Think Again

The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know

By: Adam Grant

Narrated by: Adam Grant

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Number One New York Times Best Seller

“This. This is the right book for right now. Yes, learning requires focus. But, unlearning and relearning requires much more - it requires choosing courage over comfort. In Think Again, Adam Grant weaves together research and storytelling to help us build the intellectual and emotional muscle we need to stay curious enough about the world to actually change it. I’ve never felt so hopeful about what I don’t know.” (Brené Brown, PhD, number one New York Times best-selling author of Dare to Lead)

The best-selling author of Give and Take and Originals examines the critical art of rethinking: learning to question your opinions and open other people's minds, which can position you for excellence at work and wisdom in life

Intelligence is usually seen as the ability to think and learn, but in a rapidly changing world, there's another set of cognitive skills that might matter more: the ability to rethink and unlearn. In our daily lives, too many of us favor the comfort of conviction over the discomfort of doubt. We listen to opinions that make us feel good, instead of ideas that make us think hard. We see disagreement as a threat to our egos, rather than an opportunity to learn. We surround ourselves with people who agree with our conclusions, when we should be gravitating toward those who challenge our thought process. The result is that our beliefs get brittle long before our bones. We think too much like preachers defending our sacred beliefs, prosecutors proving the other side wrong, and politicians campaigning for approval - and too little like scientists searching for truth. Intelligence is no cure, and it can even be a curse: being good at thinking can make us worse at rethinking. The brighter we are, the blinder to our own limitations we can become.

Organizational psychologist Adam Grant is an expert on opening other people's minds - and our own. As Wharton's top-rated professor and the bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, he makes it one of his guiding principles to argue like he's right but listen like he's wrong. With bold ideas and rigorous evidence, he investigates how we can embrace the joy of being wrong, bring nuance to charged conversations, and build schools, workplaces, and communities of lifelong learners. You'll learn how an international debate champion wins arguments, a Black musician persuades white supremacists to abandon hate, a vaccine whisperer convinces concerned parents to immunize their children, and Adam has coaxed Yankees fans to root for the Red Sox. Think Again reveals that we don't have to believe everything we think or internalize everything we feel. It's an invitation to let go of views that are no longer serving us well and prize mental flexibility over foolish consistency. If knowledge is power, knowing what we don't know is wisdom.

©2021 Adam Grant (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Named a best nonfiction book of 2021 by The Washington Post

"Renowned Wharton professor Grant spotlights one of the most important and impactful themes of our time: questioning one's own deeply held beliefs. Grant frames true knowledge as not knowing everything, but rather, listening as if we knew nothing at all in this intrepid book that is what our present moment requires." (Newsweek, "Our 21 Favorite Books of 2021") ]

“In a world of aggressive certitude, Adam Grant’s latest book is a refreshing mandate for humble open-mindedness. Think Again offers a particularly powerful case for rethinking what we already know...that is not just a useful lesson; it could be a vital one.” (Financial Times)

“In his latest book, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know, [Grant] is in vintage form.” (The Wall Street Journal)

Love Adam Grant

I love the way Adam Grant thinks. In this book he shares ways of thinking, actually rethinking. So thought provoking and inspiring. He ends the book with practical suggestions. I highly recommend this book!

A great read

I wish this book was mandated in schools! A great book that teaches skills everyone should be aware of to continue having productive conversations in society. more important now than ever before.

Had me hooked early on ...

“... after all, the purpose of learning isn’t to affirm our beliefs, it’s to evolve our beliefs.”

A Delightful and Insightful Read

Writing style and narration are really light and fun. I’ve now listened a second time and got even more out of it. Like a toolkit for applying strategic thinking and communication to your own life.

Read on repeat

Anyone who has a vested interest in growing themselves and in their relationships with others (coworkers, partners, family, etc) should not only just read this book, but reread it often.

Way overdue

What a joy to see this publication. I’ve been following Grant for some time. This exploratory idea of rethinking seems obvious. Yet here we are in 2021 seemingly stuck in our old ways of thinking. This is a must read for those who to want seek the tools to know what they don’t know.

Amazing!

Amazing! I Loved it! I am Going to listen to this over and over. So good!

Debate is a dance, not a war.

Dancing is two different individuals having together a substantially greater experience of the music and atmosphere than they would have alone. Dancing is being open to the partner, embracing it while adapting to each other. It's not about who has the right movement, it's about having a heightened experience.
Echo chambers are dangerous places, you will never learn anything new. Constantly challenging your beliefs is the way of progress. Enjoying being wrong leads to real learning. Think about something you believe in. What evidence would change your mind?
People don't resist change. People resist being changed. Think about it again.

The authors voice is a bit monotone, robotic, almost each sentence has the same tone, you have to adapt to this in order to focus on the content.

Thoroughly enjoyed. Perfect title.

Adam’s work and performance are inspiring. This work applies to all, young and old, any industry, any career path. At 59, I will utilize his research, observations, and examples to reflect my past and plan my future. In addition, it will help me keep an open mind when holding conversations with my children and grandchildren in these sensitive times.

A Great Read!!!

I personally admire Dr. Adam Grant, He is wonderful! This book illustrates exactly what most of us need during this strange time and rethink what we do, love, and pursue. Every chapter is researched-based and well written. I specifically liked that part that are about wishful thinking most of us are guilty of be it life or work. You will learn a great deal about "Thoughtful disagreement" The best read I have ever read!!! Thank you Adam Grant for changing my life!