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44 pages 1 hour read

Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2016

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Book Brief

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Adam Grant

Originals

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2016
Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

2010s

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Originals, Adam Grant explores how non-conformists can drive innovation and success by challenging the status quo and taking risks. He discusses identifying original ideas, overcoming barriers posed by power dynamics, using strategic procrastination, avoiding groupthink, and fostering originality through supportive strategies. Grant emphasizes that originality, although challenging, can lead to significant happiness and success.

Informative

Inspirational

Challenging

Hopeful

Reviews & Readership

4.2

61,962 ratings

74%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Adam Grant's Originals is widely praised for its insightful exploration of creativity and innovation, offering practical advice for fostering original thinking. Readers appreciate Grant's engaging storytelling and research-backed insights. Critics, however, note that the book can sometimes feel repetitive and lacks depth in certain areas. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and accessible read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Originals?

Readers who enjoy Originals by Adam Grant are intellectually curious individuals who value innovation and creativity. They are likely fans of Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and Drive by Daniel H. Pink, seeking to understand how unconventional thinkers move the world forward.

4.2

61,962 ratings

74%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Adam Grant

An organizational psychologist and top professor at the Wharton School of Business, known for his work on originality and creativity in business. He uses anecdotes and personal experiences to convey his ideas on challenging norms and fostering innovation.

A professor and researcher at Stanford University specializing in creative forecasting. A former student and collaborator with Adam Grant, he studies how creativity influences business success and decision-making.

The cofounder of Apple and major shareholder of Pixar, recognized for his risk-taking and innovative ideas in technology and business. His intuitive approach sometimes led to major successes and setbacks.

An inventor known for creating the iBOT and Segway, representing both successful and flawed innovative pursuits. His story highlights the challenges of passionate originality.

A retired CIA intelligence analyst whose groundbreaking ideas modernized data sharing within American intelligence agencies. Her persistence and eventual success illuminate the complexities of advocating for change in large institutions.

The first Black Major League Baseball player who broke racial barriers while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Revered for his courage and risk-taking, he challenged the sports world's status quo.

A Serbian political activist who led a nonviolent civil rights movement against the Milosevic regime. His strategic use of humor and advocacy for courage exemplify originality beyond the business realm.

Founder and CEO of Bridgewater Associates, known for his unique corporate culture and emphasis on critical thinking and open feedback. His approach showcases originality in organizational management.

A leader in the suffragette movement remembered for her dedication to both women's and Black men’s rights. Her collaborative efforts underscore the importance of cultural alignment in achieving shared goals.

Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

2010s

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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