No one wants to hear everything that's in your head. They just want you to live up to what comes out of your mouth.
Adam GrantRead
This is what I find most magnetic about successful givers: they get to the top without cutting others down, finding ways of expanding the pie that benefit themselves and the people around them. Whereas success is zero-sum in a group of takers, in groups of givers, it may be true that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Successful individuals uplift others rather than diminish them, leading to shared benefits.
In this quote, Adam Grant highlights the difference between givers and takers in the pursuit of success. Givers achieve their goals while also creating opportunities for others, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. This stands in contrast to takers, who may see success as a zero-sum game where one person's gain is another's loss. Grant suggests that in a community of givers, the collective success can exceed what individuals could accomplish alone.
Themes
SuccessGivingCollaborationBenefitsCommunity
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech, to emphasize the importance of teamwork and generosity.
More from Adam Grant
All quotes →In the eyes of many people, giving doesn't count unless it's completely selfless. In reality, though, giving isn't sustainable when it's completely selfless.
Adam GrantRead
When you procrastinate, you're more likely to let your mind wander. That gives you a better chance of stumbling onto the unusual and spotting unexpected patterns.
Adam GrantRead
We have many identities, and we can't be authentic to them all. The best we can do is be sincere in our efforts to earn the values we claim.
Adam GrantRead
We all have thoughts and feelings that we believe are fundamental to our lives but that are better left unspoken.
Adam GrantRead
You want people who choose to follow because they genuinely believe in ideas, not because they're afraid to be punished if they don't. For startups, there's so much pivoting that's required that if you have a bunch of sheep, you're in bad shape.
Adam GrantRead
Similar quotes
Having a track record to live up to and the history of successes had become a hindrance. It becomes harder to break out of what people expect you to do.
Paul SimonRead
The success I have achieved in bodybuilding, motion pictures, and business would not have been possible without the generosity of the American people and the freedom here to pursue your dreams.
Arnold SchwarzeneggerRead
Building the right product requires systematically and relentlessly testing that vision to discover which elements of it are brilliant, and which are crazy.
Eric RiesRead
The way a team plays as a whole determines its success.
Babe RuthRead
Be careful of success; it has a dark side.
Robert RedfordRead
Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to doDon't wish it were easier, wish you were better.
Jim RohnRead