Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things

by Adam M. Grant

train and treat teachers as trusted professionals.

Looping allows teachers to specialize in their students, not just their subjects.

The most important lesson to teach students is that learning is fun.

When people believe they need one another to succeed in reaching an important goal, they become more than the sum of their parts.

elevate people who put the mission above their ego—and prioritize team cohesion over personal glory.

For more balanced participation and better solutions, before you meet as a group, have people generate and evaluate ideas independently.

give people multiple paths to speak up.

beware of mistaking past accomplishments and experience for future potential. Background and talent determine where people start, but character skills shape how far they can climb.

It’s not enough to look at recent or average performance—the trajectory of performance over time matters more.

create opportunities for candidates to shine. Invite applicants to share what they love and showcase their strengths.

The ultimate mark of potential is not the height of the peak you’ve reached, but the distance you’ve traveled—and helped others travel.