Self-growth
Business & Career
Success
Communication
Healing
Relationships
Psychology
HappinessYou’ll learn
- What makes ideas succeed or fail
- How procrastination can fuel creativity
- How rebels make smart choices
- The art of turning negatives into positives
Table of contents
first KEY POINT
Understanding the difference between conformity and originality
There are two types of fundamental aspects of the world that shape the lives of humans — conformity and originality. Conformity is when humans stick to the default way of doing things, fearing a paradigm shift because it has been the normal way. These kinds of humans never challenge the default programming because they are either ignorant or too scared to see beyond their horizon.On the other hand, originality deals with people willing to question the default and put life to the test. So it programs through various deconstructions to see if there are better ways. These types of people are creatives and innovators.
Originals take pride in learning more and experimenting with different ideas to create more solutions.
When four students channeled their inner originality in the fall of 2008, they didn’t know to which extent, but they were on course to change people’s views of creativity and ideas. Having been victims of outrageous eyeglass prices, neck–deep in loans, and tired of complaining, they sought to create an innovation that would make it easier to purchase quality eyeglasses at lower prices. Then, a pair of eyeglasses cost about $500, but these students were planning to create a platform to sell them online for $95 a pair!At this point, these four students were trying to go against the norm. When they discussed their ideas with people, many of them disregarded the project and doomed it to fail; even the pioneers were not so sure it would succeed, but they went ahead with it regardless. Fast–forward a few years later, and the company named Warby Parker grew up to be one of the best companies to ever come around, with an estimate of $1 billion in value.The ingredients of remarkable success are primarily dependent on originality. But, unfortunately, originality doesn’t necessarily come from extraordinary brilliance or intelligence. A large percentage of world innovators were not exceptionally brilliant when they were kids.
Originality is a product of continuous thoughts, ideas, and practices that come in different dimensions.
Great ideas start with creativity that grows past illusion to become a reality. Several of the advanced technologies at our disposal today used to be mere imaginations of some revolutionaries. Peruse this tidbit to the end to understand what it takes to be an Original.
second KEY POINT
Understanding investors and knowing the best ideas
Not all ideas are going to boom into a successful innovation. The chances of a product getting massive success greatly leans on the side of the customers, the people who would end up using the products. Despite this, it is essential to know that these ideas are worth trying, whether they are successful or not. All you need to do is take calculated risks and understand your stance on the whole project.Building Segway seemed to be the next big thing when Dean Kamen invented it. Such was the belief that Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, offered to buy 10% of the company for $63 million. Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, got involved, and John Doerr, the famous investor, poured a whopping $80 million into it. The self–balancing scooter was billed to sell in profit of $1 billion within a short period, but six years later, they’ve barely sold 30,000 pieces for a product that went for around five to eight thousand dollars each.Segway was a brilliant idea, but it was not the right idea. Often, the problem is not in lack of ideas; it is in the selection of ideas. The selection of the best ideas requires a lot of commitment, learning, and belief.
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first KEY POINT
Mastering the techniques of decision and negotiation can be the difference between a successful idea and a failed one
second KEY POINT
Timing, strategy, and coalition form the basis on which significant innovations are built
third KEY POINT
Family backgrounds and nurturing originality in the workplace
fourth KEY POINT
Great originals experience challenges and downtimes but they surmount them by taking strategic steps
fifth KEY POINT
Conclusion
Related summaries
Frequently asked questions
What is Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World about?
Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World, written by Adam Grant, explores how innovators and non-conformists challenge the status quo. The book delves into the psychology of originality, highlighting strategies that individuals can employ to foster creativity and bring transformative ideas to life.
What are the key takeaways from Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World?
Key takeaways from Originals include understanding the importance of questioning norms, embracing failure as a learning process, and the value of nurturing collaborations to drive creative solutions. Grant emphasizes that anyone can become a non-conformist by developing an original mindset.
Is Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World worth reading?
Yes, Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World is definitely worth reading for anyone interested in creativity and innovation. Adam Grant provides compelling research and practical advice that not only inspires but also equips readers to think differently and take action.
How many pages is Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World and when was it published?
Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World has approximately 320 pages and was published on March 7, 2016. This influential book combines engaging storytelling with insightful research to help readers understand what it takes to be original.
How can Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World help aspiring innovators?
Originals provides valuable insights for aspiring innovators by outlining the characteristics that define original thinkers and sharing practical tips for overcoming self-doubt and societal pressures. Adam Grant's research offers a roadmap for turning innovative ideas into reality.