Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
by: Adam Grant

Facilitator: Kari Sleezer, Gilbert Leadership Class XXVII and Board Member

“The bestselling author of Give and Take and Originals examines the critical art of rethinking: learning to question your opinions and open other people's minds, which can position you for excellence at work and wisdom in life
 
Intelligence is usually seen as the ability to think and learn, but in a rapidly changing world, there's another set of cognitive skills that might matter more: the ability to rethink and unlearn. In our daily lives, too many of us favor the comfort of conviction over the discomfort of doubt. We listen to opinions that make us feel good, instead of ideas that make us think hard. We see disagreement as a threat to our egos, rather than an opportunity to learn. We surround ourselves with people who agree with our conclusions, when we should be gravitating toward those who challenge our thought process. The result is that our beliefs get brittle long before our bones. We think too much like preachers defending our sacred beliefs, prosecutors proving the other side wrong, and politicians campaigning for approval--and too little like scientists searching for truth. Intelligence is no cure, and it can even be a curse: being good at thinking can make us worse at rethinking. The brighter we are, the blinder to our own limitations we can become.
 
Organizational psychologist Adam Grant is an expert on opening other people's minds--and our own. As Wharton's top-rated professor and the bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take, he makes it one of his guiding principles to argue like he's right but listen like he's wrong. With bold ideas and rigorous evidence, he investigates how we can embrace the joy of being wrong, bring nuance to charged conversations, and build schools, workplaces, and communities of lifelong learners. You'll learn how an international debate champion wins arguments, a Black musician persuades white supremacists to abandon hate, a vaccine whisperer convinces concerned parents to immunize their children, and Adam has coaxed Yankees fans to root for the Red Sox. Think Again reveals that we don't have to believe everything we think or internalize everything we feel. It's an invitation to let go of views that are no longer serving us well and prize mental flexibility over foolish consistency. If knowledge is power, knowing what we don't know is wisdom.”

COVID-19 Update:

The health and safety of our community is a top priority. So that we can continue to offer in-person events, we ask guests to review and adhere the following protocols. These protocols will remain in effect while our community is in Substantial or High Transmission: 

• All individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated, are encouraged to wear masks while inside the building, especially when distancing of 6 or more feet cannot be accommodated.
• If you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19; OR if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, or other symptoms; OR if attending an in-person meeting would compromise the health of you or a family member, please do not attend any meeting or event in-person. We will gladly accommodate you with a virtual attendance link, if possible.