There are two routes to achievements: Conformity and Originality.
Conformity means following the crowd down conventional paths and maintaining the status quo.
Originals take the road less traveled, championing a set of novel and useful ideas that go against the grain but ultimately make things better. Originals don't stop with ideas, they take the initiative to make them a reality.
The hallmark of originality is rejecting the default and exploring whether better options exist. It starts with curiosity.
Originals take the road less traveled, championing a set of novel and useful ideas that go against the grain but ultimately make things better. Originals don't stop with ideas, they take the initiative to make them a reality.
The hallmark of originality is rejecting the default and exploring whether better options exist. It starts with curiosity.
Is originality only for gifted people?
No. Gifted people often apply their extraordinary abilities in ordinary ways, mastering the existing without questioning status quo. Practice makes perfect, but it doesn't make new.
The biggest barrier to originality is not idea generation - it's shortage of people who excel at choosing the right ones.
The biggest barrier to originality is not idea generation - it's shortage of people who excel at choosing the right ones.
When you have an idea, don't run straight to your manager. Run your pitches by peers – they are poised to spot the potential and the possibilities.
I am a person that prefers to dive into tasks early and finish them ahead of schedule. From the childhood we have been taught not to wait until the last minute.
I am a person that prefers to dive into tasks early and finish them ahead of schedule. From the childhood we have been taught not to wait until the last minute.
Originals procrastinate, i.e., intentionally delaying work that needs to be done. Be quick to start, but slow to finish. Wait for best idea, not the first one.
Being original doesn't require being first, it just means being different and better. By taking a break in your work you are more likely to engage in divergent thinking and give ideas time to incubate.
Groupthink is the enemy of originality; people feel pressured to conform to the dominant, default views instead of championing diversity of thought. Social bonds don't drive groupthink; the culprits are overconfidence and reputational concerns.
The easiest way to encourage non-conformity is to introduce a single dissenter. Disrupting consensus encourages the group members to engage in divergent thinking. Dissenting opinions are useful even when they are wrong.
The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader. Find one person who believes in your vision, and begin tackling the problem together.
To become original, you have to try something new, which means accepting some measure of risk. Choosing to challenge the status quo is an uphill battle, and there are bound to be failures, barriers, and setbacks along the way.
Being original doesn't require being first, it just means being different and better. By taking a break in your work you are more likely to engage in divergent thinking and give ideas time to incubate.
Groupthink is the enemy of originality; people feel pressured to conform to the dominant, default views instead of championing diversity of thought. Social bonds don't drive groupthink; the culprits are overconfidence and reputational concerns.
The easiest way to encourage non-conformity is to introduce a single dissenter. Disrupting consensus encourages the group members to engage in divergent thinking. Dissenting opinions are useful even when they are wrong.
The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader. Find one person who believes in your vision, and begin tackling the problem together.
To become original, you have to try something new, which means accepting some measure of risk. Choosing to challenge the status quo is an uphill battle, and there are bound to be failures, barriers, and setbacks along the way.
Having a sense of security in one domain gives us the freedom to be original in another.
Originals operate differently when making decisions. Rather than a logic of consequence trying to predict the outcome, they turn inward to their identity. They base the decision on who they are or who they want to be.
We all have ideas for improving our workplace, schools and communities. Sadly, many of us hesitate to take action to promote them.
Originals operate differently when making decisions. Rather than a logic of consequence trying to predict the outcome, they turn inward to their identity. They base the decision on who they are or who they want to be.
We all have ideas for improving our workplace, schools and communities. Sadly, many of us hesitate to take action to promote them.
What will you do with your idea next time?
"Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World" by Adam Grant.
