Book Review 2024.15: Originals, Adam Grant, 254 pages, Paperback, 2016
Picked up this book during my routine quarterly visits to Blossoms book shop on Church Street, Bangalore earlier this month. I was quickly hooked on to this book while browsing through it the Metro ride back home. I finished this book in two weeks, much longer than I expected, which is a result of the numerous triggers in the book that led me explore new concepts and topics in the internet, Further, I have highlighted almost 10% of the book for further reference reflecting its value as my reference book.
The numerous examples described to highlight the ideas and concept underlying originality that is explored in this book along with the underlying psychological theories and research to reinforce the analysis provides the reader a rich experience. I was able to list down more than a dozen concepts like vuja-de of seeing something traditional with new lens that is at the core of being original, which is the opposite of déjà-vu, where an earlier experience is triggered while watching something new; the counter intuitive idea of successful entrepreneurs being the ones who eliminate risk from their risk-taking, the concept of managing risk portfolio, by derisking in other domains while taking higher risk on their venture are a few to illustrate.
Examples from various sectors like business -Polaroid and Bridgewater Associates, social movements -Women’s suffrage movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and Otpor!, the Serbian non-violent revolutionary movement and the showbusiness of TV Serials among others makes the reading of this book not only engaging, but effortless.
All those interested in knowing how inventions happen and what triggers creativity will find this book valuable. Further this book has a couple of chapters on what parents and leaders can do to foster a culture of creativity in their family and organization.
Recommend this book to all those interested in originality and fostering a culture of originality in their environment.
Happy Reading as we attempt to create a better world.
