaningful exchanges with those who think differently.
He explains how curiosity and open-ended questions can effectively engage others and encourage openness.
- Open-ended questions promote self-reflection and reduce defensiveness. Thoughtful questions help people feel heard, which can decrease defensiveness and foster openness to new ideas.
- Curiosity and empathy help lower defenses, creating an environment where people are more likely to reconsider their positions.

Chapter 6: Bad Blood on the Diamond

How to reduce prejudice and bias by challenging stereotypes.

Destabilizing stereotypes by presenting information contradicting existing beliefs can shift perspectives and open minds to new possibilities.
Facilitating real-world interactions with people from diverse backgrounds is more impactful than presenting facts alone, as these interactions reshape assumptions and build empathy.
Exposure to situations that counter biases diminishes prejudiced thinking, as changing attitudes requires intellectual engagement and emotional connection.
Engaging with others in ways that actively challenge stereotypes promotes understanding and reduces prejudice. Creating experiences that counter preconceived ideas is a powerful way to foster empathy and open-mindedness.

Chapter 7: Vaccine Whisperers and Mild-Mannered Interrogators

Listening with empathy can open other people to new perspectives and drive behavior change, particularly in controversial areas like vaccination.

Grant suggests using motivational interviewing, a counseling technique that uses reflective listening and open-ended questions to encourage meaningful change. Rather than relying on persuasion or argument, this approach fosters an environment where individuals feel safe to reconsider their beliefs without judgment.
Effective listening builds trust by making people feel heard rather than judged. Transformational conversations are more successful when they prioritize understanding over forceful persuasion.
Listening with empathy and patience creates the psychological safety needed for people to explore and potentially revise their views, which is particularly helpful in polarized discussions.
Genuine listening and empathy are powerful tools for facilitating change, especially in high-stakes conversations. Grant illustrates how health professionals use this method to guide individuals toward embracing new perspectives.

Chapter 8: Charged Conversations

Tackles the issue of polarization and offers methods to depolarize conversations.

Reducing polarization requires a willingness to understand opposing views and find ways to bridge differences.
Depolarizing techniques, such as highlighting shared values, can help reduce hostility and build connections.
Maintaining openness to adjusting one’s own views fosters a more balanced approach to polarizing topics.
Productive conversations on divisive issues become possible when common ground is established, and cognitive flexibility is encouraged.

Chapter 9: Rewriting the Textbook

Discusses rethinking in education and how students can be taught to question knowledge.

Grant argues that educational systems should encourage students to question knowledge rather than passively absorb it.
Teaching students to think critically and question assumptions equips them to face complex real-world challenges.
Classrooms should foster inquiry and discovery, nurturing curiosity as a core part of learning.
Students should be taught that rethinking and revising ideas are essential to learning.
Cultivating a culture of questioning prepares students to navigate and adapt to an ever-changing world.

Chapter 10: That’s Not the Way We’ve Always Done It

Guides building learning-oriented cultures at work.

Organizations that embrace learning and change are better equipped to thrive in dynamic environments.
Building a learning culture involves encouraging employees to question the status quo and adopt a growth mindset.
Companies that promote curiosity, adaptability, and continuous learning tend to perform better and remain competitive.
Fostering flexibility helps prevent organizations from becoming stuck in outdated methods.
Leaders who champion learning cultures contribute to creating resilient and innovative organizations.

Chapter 11: Escaping Tunnel Vision

Encourages readers to reconsider their career and life plans.

Rethinking career or life plans can open fulfilling new directions and help prevent burnout or disillusionment.
Being adaptable and open to new possibilities enriches life experiences and expands opportunities.
Periodically reassessing career goals and paths is beneficial for maintaining alignment with personal values and aspirations.
Staying adaptable helps individuals avoid getting trapped in unfulfilling situations.
Regular self-assessment and openness to new paths foster personal growth and satisfaction in career and life.

Conclusion

Embracing the core rethinking concepts can unlock the potential for greater creativity, improved decision-making, and continuous learning. “Think Again urges a shift away from the comfort of conviction and toward the discomfort of doubt, ultimately leading to a more adaptable approach to an ever-changing world.

Book details and where to buy it:

Get the book on Amazon: e-book | Audiobook | Print (affiliate links*)
Amazon rating: 4.6
Goodreads rating: 4.1
Page count: 320
Publication date: Dec. 26, 2023
Author website: https://adamgrant.net/book/think-again/

*These are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission from Amazon on your purchase at no additional cost to you.