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    Originals by Adam Grant Summary

    Originals
    Adam Grant
    3.95 (57073 Reviews)
    PsychologyBusinessEntrepreneurship
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    Overview of Originals

    Discover why original thinkers succeed in "Originals" - Adam Grant's #1 NYT bestseller that captivated Sheryl Sandberg and Richard Branson. Challenging conventional wisdom with counterintuitive insights, it reveals why the most innovative minds often procrastinate and doubt themselves.

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    Best quote from Originals

    “

    Originality isn't about recklessness but about refusing to accept defaults.

    ”
    Explore Your Way of Learning
    Originals isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Psychology. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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    Break down key ideas from Originals into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

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    Distill Originals into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

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    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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    Self HelpCommunication SkillRelationshipMindfulnessPhilosophyInspirationProductivity
    Celebrities' reading list
    Elon MuskCharlie KirkBill GatesSteve JobsAndrew HubermanJoe RoganJordan Peterson
    Award winning collection
    Pulitzer PrizeNational Book AwardGoodreads Choice AwardsNobel Prize in LiteratureNew York TimesCaldecott MedalNebula Award
    Featured Topics
    ManagementAmerican HistoryWarTradingStoicismAnxietySex
    Best books by Year
    2025 Best Non Fiction Books2024 Best Non Fiction Books2023 Best Non Fiction Books
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    Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGeorge OrwellO. J. SimpsonBarbara O'NeillWinston ChurchillCharlie Kirk
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    The Revolutionary Power of Nonconformity

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    What if everything we believe about successful innovators is wrong? The most impactful originals aren't fearless risk-takers who bet everything on their vision. They're calculated strategists who hedge their bets. The founders of Warby Parker kept their day jobs while revolutionizing the eyewear industry. Phil Knight sold shoes from his trunk while working as an accountant before Nike became iconic. Sara Blakely invested just $5,000 in creating Spanx while maintaining her fax machine sales job for two years. Even Bill Gates took a formal leave of absence from Harvard with his parents' financial backing. The most successful originals manage risk like a diversified portfolio-taking extreme chances in one domain while remaining extraordinarily cautious in others. Research consistently shows entrepreneurs aren't risk-lovers but calculated decision-makers who prefer ventures with higher probability of success over potentially larger but riskier payoffs. What truly distinguishes originals is their refusal to accept defaults. Most people live in what researchers call an "Internet Explorer world," accepting whatever comes pre-installed in their lives. A fascinating study revealed that customer service employees who used Firefox or Chrome stayed in their jobs 15% longer and performed better than those using pre-installed browsers. This wasn't about technical skill but initiative-they had downloaded these browsers rather than accepting defaults, reflecting their approach to life. Originality begins with curiosity-experiencing what Grant calls "vuja de," seeing familiar situations with fresh perspective, as Warby Parker's founders did when questioning why glasses cost more than smartphones. By challenging assumptions rather than accepting them, anyone can begin the journey toward meaningful innovation.

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    The Courage to Create Change