Adam Grant

Adam Grant – Life, Work & Insightful Wisdom


Discover the life, theories, and enduring wisdom of Adam Grant (born August 13, 1981) — organizational psychologist, bestselling author, and thought leader on generosity, work, creativity, and rethinking.

Introduction

Adam M. Grant (born August 13, 1981) is an American organizational psychologist, professor, and author whose research focuses on how people can find motivation, lead more generous lives, rethink assumptions, and unlock potential.

His books—Give and Take, Originals, Think Again, Hidden Potential, and others—have reached millions and have been translated into dozens of languages.

Grant is known for bridging rigorous research with accessible, applicable insights for individuals, organizations, and leaders.

Early Life, Education & Background

  • He was born in West Bloomfield, Michigan, to a lawyer father and teacher mother, and grew up in the suburbs of Detroit.

  • As a child and teenager, he was active in diving—he was named an All-American springboard diver in high school in 1999.

  • He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, and then went on to receive his M.S. and Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Michigan.

  • Interestingly, during college he also performed as a professional magician.

His diverse background—sport, magic, rigorous psychology—shaped a thinker attuned to performance, persuasion, and human potential.

Academic & Professional Career

Academic Rise & Teaching

  • In 2007, Grant became an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina’s business school.

  • In 2009, he joined The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, eventually becoming the youngest tenured professor there at age 28.

  • He has consistently been rated one of Wharton’s top professors (for multiple years).

  • Grant also frequently speaks at conferences, consults for organizations, and appears in media on topics of work, leadership, creativity, and psychological science.

Themes & Research Focus

Grant’s work centers around several interlocking themes:

  • Givers, Takers, and Matchers: One of his foundational frameworks about how people approach reciprocity in organizations.

  • Originality & Nonconformity: How new ideas emerge, how people champion them, and how individuals resist stagnation.

  • Rethinking & Unlearning: Encouraging individuals and groups to question entrenched assumptions and be open to change.

  • Motivation, meaning & purpose: How people stay motivated, find meaning in work, and maintain well-being.

  • Giving & generosity: He argues that helping others, when done well, is a path not just to altruism but to sustainable success.

Grant’s strength lies in combining empirical research, storytelling, and practical takeaways.

Major Books & Works

Some of his most impactful books include:

TitleFocus / Contribution
Give and Take (2013)How generosity and reciprocity styles affect success and dynamics in work life. Originals (2016)How nonconformists drive change and how to cultivate originality without risk. Option B (2017, co-authored with Sheryl Sandberg)Resilience, overcoming adversity, and finding strength after loss. Think Again (2021)The power and practice of rethinking beliefs, assumptions, and decisions. Hidden Potential (2023)Strategies to unlock untapped abilities and rise toward one’s strengths.

He also produces a newsletter (“Granted”) and hosts podcast work (e.g. WorkLife) to share research-based insight.

Personality & Public Presence

Grant is often described as intellectually generous, curious, and humble. He blends seriousness with approachability, frequently using narratives, humor, and personal confession to make complex ideas accessible.

He also speaks openly about personal challenges—such as anxiety in periods of idleness—and how structure and purpose help him maintain balance.

His public persona is not that of an untouchable “gurus” but a thinker who grapples with the same tensions many face—how to learn better, lead better, and live more meaningfully.

Notable Quotes

Here are several memorable lines that capture his insights and voice:

“The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.”

“Excellence is the product of high aspirations and low ego.”

“If we create networks with the sole intention of getting something, we won’t succeed. We can’t pursue the benefits of networks; the benefits ensue from investments in meaningful activities and relationships.”

“Authenticity means erasing the gap between what you firmly believe inside and what you reveal to the outside world.”

“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.”

“The more I help out, the more successful I become. But I measure success in what it has done for the people around me. That is the real accolade.”

These quotes reflect his recurring themes: generosity, humility, networks, identity, and growth.

Lessons from Adam Grant

  1. Success and giving need not be opposites
    Grant challenges the notion that generosity is a weakness; done thoughtfully, giving can amplify success and satisfaction.

  2. Rethinking is a skill, not a flaw
    He urges us to unlearn rigid beliefs, reevaluate decisions, and stay intellectually humble.

  3. Original ideas require bravery and experimentation
    Becoming a changemaker means risking failure, questioning norms, and embracing novelty.

  4. Connection matters deeply
    Human relationships, networks built on trust, and shared goals are central to thriving.

  5. Purpose grounds productivity
    Grant reminds us that productivity without meaning is hollow; motivation thrives when tied to values and contribution.

Conclusion

Adam Grant stands out as a contemporary thinker who combines academic rigor with practical relevance. He has helped many reframe how they think about work, relationships, leadership, and growth.

Articles by the author

When takers talk about mistakes, they're usually quick to place the blame on other people. Givers are more likely to say 'Here's the mistake I made; I learned the following from it. Here are the steps I'm taking to make sure I don't let people down in the future.'

Adam Grant

The culture of a workplace - an organization's values, norms and practices - has a huge impact on our happiness and success.

Adam Grant

Some of the greatest moments in human history were fueled by emotional intelligence.

Adam Grant

Instead of assuming that emotional intelligence is always useful, we need to think more carefully about where and when it matters.

Adam Grant

The mark of higher education isn't the knowledge you accumulate in your head. It's the skills you gain about how to learn.

Adam Grant

For women to achieve equal representation in leadership roles, it's important that they have the backing of men as well as women.

Adam Grant

In the conversation about women in leadership, male voices are noticeably absent.

Adam Grant

When medical students focus on helping others, they're able to weather the slings and arrows of long hours and devastating health outcomes: they know their colleagues and patients are depending on them.

Adam Grant

I have two rules for a great book: make me think and make me smile.

Adam Grant

It's ironic that when you go through a tragedy, you appreciate more. You realize how fragile life is and that there are so many things to still be thankful for.

Adam Grant

Takers believe in a zero-sum world, and they end up creating one where bosses, colleagues and clients don't trust them. Givers build deeper and broader relationships - people are rooting for them instead of gunning for them.

Adam Grant

From a relationship perspective, givers build deeper and broader connections.

Adam Grant

Bragging about yourself violates norms of modesty and politeness - and if you were really competent, your work would speak for itself.

Adam Grant