Takers believe in a zero-sum world, and they end up creating one where bosses, colleagues and clients don't trust them. Givers build deeper and broader relationships - people are rooting for them instead of gunning for them. Adam Grant More Quotes by Adam Grant More Quotes From Adam Grant Every time we interact with another person at work, we have a choice to make: do we try to claim as much value as we can, or contribute value without worrying about what we receive in return? Adam Grant worry time appreciation Focus attention and energy on making a difference in the lives of others, and success might follow as a by-product. Adam Grant making-a-difference differences focus The more I help out, the more successful I become. But I measure success in what it has done for the people around me. That is the real accolade. Adam Grant real successful people People tend to have one of three 'styles' of interaction. There are takers, who are always trying to serve themselves; matchers, who are always trying to get equal benefit for themselves and others; and givers, who are always trying to help people. Adam Grant always-trying style people The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed. Adam Grant helping-others meaningful way Procrastinate strategically... Procrastination may be the enemy of productivity but it can be a valuable resource for creativity. Adam Grant creativity procrastination enemy Being a giver is not good for a 100-yard dash, but it’s valuable in a marathon. Adam Grant giver marathon yards Most people believe that great leaders are distinguished by their ability to give compelling answers. This profound book shatters that assumption, showing that the more vital skill is asking the right questions…. Berger poses many fascinating questions, including this one: What if companies had mission questions rather than mission statements? This is a book everyone ought to read—without question. Adam Grant skills believe book 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. Adam Grant cutting zero successful Dissenting opinions are useful even when they're wrong. So instead of speaking to highly agreeable audiences, target suggestions to people with a history of originality. Adam Grant suggestions target people If we want a better original idea, we must generate our own before we screen others' suggestions. Adam Grant suggestions want ideas Good guys are most likely to finish last, but also most likely to finish first. Adam Grant lasts guy firsts Enemies make better allies than frenemies. Adam Grant allies enemy When you put off a task, you buy yourself time to engage in divergent thinking rather than foreclosing on one particular idea. Adam Grant divergent ideas thinking When you're dealing with an ambivalent relationship, you're constantly on guard, grappling with questions of trust. Adam Grant ambivalent grappling Negative relationships are unpleasant but predictable. Adam Grant predictable negative The mark of higher education isn't the knowledge you accumulate in your head. It's the skills you gain about how to learn. Adam Grant your you education knowledge It's ironic that when you go through a tragedy, you appreciate more. You realize how fragile life is and that there are so many things to still be thankful for. Adam Grant you appreciate thankful life Being a nice person is about courtesy: you're friendly, polite, agreeable, and accommodating. When people believe they have to be nice in order to give, they fail to set boundaries, rarely say no, and become pushovers, letting others walk all over them. Adam Grant walk you believe people For years, I believed that anything worth doing was worth doing early. In graduate school, I submitted my dissertation two years in advance. In college, I wrote my papers weeks early and finished my thesis four months before the due date. My roommates joked that I had a productive form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Adam Grant roommates doing college school