Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant — book cover
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Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant — Summary, Key Ideas & Quotes

2016336 pages3-min Big ideas3.6 (8)
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What is Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World about?

""Reading Originals made me feel like I was seated across from Adam Grant at a dinner party, as one of my favorite thinkers thrilled me with his insights and his wonderfully new take on the world."--Malcolm Gladwell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Outliers and The Tipping Point "Originals is one of the most important and captivating books I have ever read, full of surprising and powerful ideas. It will not only change the way you see the world; it might just change the way you live your life.^

And it could very well inspire you to change your world."--Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lean In 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becoming original: choosing to champion novel ideas and values that go against the grain, battle conformity, and buck outdated traditions.^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"--

"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"--

A glimpse inside

Illustration for Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World
Originality Is a Choice, Not a Trait

Grant dismantles the myth that only a select few are born creative. Instead, he argues that being original is about taking action to champion novel ideas, even when they seem risky or unpopular. Through research and real-world examples, he shows that originality comes from a willingness to question defaults, take calculated risks, and persist despite doubt or failure. This democratizes creativity, making it accessible to anyone willing to challenge convention.

The Power of Strategic Risk-Taking

Contrary to the stereotype of the reckless innovator, Grant demonstrates that successful originals often hedge their bets. They manage risk by balancing bold moves with safety nets—keeping their day jobs while pursuing new ventures, or testing ideas before going all in. This approach allows them to be daring without being reckless, increasing their odds of success while minimizing catastrophic failure.

See all 6 key ideas →

Ratings at a glance

Open Library
3.6 / 5
8 ratings
Google Books
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Get smart in 3 min
6 key ideas, distilled
  1. 1Originality Is a Choice, Not a Trait
  2. 2The Power of Strategic Risk-Taking
  3. 3Championing Ideas Requires Persistence and Timing
  4. 4Constructive Dissent Fuels Progress
  5. 5Balancing Passion with Doubt

Popular quotes from Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World

The greatest originals are the ones who fail the most, because they're the ones who try the most.
Argue like you're right and listen like you're wrong.
Procrastination gives you time to consider divergent ideas, to think in nonlinear ways, to make unexpected leaps.

Frequently asked

""Reading Originals made me feel like I was seated across from Adam Grant at a dinner party, as one of my favorite thinkers thrilled me with his insights and his wonderfully new take on the world."--Malcolm Gladwell, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Outliers and The Tipping Point "Originals is one of the most important and captivating books I have ever read, full of surprising and powerful