Book | Think Again (2021)

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know (2021) by Adam Grant talks about a "think again" mindset that urges us always stay curiosity about alternatives, respond with an open mind for new ideas, stick to facts that tell the truth, and focus on solving the problems.

The books talked about four personas. Three of them, including the prosecutor, the politician, and preacher, lack the "think again" mindset:

• Prosecutors - prove others are wrong and win our case. Is the judgment correct?
• Politicians - win over an audience to favor our opinions. Is our view proper?
• Preachers - promote the ideals. However, are we honorable?

Instead, Grants recommend thinking like scientists who

• Always be aware of the limits of their understanding.
• Favors humility over pride, doubt over certainty, curiosity over closure.

Overconfidence and ego are two major enemies of the new mindset, leading to blindness and biases. Grant gives two examples: Dunning-Kruger Effect and confirmation bias.

In summary, the think again mindset encourages questioning ourselves and collaborating with others to find the truth to stay successful in the fast-changing world.  ​

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“We learn more from people who challenge our thought process than those who affirm our conclusions. Strong leaders engage their critics and make themselves stronger. Weak leaders silence their critics and make themselves weaker. This reaction isn’t limited to people in power. Although we might be on board with the principle, in practice we often miss out on the value of a challenge network.” ― Adam M. Grant, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know