Adam Grant – Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things

Summary: In „Hidden Potential,“ organizational psychologist Adam Grant challenges the common belief that success is primarily determined by innate talent, arguing instead that our capacity for growth and improvement is far greater than we typically imagine. Grant presents research-based strategies for unlocking hidden potential, emphasizing the importance of embracing discomfort, seeking out constructive criticism and building systems that support continuous learning rather than relying solely on motivation. The book explores how character skills like proactivity, discipline and determination matter more than natural ability and how the right environments and support structures can help anyone achieve remarkable progress. Grant illustrates his points with compelling stories of individuals and teams who exceeded expectations by focusing on the process of improvement rather than innate gifts.

Why we like it: This book is particularly valuable for us because it offers a deeply hopeful and empowering message backed by rigorous science: We are not limited by our starting point or initial abilities. Adam Grant provides practical, actionable frameworks that democratize excellence, showing that extraordinary achievement is accessible to anyone willing to commit to the right learning processes and mindsets.