Hidden Potential Paperback – October 5, 2023

This book is going on my favorites list. It was a work assignment for our team and remains an all-time favorite for most of the team. I gave it to my high school son after we finished, and he enjoyed it as well. This book is so easy to read. You will not want to put it down. It is full of very interesting stories and facts. Not your typical self-help book (I am not a fan of those.)

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant is one of those books that emphasizes the importance of effort. It's not one of those books that claims everyone excels nor is it based on research asserting that there are only naturally gifted superstars. It doesn’t dismiss the existence of naturally talented individuals. Instead, it highlights how certain individuals, groups, or communities are committed to putting in the work. These individuals consistently strive to improve themselves every day, which enables them to reach the top. Their success is rooted in hard work, dedication, and a focused determination to overcome their circumstances. This book centers around that hidden potential—the proactive steps these individuals take to rise above their situations and environments. Their journeys often go unnoticed until they reveal remarkable stories of underdogs who lack privilege, fame, or fortune. What they possess is a strong work ethic and the discipline to persevere. I loved this book.

I love a book from a social scientist - I want to be that sponge he describes and learn more about being the best version of me I can be, and have the greatest positive impact on the world around me. He teaches the reader valuable insights, and expertly weaves story with the content of his lessons.However, Grant’s writing at times felt a little too formulaic, and some of his arguments were very surface level/not fleshed out well enough to resonate or absorb.I used WhisperSync to listen and read this book. The narration is easy to listen to, and enriched by incorporating music and audio recordings of his interviews to let people speak their own words. Almost like a very, very long NPR segment - in a good way!

Highly recommend Hidden Potential! This book is our June business book club read and is packed with great gems of advice and inspiration! The stories are engaging and action driven! Quick read. Highly recommend.

Great price and arrived quickly

This author is a man of great kindness and compassion whose books I have found to be quite inspirational and insightful when it comes to human behavior. I feel his humanitarian views are well expressed and a welcome approach to surviving adversities.

This book is so great! I purchased the book and listened to the audiobook as well. There are so many applicable lessons and tactics relating to both work and life. I recommend the book widely, especially to parents and colleagues (I work in marketing). I have not been a huge fan of Adam Grant's books prior to this one. I will also plug the audiobook, which is such a delightful listen. Grant brings in several of the voices (really) he interviews in the book. This variety is super entertaining and makes listening more fun.

Adam Grant is a dominant voice in the world of psychology so expectations are always very high. This book almost does justice to those expectations but IMHO, this is not a seminal piece of work (yet). It is somewhat of a mix between Angela Duckworth's Grit and Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers. Unlike Grit it doesn't have many prescriptive solutions and unlike Outliers, it has fewer stories that are interesting. Some of this 2*2 grids are not very intuitive either. However, this books should be read for two things:- Some norms that are challenged e.g., he challenges the full efficacy of 10,000 rule to master something, rather advocating for "harmonious passion" as a complementary technique.- His catchy writing (almost too catchy). The content is replete with his trademark three-sentence articulation. Sample this: "A critic sees your weaknesses and attacks your worst self. A cheerleader sets your strengths and celebrates your best self. A coach sees your potential and helps you become a better version of yourself."Net: It is a good book and as long as you temper your expectations a little bit, you should be good.And I do think that a seminal piece of work from Grant is around the corner.Enjoy.