What does it take to make a difference?

July 10, 2024

In today’s email (930 Words | 4 Min 8 Sec read):

TODAY’S READ

What it’s about

Originals by Adam Grant shows how individuals can champion new ideas effectively by fostering a culture that encourages questioning norms and balancing innovation with caution. Grant explores how strategic procrastination and seeking feedback enhance creativity while emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and a long-term focus for sustained innovation and meaningful change. Overall, the book encourages readers to cultivate creative confidence and embrace their unique ideas to drive lasting impact. Get the book here.

TAKEAWAYS

  1. Question the Status Quo: Originals challenge the default and constantly question the existing norms. Instead of accepting the first answer, they explore alternatives and generate multiple solutions to a problem.

  2. The Power of Procrastination: Contrary to popular belief, moderate procrastination can enhance creativity. It allows ideas to marinate and evolve. The key is to start the thinking process early but delay the actual work to allow for more innovative thoughts.

  3. Generate a Lot of Ideas: To come up with one good idea, you need to generate many. Quantity breeds quality because the more ideas you have, the higher the likelihood that one will be exceptional. This approach increases your chances of originality.

  4. Seek Feedback from Colleagues and Friends: Originals often rely on a circle of trusted colleagues and friends for honest feedback. They value constructive criticism, which helps refine and improve their ideas. This external perspective is crucial for spotting potential flaws and enhancing creativity.

  5. Balance Risk-Taking with Caution: While originals are willing to take risks, they are strategic about it. They balance their risky ventures with stability in other areas of their life. This calculated approach ensures they have a safety net, making it easier to pursue unconventional paths.

  6. Adopt a Long-Term Perspective: Instead of focusing on immediate success, originals think long-term. They understand that groundbreaking ideas often take time to be accepted and are willing to persist despite initial setbacks. This perseverance is essential for bringing about lasting change.

  7. Nurture a Culture of Nonconformity: In organizations, fostering a culture that encourages dissent and open dialogue is crucial. By allowing employees to voice their unique perspectives and challenge the status quo, organizations can tap into a wealth of innovative ideas.

  8. Harness the Power of Coalitions: Originals often build coalitions to support their ideas. They understand that having allies can amplify their voice and increase the impact of their ideas. By collaborating with others who share their vision, they can drive more significant change.

  9. Recognize and Leverage Timing: Timing plays a crucial role in the success of original ideas. Understanding when to introduce an idea and when to wait can significantly influence its acceptance. Originals are adept at reading the environment and seizing the right moment.

  10. Champion Others’ Ideas: Supporting others' original ideas can also lead to greater innovation. By advocating for colleagues' unique ideas, originals create an environment of mutual support and innovation, where creative ideas can flourish.

  11. Emphasize Values Over Rules: In organizations, emphasizing core values over rigid rules encourages employees to think creatively and act ethically. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to more innovative solutions.

  12. Cultivate Creative Confidence: Building confidence in one’s creative abilities is essential. Originals take small steps to build their confidence, gradually taking on bigger challenges as their self-assurance grows. This incremental approach helps them tackle more significant projects over time.

  13. Combine Familiarity with Novelty: Successful original ideas often blend the familiar with the novel. This combination makes new ideas more palatable and easier to accept, as they resonate with existing knowledge while introducing fresh perspectives.

  14. Learn from Failure: Failure is an integral part of the creative process. Originals view failure as a learning opportunity, analyzing what went wrong and using those insights to improve future efforts. This resilience is critical for sustained innovation.

  15. Champion Diversity: Diversity in teams leads to a wider range of perspectives and ideas. Originals value diverse inputs and actively seek out different viewpoints, knowing that this diversity can lead to more robust and innovative solutions.

OUR FAVORITE QUOTES

"In the deepest sense of the word, a friend is someone who sees more potential in you than you see in yourself, someone who helps you become the best version of yourself."

Adam M. Grant

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."

Adam M. Grant

ACTIONABLE NEXT STEPS

  1. Define Your Brand: Identify your passion and write a clear personal brand statement.

  2. Regular Brainstorming and Feedback: Schedule weekly sessions to challenge norms and generate numerous ideas. Establish regular peer review meetings to gather and incorporate constructive feedback.

  3. Strategic Procrastination: Start projects early but allow for deliberate breaks to let ideas mature and evolve.

  4. Balanced Risk-Taking: Mix high-risk projects with stable ones to innovate safely while maintaining a safety net.

  5. Long-Term Focus with Short-Term Milestones: Set long-term goals, break them into actionable short-term steps, and review progress regularly.

  6. Foster Open Dialogue and Diversity: Encourage a culture where employees feel safe to voice unique perspectives and support colleagues’ ideas. Actively seek diverse viewpoints to enhance creativity.

  7. Build Collaborative Networks: Form coalitions with like-minded individuals to support and amplify innovative ideas.

  8. Emphasize Core Values Over Rules: Focus on organizational values to encourage ethical and creative decision-making.

  9. Learn and Adapt: Conduct post-mortem analyses of projects to identify successes and areas for improvement, and use these insights for continuous innovation.

Happy reading and remember to TAKE ACTION! There’s more to learn in the next one! Same day, same time! See ya.

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