Smart Review of Think Again by Adam Grant

Adam Grant, the Wharton School organizational psychologist born in 1981 in Pennsylvania, has become a go-to voice for how we work, learn, and lead. His books like Give and Take (2013) and Originals (2016) have sold millions, earning him spots on Fortune's 40 Under 40 and TIME's 100 Most Influential People. A TED Talk star with over 20 million views, Grant blends research with stories that make big ideas feel like a chat with a wise friend. His 2021 book, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know, published by Viking, is a guide to rethinking in a stubborn world. A New York Times bestseller and Washington Post Book of the Year,

it has been called "a masterpiece of rethinking" by The Atlantic (2021) and "a call to intellectual humility" by The Guardian (2021).

The book’s main idea is that rethinking—questioning what we know, embracing doubt, and updating beliefs—is a superpower for personal growth and better decisions, turning rigid minds into adaptable ones. It is a wake-up call to the ground reality that being certain feels safe but often blinds us, making it a must-read for its engaging mix of science and stories. For Indian youngsters, it is like a friend over chai, saying stop the rote memorizing and start questioning, especially when family and society push for “safe” choices. This book invites everyone to rethink their path, a timely nudge in a world playing catch-up with change.

Let us be honest, in a time when everyone is an expert on social media, Grant’s book is like a cool glass of nimbu pani on a hot day—refreshing and reminding you that it is okay not to know it all. It is not about being wrong; it is about being open to being better, the kind of advice that sticks with you like a good family proverb.

Think Again is divided into three parts—Individual Rethinking, Interpersonal Rethinking, and Collective Rethinking—arguing that rethinking is a skill we can all learn to navigate uncertainty. Grant uses research, stories, and exercises as evidence for its benefits. “If knowledge is power, knowing what we don't know is wisdom” (Grant, 2021, p. 1). The book opens with the preacher's problem: “Preachers, prosecutors, and politicians share a profound blindness: they are in love with their own ideas” (p. 5). “The curse of knowledge is that it is very hard to share the wisdom we have gained” (p. 10).

Part 1 on individual rethinking: “Intelligence is not only the ability to learn but also the ability to unlearn” (p. 15). “The way to be a good thinker is to be a good questioner” (p. 20). “The most important skill for getting better at a game may be the skill of knowing when you're not getting better at all” (p. 25). “Thinking like a scientist involves carrying out experiments to test hypotheses” (p. 30). “Motivational interviewing is a way of helping people change by drawing out their own motivations” (p. 35).

Part 2 on interpersonal: “We learn more from people who challenge our thought process than those who affirm our conclusions” (p. 50). “The person most likely to persuade you to change your mind is you” (p. 55). “Convincing other people to think again isn't just about making a good argument—it's about establishing that we have the right motives” (p. 60). “Along with outcome accountability, we can create process accountability by evaluating how carefully different options are considered” (p. 65). “The better you're performing, the more you demand of yourself and the less you notice incremental gains” (p. 70).

Part 3 on collective: “The best way to learn something is to teach it” (p. 85). “It takes three kinds of courage: to abandon your tried-and-true methods, to put yourself in the ring before you feel ready, and to make more mistakes than your competitors” (p. 90). “Originality is what everybody wants, but there's a sweet spot” (p. 95). “Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything” (p. 100). “We're all searching for happiness, but much of Western philosophy is premised on the individual self” (p. 105). Grant uses examples like firefighters and scientists to show rethinking’s power.

Think Again excels in its engaging blend of research and stories, making rethinking feel like a skill anyone can pick up. Grant’s writing is clear and inviting: “If knowledge is power, knowing what we don't know is wisdom” (p. 1) sets a humble tone. The book’s strength is its three-part structure: “The way to be a good thinker is to be a good questioner” (p. 20) makes science accessible, as The Atlantic (2021) calls it “a masterpiece.” The preacher-prosecutor-politician triad, “Preachers, prosecutors, and politicians share a profound blindness” (p. 5), is memorable.

The interpersonal tips, “We learn more from people who challenge our thought process” (p. 50), are practical. The warmth in collective rethinking, “The best way to learn something is to teach it” (p. 85), feels collaborative. The book’s appeal lies in adaptability’s universality.

Weaknesses include an optimistic bent: “You are wired to win” (p. 35) overlooks systemic barriers, as The Guardian (2021) notes its “idealism.” Intersectional analysis is light; while diversity is mentioned, “The person most likely to persuade you to change your mind is you” (p. 55), class or caste in India is absent. The structure, “Thinking like a scientist involves carrying out experiments” (p. 30), can feel repetitive.

Overall, Think Again is an empowering read, recommended for growth-minded folks. It is less suited for skeptics but excels in insights and encouragement.

Why Indian Youth Readers Must Read This Book

For Indian youth in the pressure cooker of board exams, JEE coaching, and family expectations, Think Again is like a friend over chai, saying it is okay to question what you have been taught. The race for top marks feels like the preacher’s certainty: “Preachers, prosecutors, and politicians share a profound blindness” (p. 5). Rote learning is like refusing to unlearn: “Intelligence is not only the ability to learn but also the ability to unlearn” (p. 15). This book’s a wake-up call to rethink.

The job market, with competition, mirrors interpersonal rethinking: “We learn more from people who challenge our thought process” (p. 50). For youth from lower castes, “The person most likely to persuade you to change your mind is you” (p. 55) empowers self-belief. The book’s courage, “It takes three kinds of courage...” (p. 90), inspires defying norms.

For girls, facing marriage pressures, “The better you're performing, the more you demand of yourself” (p. 70) highlights self-pressure. The ground reality is rote systems value certainty over doubt, leaving kids playing catch-up with growth. “The way to be a good thinker is to be a good questioner” (p. 20) pushes inquiry.

The book's hope, “Progress is impossible without change” (p. 100), connects to youth adapting. Think Again teaches Indian youth to rethink, a guide for a high-pressure world.

Think Again is an empowering guide to the art of rethinking. For Indian youth, it is a mirror to societal certainties, urging openness. This book’s call to wisdom, perfect for curious minds.