Talks at GS – Adam Grant: The Psychology of Resilience

Adam Grant describes his career trajectory as feeling like "driving a 1983 Volkswagen" rather than a rocket ship, driven by a persistent sense of under-delivering despite external success.

• He admits to feeling unproductive almost constantly and struggling with imposter syndrome within networks of high achievers.
• He notes that this internal pressure raises his aspirations, keeping him motivated to continue improving.

Grant reframes originality as a portfolio strategy similar to stock market investing rather than an inherent personal trait.

• He states that higher originality correlates with a higher volume of "harebrained" or unsuccessful ideas.
• He advises that innovators should not bet on every idea but must instead diagnose where they are stuck: idea generation, selection, or pitching.

Regarding corporate strategy, Grant argues that sustainable long-term success requires prioritizing employees over shareholders and clients.

• He contends that treating employees well is the only way to ensure positive client experiences and shareholder returns over 20 to 100 years.
• He asserts that company culture and talent quality are the primary drivers of organizational "winning."

The co-authorship of Option B with Cheryl Sandberg originated from a personal friendship that developed after the sudden death of Sandberg's husband, Dave Goldberg.

• The partnership began with a New York Times series on women at work, which evolved into a collaboration on resilience after Goldberg's passing in 2015.
• The project shifted from a focus on gender to a broader study of resilience applied to both professional and personal adversity.

Sandberg's return to work 10 days after her husband's death highlighted the critical role of leader support in rebuilding confidence during grief.

• Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg intervened by validating Sandberg's contributions, stating he would rather have "25% of you" than 0%.
• This experience influenced Sandberg's leadership style, leading her to encourage others to take time off while simultaneously rebuilding their self-belief.

Grant's research methodology has shifted from mastering evidence before engagement to collaborating with organizations at the earliest stages of the research process.

• He learned from Sandberg that practical application often precedes theoretical validation, with up to three out of five applied principles potentially being incorrect initially.
• He now prioritizes on-site observation and "off-the-cuff" conversations to identify immediate organizational needs before formalizing data.

To build resilience, Grant points to leaders who openly share their own performance reviews to normalize vulnerability and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

• He cites Facebook's Carolyn Iverson, who shared her critical review with 2,400 employees to solicit feedback and demonstrate a commitment to growth.
• This transparency allows leaders to receive daily hard feedback and model the habit of admitting struggle while continuing to improve.

In a lightning round, Grant offered the following specific personal insights:

• Best advice: "Don't make the right decision, make the decision right."
• Favorite movie: A toss-up between Austin Powers 2, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Batman Begins, and The Green Mile.
• Most recent book read: The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle.
• Greatest inspiration: His grandmother.
• Preferred creative time: He identifies as a morning person generally, but generates more creative ideas at night.