Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World
by Adam Grant
Book Overview
Adam Grant shatters the myth of the fearless genius and centers the true protagonists: ordinary, often cautious nonconformists who choose originality. He tracks them from spark to stand, showing how the real battle lies in picking the right ideas and pushing them past self-doubt, groupthink, and institutional drag. Through vivid cases—from the Warby Parker founders to Martin Luther King Jr.—he reveals how timing, risk management, and principled dissent turn fragile notions into world-shaping actions. The stakes are stark: let promising ideas suffocate in silence, or master the skills to question defaults, voice dissent effectively, and change what matters.
This guide dives into every chapter, profiles the key figures and characters, unpacks the central themes, and spotlights the most resonant quotes. Use it to navigate the argument, connect the stories, and swiftly apply the insights to your own original ideas.