Granted

Granted, by Adam Grant, is a newsletter focused on psychology, work, and broader societal issues. It covers themes such as the impact of astrology, email etiquette, toxic positivity, leadership, book recommendations, the concept of hidden potential, and the importance of generosity and kindness. Grant explores scientific insights, offers advice for personal and professional growth, and challenges common beliefs and practices.

Psychology Workplace Culture Leadership and Management Personal Development Communication Strategies Scientific Criticism Book Recommendations Educational Practices Societal Issues

The hottest Substack posts of Granted

And their main takeaways

We need to talk about astrology

18608 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🔬 Science Astrology Personality Traits Genetics Research Findings Cognitive Biases
  1. Astrology does not have scientific backing and can lead to harmful stereotypes and discrimination.
  2. Studies have shown that zodiac signs do not correspond to personality traits, and astrology cannot predict life outcomes.
  3. Belief in astrology may indicate a lack of critical thinking skills and could lead to acceptance of other unfounded beliefs.

Beyond toxic positivity

16412 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Emotions Resilience Wellbeing
  1. In tough times, merely promoting positivity doesn't help people cope; it's important to acknowledge and support them through their pain.
  2. Strength comes from being genuinely supported, not from pretending everything is always okay.
  3. It's essential to strike a balance between recognizing difficult emotions and maintaining a sense of hope for the future.

The 12 new idea books to launch 2024

11240 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
📚 Literature Mental health Connection Leadership Thinking Burnout
  1. Mental Health and Well-Being: Discover how a little therapy can lead to lasting change and how to move from languishing to flourishing.
  2. Connection and Community: Learn about the power of being like-hearted without needing to be like-minded and practical steps for unity in a divided world.
  3. Leadership and Power: Explore resources on fixing organizational problems, finding purpose after major life transitions, and improving critical thinking for wiser decisions.

Book giveaway

19806 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
📚 Literature Social Commentary
  1. Gratitude book giveaway for loyal readers on Hidden Potential launch
  2. Interesting insight from Hidden Potential quiz results on key character skills
  3. Variations in character strengths based on gender, age, work, and country
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Your highlights of 2023, and overcoming helplessness in 2024

7427 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Empathy Compassion Self-Improvement Personal Growth
  1. Compassion involves acknowledging distress even if you can't solve it, helping people feel seen.
  2. Top 10 links of 2023 included topics like the effective use of language, email etiquette, and cultural communication differences.
  3. Podcasts on bringing out positivity in kids, unlocking hidden potential, recharging on weekends, and building leadership skills.

The future of AI, work, and the world

4751 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Work Geopolitics Psychology Podcasts
  1. Encourage a love for learning in kids rather than pushing for practical majors. Liberal arts education is about expanding minds, not just building careers.
  2. Gain diverse perspectives to broaden your mind. Explore topics like AI, global geopolitics, and work happiness.
  3. Question the status quo in education and work. Focus on asking the right questions, embracing ambiguity, and challenging common myths.

What If We Chose Leaders by Lottery?

10781 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Reforms Democracy Experimentation
  1. The current system for selecting public officials is flawed and often attracts self-serving candidates.
  2. Radical proposals like selecting leaders by lottery can spark important conversations about improving our electoral system.
  3. Experimenting with alternative methods of choosing leaders is necessary to attract and elect better officials.

If You Do This, Your Emails Might Be Rude

16931 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
💼 Business Communication Etiquette Networking Collaboration Feedback
  1. Don't require acknowledgment that an email was received. It can come off as needy or paranoid.
  2. Instead of directly asking someone to share your content, explain why it might interest them. They're more likely to share it out of genuine interest.
  3. When seeking feedback, focus on asking for advice on a specific issue rather than expecting a detailed critique.

Your Hidden Potential

6169 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-Improvement Mental health
  1. Invest in developing character skills alongside cognitive skills.
  2. Consider taking the character skills quiz to identify strengths and areas for growth.
  3. Stay tuned for insights on interesting patterns from quiz results and join the upcoming book tour to learn more.

The 12 New Fall Books to Enrich Your Thinking

6648 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
📚 Literature Leadership
  1. Optimizing everything may not always lead to the best outcomes in life and society
  2. Learning from failure is crucial for growth and bouncing back after setbacks
  3. Recognizing loss of self and regaining control of identity can lead to a more fulfilling life

The secret I’ve been keeping from you

10821 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
📚 Literature Books Authorship Empowerment Self-Improvement
  1. The book "Hidden Potential" by Adam Grant explores how progress is more about motivation and opportunity than talent.
  2. We all have hidden potential, and it's not just for underdogs or late bloomers, but for everyone in schools, teams, and workplaces.
  3. The focus should be on the progress made along the way towards achieving goals, not just reaching peaks.

The power of having the same teacher again

3234 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🚌 Education Reforms Research Policy Implementation Relationships
  1. Looping, which involves keeping students with the same teacher for multiple years, has shown to have benefits like increased test scores, attendance, and decreased disciplinary incidents.
  2. Small effect sizes in looping studies may have practical significance when aggregated across many students; looping could have stronger effects on attitudes and behaviors than standardized test scores.
  3. When considering looping in education, it's important to address concerns such as potential teacher burnout, unintended consequences, and the misattribution of successful educational practices in other countries to looping.

Granted: The case for slow replies, and insights on facing fear and finding hope

6149 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Personal Growth Podcasts Leadership
  1. Weekends and holidays are for rejoicing, not just for recovering from burnout.
  2. Anonymous gestures of hope, psychology of anxiety overcoming, and impact of daily interactions are key to finding hope and facing fears.
  3. Slow email replies do not indicate lack of care; it's often a result of overwhelming work demands in an 'always on' culture.

MBTI, If You Want Me Back, You Need to Change Too

8705 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🔬 Science Personality Research Psychology Experiments Evidence
  1. Consider embracing the latest data to improve the theory by moving away from antiquated ideas and focusing on more reliable traits.
  2. Demand real evidence for efficacy by conducting randomized, controlled experiments to validate the benefits claimed by MBTI.
  3. Understand that many scientists have left MBTI due to concerns about its validity and its historical associations with racism and sexism.

The 13 New Books to Expand Your Mind in 2023

7906 implied HN points • 28 Jan 23
📚 Literature Fiction Self-help Philosophy Nonfiction Motivation
  1. Tim Urban's book 'What's Our Problem?' offers insightful analysis on societal issues and how to combat polarization and tribalism.
  2. Nedra Glover Tawwab's 'Drama Free' provides valuable advice on handling family relationships, emphasizing the importance of mental health in families.
  3. Bill Hammack's 'The Things We Make' unravels the engineering behind human masterpieces, making engineering concepts accessible even for those who don't love math.

The 11 New Idea Books to Spring into Summer

5690 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
📚 Literature Motivation Work Social Change Thinking
  1. Motivation is key: Explore books on perfectionism, finding motivation, and unleashing creativity to overcome obstacles and move forward.
  2. Work-life balance matters: Discover titles advocating for good quality jobs, designing work around life, and finding significance in work for a fulfilling career.
  3. Social change and innovation are crucial: Learn from books on sparking revolutions, promoting inclusivity, and reimagining government for a more inclusive and digital future.

Why you’re not an impostor and you don’t need a best friend

4452 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Psychology Relationships
  1. Friendship is about mutuality, not exclusivity. You don't have to rank friends or rely on one person for everything.
  2. Cultural differences impact communication styles. Americans being perceived as fake and the Dutch as rude is explored in a behavioral science article.
  3. Impostor syndrome is contradictory. When others believe in you but you doubt yourself, it might be time to trust their judgment over your own.

GRANTED: Connecting with your future self and learning from the past

399 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
🚌 Education Learning Self-Improvement Work
  1. Learning isn't complete just by acquiring knowledge, but by consistently applying it to evolve and improve.
  2. Closing the gap between awareness and action is the ultimate test of growth.
  3. Reject the illusion of continuity for wiser choices; emotional labor is as important as physical and cognitive labor; consider reimagining work methods from hunter-gatherer societies.

GRANTED: The case for closing open offices and opening our minds

99 implied HN points • 30 Sep 22
💼 Business Productivity Psychology Podcasts Leadership
  1. It's important to balance caring about others' opinions and being true to your values, without conforming.
  2. Open offices have negative impacts like increased sick days and lower cognitive performance; access to private spaces is crucial for health and productivity.
  3. Consider the future of intelligence and survival; exploring deep-held beliefs and opening minds can lead to growth and progress.

GRANTED: My new podcast

99 implied HN points • 14 Sep 22
🎙 Podcasts Interviews Creativity Leadership Self-Improvement Entertainment
  1. Adam Grant's new podcast "Re:Thinking" features guests discussing new thoughts and ways of thinking.
  2. Upcoming episodes will explore topics like fear, goals, leadership, and reinvention with a diverse range of guests including Mark Cuban, Atul Gawande, and Reese Witherspoon.
  3. Past episodes of the podcast include conversations with thought leaders, creators, and leaders like Brené Brown, Dolly Parton, and Indra Nooyi.

GRANTED: Why "quiet quitting" is trending and repeating yourself is a good habit

99 implied HN points • 28 Aug 22
🚌 Education Psychology Communication Self-Improvement
  1. Personality is not fixed - who you become is about what you choose to do with your traits.
  2. Quiet quitting is a response to poor work environments; meaningful work, respect, and fair pay can inspire people to excel.
  3. Repeating yourself is crucial for good communication; leaders are more likely criticized for undercommunicating than overcommunicating.

GRANTED: Better arguments and new books

79 implied HN points • 30 Jul 22
🚌 Education Learning Books Debates Psychology Friendship
  1. Impostor syndrome can be reframed as a growth mindset by acknowledging one's current abilities and the potential for improvement.
  2. Learning how to argue better can strengthen relationships and improve critical thinking skills.
  3. Engaging in small debates can be a valuable opportunity for personal growth and preparation for larger discussions.

GRANTED: My favorite books—and your favorite links—of 2021

19 implied HN points • 28 Dec 21
📚 Literature Books Podcasts
  1. It's crucial to invest in those who understand they have room to grow rather than those who are overly confident. Building confidence is easier than dismantling arrogance.
  2. Some top highlights of 2021 include favorite books exploring various topics, resources on escaping languishing, and popular podcast episodes featuring prominent guests.
  3. Learning, growing, and staying connected with insightful resources like books, articles, and podcasts can contribute positively to personal development and well-being.

GRANTED: Why the Oxford comma is (sometimes) needed

39 implied HN points • 15 Nov 20
🎭️ Culture Language
  1. Prestigious universities don't always lead to better performance, as motivation and talent matter more.
  2. Fragmented leisure time, caused by technology interruptions, can be improved by allocating uninterrupted time for relaxation.
  3. Countries with female leaders experienced lower COVID-19 fatality rates, showcasing effective crisis management.

GRANTED: Overcoming languishing and finding flow

19 implied HN points • 07 Sep 21
🏥 Health & Wellness Productivity Mental health
  1. During the pandemic, many people are still struggling and feeling stagnant. The remedy doesn't always have to involve being productive; it can simply be doing something playful.
  2. Returning to activities that bring you joy, like giving a TED talk after a long break, can help you transition from a state of languishing to a state of flow.
  3. Engaging in activities that spark childlike excitement and creativity can be beneficial for overcoming feelings of stagnation and finding a sense of flow in your life.