Reflections on Adam Grant’s Hidden Potential
I was at London’s airport, en route to Helsinki for Teemu Arina’s Biohacker Summit, with 20 pounds of cash burning a hole in my pocket. The airport bookstore called my name. So many options, but one book stood out: Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant. I picked it up, put it back down, and wandered off to browse other titles. Yet, I kept coming back to this one. Something about the idea that “we can all improve at improving” hit home. So, I took my last 20 pounds and made it mine.
Why did this book speak to me? Growing up, I didn’t have a present father, my mom worked three jobs, and we lived on assistance and free school lunches. Every step I’ve taken, every success I’ve had, has been driven by my hunger to learn and grow. Hidden Potential resonated with that drive in a way few books do—it’s like a permission slip to believe that our potential is not fixed but something we can actively shape.
What’s Inside Hidden Potential?
Adam Grant blends research, storytelling, and practical advice in a way that makes you want to underline and make notes all over the margins (and I did—see the photo!). He challenges the myth that greatness is about talent alone. Instead, it’s about character, grit, and the way we approach learning. He dives into everything from the Finnish education system to Olympic athletes, showing that our progress isn’t defined by how naturally gifted we are but by how much we grow and adapt.
Remember – I bought this book on the way to Helsinki! While reading about how the Finnish education system nurtures students to explore their interests, I was literally in Finland, talking with people about education and wellbeing. Talk about a moment of alignment! Grant’s emphasis on giving people—kids, employees, ourselves—the freedom to learn, fail, and try again really resonated. It’s about creating an environment where potential isn’t just acknowledged but cultivated.
Who Needs This Book? (Spoiler: Probably You)
Are you a leader who wants your team to achieve greater things? This book’s for you.
Are you a parent wanting to Create the Space™ for your child to reach new heights? You need this book.
Are you curious about how to unlock your own hidden potential? Grant lays it all out with practical tips and insights.
Hidden Potential is about rethinking how we see our abilities. It’s a reminder that growth is available to all of us, no matter where we start.
A Major Takeaway: Learning is the Path to Wellbeing
One of my favorite insights from the book ties right into wellbeing theory: intellect matters. In Finnish schools, they live by the mantra, “we can’t afford to waste a brain,” teaching kids that learning is not just important but fun. It’s a concept I’ve seen echoed across so many events I’ve attended, from AI conferences in South Korea to wellness events hosted right here in Colorado: our job as educators, leaders, and humans is to foster a love of lifelong learning.
And that’s exactly what Hidden Potential does. It gives you the insights to see beyond your current limits and offers a roadmap to keep climbing. So, whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, or just trying to be the best version of yourself, this book is a great guide for discovering the hidden potential inside you.
Curious to see where you stand? Check out the quiz on Adam Grant’s website.
Here’s the deal: Your potential isn’t something you find—it’s something you build. And this book is a great place to start.
I recommend you check out, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant.