Book Review- Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant

 

While reading this book, it so ensued that the book, in e-format, travelled with me at random places and wherever people enquired about my current read they implored- “why do you require to read this book…you already are a thinker”.

Well, here is my instant thought on such queries …" Sir/Madam, I am just not a thinker…but an overthinker and this is the particular reason that I crave to supervise my thinking in the precise direction by forever reading."

The book title is “Think again”…and yes, this appears very lenient to advise anyone to “re-think”…but how to do that…is an important self-defining undertaking. The book is all about it.

In 1933, the philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote that “the fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.” While this is just as true today as it was in the early twentieth century, the crisis runs deeper; almost everyone recognizes arrogance and overconfidence in others—but never in themselves.

“Think Again” embodies a series of compelling arguments and varied examples to cite an array of insights and thus this is a thought-provoking read. To make maximum benefit out of this book, I read one chapter each morning and let it sink throughout the day. The chapters provide a refreshing review and reimagining of the stances we assume and their impact on our choices. In unpacking our thoughts, and thought processes or thought models we provide ourselves alternatives to unveil new areas which we never knew existed.

Grant says that when we think and talk, we often stumble into the mindset of three distinct professions: preachers, prosecutors, and politicians. We become preachers when the unwarranted strength of our convictions compels us to convert others to our way of thinking; prosecutors when our sole aim is to discredit the beliefs of others; and politicians when we seek to win favours from our chosen constituency.

The book is filled with many similar ideas and explanations. 

My favourite lesson (since I am always having a dilemma of being an imposter) is - Neither overconfidence nor a lack of confidence is good. Overconfidence is a trait typical of people with Armchair Quarterback Syndrome. They believe that they know more than they do. Its opposite is the Imposter Syndrome, found in people who, despite having the competence and skills to succeed, doubt themselves anyway. They feel they are taking somebody else’s place, and this inhibits their success.

The gist of the book is - Whatever you think you know, don't be afraid to re-think it. To those who dare to challenge their prevailing thinking, this is the guide on how to do it.

Some of the quotes from the book are-


“If knowledge is power, knowing what we don’t know is wisdom.”

“We listen to views that make us feel good, instead of ideas that make us think hard.”

“A mark of lifelong learners is recognizing that they can learn something from everyone they meet.”

“It’s a sign of wisdom to avoid believing every thought that enters your mind. It’s a mark of emotional intelligence to avoid internalizing every feeling that enters your heart.”

“After all, the purpose of learning isn’t to affirm our beliefs; it’s to evolve our beliefs.”

“We laugh at people who still use Windows 95, yet we still cling to opinions that we formed in 1995.”