meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Good Life Project

Adam Grant: What It Takes to Be An Original (and why you care)

Good Life Project

Jonathan Fields / Acast

Education, How To, Self-improvement, Business, Health & Fitness

4.6 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 22 February 2016

⏱️ 49 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Originals are the non-conformists who drive creativity and change forward—the ones who help us progress as both independent cultures and a unified species. They're Steve Jobs' "crazy ones."

Yet in spite of this, humanity has always had a fascinatingly dysfunctional relationship with originality—we simultaneously venerate and scorn it, particularly in the workplace. Originals may eventually come to be loved, but they’re almost always met with cynicism and resistance first. Because they don't fit in.

It’s a fascinating duality, and it’s one of the many things we discuss with today’s guest, Adam Grant—author of two New York Times bestselling books (Originals, Give and Take), and—at 34—the youngest tenured professor in the history of the Wharton School.

As Grant shares, thanks to shifts in social and cultural norms, it’s never been easier to be an original, but so many of us still resist the call. In this wide-ranging conversation, we go deep into how originals think and act.

We explore how we're often the worst judges of our own good ideas and what do to about it. We debunk the myth of the need to go "all in" and share how the founders of Warby Parker, one of the most innovative companies in the world, kept their days jobs.

We talk about our almost inherent willingness to underestimate ourselves and our creative capacities and what to do about it, and the importance of creating a vast volume of work in order to become an original. We dive into what happens when you try to exert power, before you have status and how that effects your ability to create change. And, so much more.

Join us as we dive headlong into originality—how it works, how it’s changed the world we live in, and why more of us need to embrace it.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Fancy a fever tree and vodka.

0:04.0

Yes, vodka, not gin, because this is

0:07.4

Fever tree Mexican lime soda.

0:10.0

Yes, soda, not tonic.

0:12.8

With Mexican lime and Japanese Yuzu

0:15.1

for a zesty, refreshing lime soda,

0:17.4

that's just sweet enough.

0:19.5

Delicious with vodka or on its own.

0:22.9

Fever tree Mexican lime soda,

0:25.3

mixed with the best.

0:27.5

Mmm, now that hits the spot.

0:30.1

Freedom is...

0:31.6

...a spontaneous day at the beach.

0:34.7

A weekend away with friends.

0:37.7

Freedom is...

0:39.2

...zip car.

0:40.7

With zip car, you can get a car or van exactly when and where you need one.

0:44.8

Just search, book, and unlock over 3,000 vehicles near you.

0:48.9

Or via our app.

0:50.8

Whether it's getting away for the day or getting around town,

0:53.9

enjoy freedom at your fingertips with zip car.

0:56.8

Download the app or search zip car to find out more.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Jonathan Fields / Acast, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Jonathan Fields / Acast and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.