Improve at improving
While studying character skills, Adam Grant identified specific forms of proactivity, determination, and discipline that matter relating to stretching oneself to learn and grow. In his book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, he says that “Traveling great distances requires the courage to seek out the right kinds of discomfort, the capacity to absorb the right information, and the will to accept the right imperfections” (Grant, Hidden Potential, p. 22). Here are some highlights:
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable: The popular educational practice in schools focusing on specific learning styles may be counterproductive to the learning process. Using only what is easy and comfortable can deprive you of the opportunity to improve on weaknesses. “Sometimes you even learn better in the mode that makes you the most uncomfortable, because you have to work harder at it.” Grant connects procrastination not with laziness, but with avoiding discomfort. “Many people associate procrastination with laziness. But psychologists find that procrastination is not a time management problem-it’s an emotion management problem. When you procrastinate, you’re not avoiding effort. You’re avoiding the unpleasant feelings that the activity stirs up” (p. 28-29).
Procrastination
When you procrastinate, you’re not avoiding effort. You’re avoiding the unpleasant feelings that the activity stirs up” (p. 28-29).
To emphasize this point, Adam introduces two people in his book that learned new languages as adults. He interviewed them and noticed a common theme. They both pushed themselves to be deliberately awkward and rather than run away from discomfort, they “stumbled toward it to continue growing.” Sara and Benny from his book both strived to increase mistakes rather than reducing them and they did this by putting themselves in uncomfortable situations as often as possible by speaking the language they wanted to learn before they felt ready.
TAKEAWAY: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable! “If we wait until we feel ready to take on a new challenge, we might never pursue it at all . . . We become prepared by taking the leap anyway” (p. 41).
The Human Sponge - quantity of information versus quality: Grant uses the sea sponge as an example and metaphor to demonstrate how important the capacity to absorb, filter and adapt enables sponges to grow and thrive and how that holds true for human learning as well. “Improving depends not on the quantity of information you seek out, but the quality of the information you take in. Growth is less about how hard you work than how well you learn” (p. 44).
“Improving depends not on the quantity of information you seek out, but the quality of the information you take in. Growth is less about how hard you work than how well you learn” (Grant, p. 44).
Adam identifies two key habits related to committed learning. The first being how you acquire information. Do you react to what comes into your life or are you proactive in seeking new knowledge, skills and perspectives? The second relates to filtering information: “Do you focus on feeding your ego or fueling your growth?” (p. 49).
Proactive and ego driven learners are active seekers of feedback, but if it’s negative and doesn’t match their worldview, it gets weeded out - it’s too uncomfortable. Proactive and growth oriented people are often considered to be coachable or teachable. They embrace the uncomfortable and internalize input that might help them develop, but their growth depends on guidance from others - they rarely take their learning into their own hands. The “sweet spot” is when people are proactive and growth oriented. That’s when they become sponges. They consistently take initiative and expand themselves to adapt.
Next, improving requires input from others. Grant discovered that asking for advice allowed for specific ways to do better the next time whereas feedback focused more on what you did wrong. He believes getting input about what you can change in the future rather than dwelling on what you did wrong in the past is much more supportive of learning and growth. Finding a mentor or coach that cares, is credible and who understands you are important criteria in choosing a mentor or coach.
TAKEAWAY: Be a sponge (this is more than a metaphor - it’s a character skill - a form of proactivity that’s vital to realizing hidden potential) and seek input from a trusted mentor or coach to help you learn and grow.
Imperfectionists - finding the sweet spot between flawed and flawless
Using examples from architecture, academics, and athletics, Adam is able to demonstrate the significance of finding the sweet spot between flawed and flawless.
Architecture - Tadao Ando, an esteemed Japanese architect, rejects the notion of perfectionism. One of his specialties is deciding when to push for the best and when to settle for good enough. For Ando, he prioritizes durability and design over comfort. He’s uncompromising on form and less on function.
Academics - There is strong evidence that perfectionism has been rising in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. An environment of harsh criticism and zero tolerance of mistakes in academics isn’t helpful to our children. Adam’s research suggested three things that perfectionists tend to get wrong: 1. They obsess about details that don’t matter. 2. They avoid unfamiliar situations and difficult tasks that might lead to failure, and 3. They berate themselves for making mistakes which makes it harder for them to learn from them.
Athletics - Inspired by watching a diver at a local swimming pool, Adam learned some dives over the summer before entering high school. He tried out for the freshman diving team and with the help of his high school coach, learned first hand about the importance of accepting imperfections. He learned that flaws are inevitable and was taught how to aim for goals that were at the edge of his abilities. He said, “Appreciating progress depends on remembering how your past self would see your current achievements. If you knew five years ago what you’d accomplish now, how proud would you have been?” (p. 74).
Accepting imperfections and appreciating progress
“Appreciating progress depends on remembering how your past self would see your current achievements” (Grant, p. 74).
TAKEAWAY: Excellence is more than meeting other people’s standards, it’s about living up to your own. Create a way to specifically measure the standard you want to reach on a project and remember that growth is about progress, not perfection!
Reflection: Are you comfortable with being uncomfortable? What type of “sponge” are you? Are you seeking progress or perfection? Which of these areas would be most helpful for you to focus on in your personal growth?
Action: Take Adam Grant’s Hidden Potential Assessment to find out your strongest character skill and which one you could strengthen in order to unlock hidden potential.
Tool: Adam Grant’s Hidden Potential Assessment