Today I try to summarize
the book “Think Again” written by Adam Grant which have been organized by
chapters with examples and key takeaways:
Chapter 1: A
Preacher, a Prosecutor, a Politician, and a Scientist Walk into Your Mind
Grant introduces four
archetypes: preacher, prosecutor, politician, and scientist. He argues that we
often adopt the first three roles, defending our beliefs (preacher), proving
others wrong (prosecutor), or seeking approval (politician). Instead, we should
think like scientists, who are open to new ideas and willing to update their
beliefs based on new evidence. The people should improve their unlearn and
rethinking. Experience indicates that the students changing their answers usually
change to the right answer. Reconsidering creates an impact that the thinker
threatens his identity. Making us to feel we lose part of us. Experience shows
that the smarter you are, you might struggle more to update your beliefs. In psychology,
there are at least two biases, one is confirmation bias seeing what we expect
to see, the other one is to see what we want to see. Being good at thinking may
lead you worse at rethinking. Grant shares the story of Daryl Davis, a Black
musician who convinced over 200 Ku Klux Klan members to leave the organization
by engaging them in open, non-confrontational dialogue.
Chapter 2: The
Armchair Quarterback and the Impostor
This chapter explores
the concept of confident humility, where one balances confidence in their
abilities with the humility to recognize their limitations. Grant discusses how
impostor syndrome can be beneficial by keeping us grounded and open to
learning. He discusses the Dunning-Kruger
effect which is a cognitive bias where people with low ability,
knowledge, or competence in a specific area tend to overestimate their own
skills. Conversely, those with high ability often underestimate their
competence. Being an imposter leads us to rethink. Darwin stated
that ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge. In a meta-analysis
of ninety-five studies, usually women are underestimating their leadership skills
where the man overestimates them. “Arrogance is ignorance plus conviction” stated
by blogger Tim Urban. Arrogance leaves us blind to our weaknesses. Grant also cites
the experience of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, who embraced
his ignorance as a starting point for discovery.
Chapter 3: The
Joy of Being Wrong
Grant emphasizes the
importance of finding joy in being wrong, as it opens up opportunities for
learning and growth. He suggests that we should detach our beliefs from our
identities to be more open to change. When men make self-depreciating jokes, they
are perceived more capable leaders, however, if women make self-depreciating
jokes they are seem to be incapable. The story of Bridgewater Associates, where
employees are encouraged to challenge each other’s ideas and admit when they
are wrong, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Chapter 4: The
Good Fight Club
Grant differentiates
between task conflict (productive) and relationship conflict (destructive). He
argues that task conflict can lead to better outcomes if managed properly, while
relationship conflict should be avoided. There is an evidence that when teams
experience moderate tasks conflict early on, they generate more original ideas
in Chinese technology companies, innovate more in Dutch delivery services and
make better decisions in American hospitals. The absence of conflict is not
harmony but apathy. Rethinking depends on a challenge network which helps us to
spot our weaknesses. Disagreeable people give the best critics, their intent is
to elevate the work. Pixar’s “Braintrust” meetings, where directors present
their work and receive candid feedback, leading to better films through
constructive task conflict.
Chapter 5:
Dances with Foes
This chapter focuses
on effective persuasion techniques. Grant suggests finding common ground,
asking questions and limiting arguments to a few key points rather than
overwhelming opponents with logic. If you have too many arguments, concentrate on
one or two, so that you will not dilute the power. When someone loses his/her
control, you have to stay calm. In a heated debate ask them “what evidence may
change your mind?” The story of a vaccine advocate who successfully convinced
hesitant parents by listening to their concerns and addressing them
empathetically.
Chapter 6: Bad
Blood on the Diamond
Grant discusses
overcoming stereotypes and prejudice through counterfactual thinking, which
involves considering how our beliefs might be different if our circumstances
were different. When Yankees see Red Sox fail, it triggers their part of the brain
which is the reward gaining. Some economists say their stock exchange boosts
when their national team wins the world cup. The story of Jackie Robinson, who broke Major
League Baseball’s color barrier and changed perceptions through his exceptional
performance and character.
Chapter 7:
Vaccine Whisperers and Mild-Mannered Interrogators
Grant introduces
motivational interviewing, a technique used to help people find their own
reasons to change rather than imposing reasons on them. The success of
motivational interviewing in treating substance abuse by helping clients articulate
their own motivations for change. If the people feel there a manipulation in
the argument, they automatically start to defend their views. Among managers
rated as the worst listeners, evaluated them as good or very good listeners. In
one poll, 1/3 of women said that their pets are listening more than their
spouses. It is common for doctors to interrupt their patients in 11 seconds
where it needs 29 seconds for the patients to describe their problems. The chapter
title comes from the story of convincing vaccine opposers while asking
questions to them in order to let them change their own decisions.
Chapter 8:
Charged Conversations
Grant addresses
societal polarization and suggests that merely exposing people to opposing
views is not enough. Instead, we should emphasize the complexity of issues and
avoid oversimplification. Psychologist have a term called binary bias. It is a
human tendency to simplify the issues into two categories; good or bad, honest
or crook etc. racist and antiracist are not fixed identities. Someone can be
racist one moment and antiracist afterwards. The story of a debate champion who
wins arguments by acknowledging the strengths of the opposing side and finding
common ground is one example.
Chapter 9:
Rewriting the Textbook
Grant advocates for
active learning in education, where students are encouraged to question what
they learn and think critically. The success of the “flipped classroom” model,
where students watch lectures at home and engage in interactive problem-solving
in class.
Chapter 10:
That’s Not the Way We’ve Always Done It
Grant contrasts
performance cultures, which focus on outcomes, with learning cultures, which
emphasize process and continuous improvement. The transformation of the U.S.
Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet under Admiral Hyman Rickover, who fostered a
culture of relentless learning and questioning.
Let’s think about the
following five key takeaways:
- Think Like a Scientist: Adopt a mindset that is open to new information and willing to update
beliefs based on evidence.
- Embrace Confident Humility: Balance confidence in your abilities with the humility to recognize
your limitations and learn from others.
- Find Joy in Being Wrong: View mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth rather than
threats to your identity.
- Engage in Productive Conflict: Differentiate between task conflict and relationship conflict, and
use the former to drive better outcomes.
- Promote Active Learning: Encourage questioning and critical thinking in educational and
professional settings to foster continuous improvement.
I hope this summary
helped you to understand the main concepts in the book.
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder
Merhaba kıymetli okuyucularım,
Yorumları denetlemeden siteye koyamıyorum. Maalesef uygun olmayan içerikler paylaşan kullanıcılar oluyor ve bunun siteyi ziyaret eden insanları olumsuz etkilemesini istemiyorum. Vaktimin darlığından her zaman yorumlarınıza da yanıt veremiyorum. Anlayışınız için teşekkür ederim.