Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things

Adam Grant is the author of Hidden Potential. He is an organizational psychologist, author, and Saul P. Steinberg Professor of Management at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Born in 1981, Grant holds a BA in psychology from Harvard University and a PhD in organizational psychology from the University of Michigan. Grant has focused his career on studying and teaching about work motivation, generosity, original thinking, and the dynamics of success and failure. Grant’s research and academic contributions have established him as a recognized figure in the fields of psychology and management.

Grant is commended for his popularity as an academic, his popular science publications, and his accessible style and public engagement work. Grant has authored several bestselling books, including Give and Take (2013), Originals (2016), Option B (co-authored with Sheryl Sandberg in 2017), and Think Again (2021). These works have been translated into multiple languages. Grant’s books combine research with storytelling, aiming to make psychological and organizational concepts more accessible. Grant’s influence extends beyond his books and teaching. His podcast WorkLife, where he explores the science of enhancing productivity and meaning in the workplace, is a further part of his audience outreach work. As a speaker, Grant delivers keynote addresses at conferences and corporate events worldwide. His insights have been featured in prominent media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and TED Talks, where his ideas on leadership, creativity, and resilience have reached millions. He was rated #2 of Thinkers50’s most influential management thinkers in 2023.

In addition to his professional achievements, Grant is actively involved in various philanthropic endeavors. He supports initiatives aimed at improving education and fostering innovation. His commitment to making a positive impact extends to mentoring young professionals and aspiring leaders, helping them navigate their careers and maximize their potential. Grant’s multifaceted approach to his work and his dedication to advancing both individual and organizational success underscore his significant role in shaping contemporary thought on achieving excellence and unlocking hidden potential.

Grant’s academic background and approach to the dissemination of ideas are expressed in his accessible written style and authorly persona. Hidden Potential, like his previous books, is notable for how it employs an informal voice and simple diction to engage with serious and complex academic theories, without “dumbing down.” Grant often adopts the first-person plural “we” to foster a sense of mutual learning and intimacy with the reader and also addresses the reader directly as “you” to create a sense of a personal conversation.