Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen: Episode Summary Featuring Adam Grant on "Hidden Potential"

In the March 6, 2025 episode of Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen, organizational psychologist and bestselling author Adam Grant delves into his book, "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things." The conversation explores how individuals can unlock their hidden abilities through persistence, character development, and supportive environments. Grant challenges conventional notions of talent and success, presenting a compelling argument that greatness is cultivated rather than innate.

1. The Myth of Innate Talent

Chrissy Teigen opens the discussion by highlighting society's tendency to celebrate greatness as a mysterious gift bestowed upon a select few. She introduces Adam Grant's perspective that this view is misleading and that greatness is instead the result of cultivation and persistence.

Chrissy Teigen [00:03]: "Greatness isn't something that just shows up. It's cultivated, earned through persistence, and shaped by the journey rather than the starting point."

Adam Grant echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that potential is not determined by one's starting point but by the distance one travels in developing their skills and character.

Adam Grant [05:14]: "Most people can become better at most things than they realized, because you don't ultimately have a great view of where you can land from where you start."

2. Personal Growth Through Persistence

Grant shares personal anecdotes illustrating his journey from struggling in activities like springboard diving and public speaking to achieving significant milestones, such as making it to the Junior Olympics and delivering TED talks.

Adam Grant [02:03]: "I was terrible at a bunch of things I was passionate about and wanted to get better... I ended up going from being the worst diver in my school to making the Junior Olympics."

These stories serve to dismantle the notion that success is reserved for the naturally gifted, instead showcasing how dedication and the right support can lead to remarkable achievements.

3. Embracing Discomfort

A central theme of the conversation is the importance of embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth. Grant recounts an experience where he faced harsh criticism while teaching leadership to U.S. Air Force leaders, which initially caused him to want to quit but ultimately led to significant personal and professional development.

Adam Grant [06:47]: "The courage to embrace discomfort... I have always found since then that the more I throw myself into uncomfortable situations headfirst, the more I grow."

This experience underscores the value of stepping out of one's comfort zone to foster resilience and continuous improvement.

4. The Scaffolding Theory in Education

Grant introduces the concept of scaffolding, a learning theory where educators provide structured support to learners, which is gradually removed as the learners become more competent.

Adam Grant [11:07]: "Scaffolding is one of my favorite concepts in learning theory... it's allowing them to reach a height they can't get on their own, but eventually, you're going to remove the support and they figure it out on their own."

Chrissy relates this to her experiences in teaching her children, recognizing the benefits of allowing them to discover solutions independently rather than enforcing her own methods.

5. Deliberate Play as a Path to Mastery

Discussing the difference between traditional practice and deliberate play, Grant explains how making practice enjoyable can enhance learning and retention.

Adam Grant [15:22]: "Deliberate play is to break the monotony and turn the daily grind into a source of daily joy."

He cites examples like musician Evelyn Glennie and basketball player Steph Curry, who incorporate playful challenges into their practice routines to maintain engagement and motivation.

6. Overcoming Fear of Failure

Grant addresses the universal fear of failure, sharing his personal struggle with perfectionism and how modeling vulnerability to his children has helped both him and them embrace mistakes as learning opportunities.

Adam Grant [16:55]: "There's no better way to get comfortable with making mistakes than saying, I want to model this to my own kids."

This approach fosters a family environment where taking risks and learning from failures are encouraged, promoting resilience and growth.

7. The Power of Constructive Feedback

Exploring how to seek and utilize feedback effectively, Grant suggests that asking for advice rather than feedback can lead to more actionable and future-focused insights.

Adam Grant [20:14]: "It's not as helpful to ask for feedback as it is to ask for advice... Coaches who look to the future and see your hidden potential can help you realize it."

This strategy helps individuals receive constructive guidance without becoming demoralized by criticisms or complacent with praise.

8. Teaching Character to Unlock Potential

Grant emphasizes the importance of fostering generosity and compassion in children as key character traits that contribute to personal and academic growth. He shares how his family shifted their focus from achievement to helping others, resulting in positive behavioral changes in his children.

Adam Grant [21:10]: "Raising kids to be givers, not takers... Motivated to help others, they end up learning more and growing more."

This shift encourages children to engage in meaningful interactions and develop empathy, enhancing their overall potential.

9. Practical Tools and Exercises

In the Toolkit segment, Grant shares actionable exercises to help listeners apply the principles discussed:

Count Your Contributions

Instead of focusing solely on gratitude, Grant suggests listing three ways you have helped others in the past week to build confidence and motivation.

Adam Grant [27:05]: "Ask people to come up with three ways that you helped other people or made someone else's life better in the past week."

Making Hard Decisions Through Advice

Grant introduces the concept of Solomon's Paradox, where people give better advice to others than to themselves. He recommends using advice-giving as a tool to gain perspective on personal dilemmas.

Adam Grant [29:54]: "Advice giving is a great way to force that peripheral vision and give you that higher level perspective."

Cake Time

Inspired by a Danish classroom practice, Grant proposes a family exercise where a member shares a challenge each week while others offer support and advice, fostering communication and compassion.

Adam Grant [31:40]: "Ask your kids, who did you help and who helped you?"

10. Real-World Applications in Education and Workplaces

Grant envisions a transformation in educational and professional settings by emphasizing personalized relationships and continuous growth. He advocates for longer teacher-student relationships to build deeper connections and tailored support, akin to coaching in sports or music education.

Adam Grant [24:55]: "If kids have the same teacher for multiple years, they actually learn more... Teachers can build a real connection and give personalized coaching."

In workplaces, similar principles can be applied by fostering mentorship programs and creating environments that support individual growth and potential.

Conclusion

The episode with Adam Grant provides a profound exploration of "Hidden Potential," challenging listeners to rethink their perceptions of talent and success. By embracing discomfort, fostering supportive relationships, and prioritizing character development, individuals can unlock their hidden abilities and achieve greater things. Grant's insights offer practical strategies that are applicable in personal lives, education, and professional environments, making this episode a valuable resource for anyone on a journey of personal growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Adam Grant [05:14]: "Most people can become better at most things than they realized, because you don't ultimately have a great view of where you can land from where you start."

• Adam Grant [06:47]: "The courage to embrace discomfort... I have always found since then that the more I throw myself into uncomfortable situations headfirst, the more I grow."

• Adam Grant [15:22]: "Deliberate play is to break the monotony and turn the daily grind into a source of daily joy."

• Adam Grant [20:14]: "It's not as helpful to ask for feedback as it is to ask for advice... Coaches who look to the future and see your hidden potential can help you realize it."

• Adam Grant [27:05]: "Ask people to come up with three ways that you helped other people or made someone else's life better in the past week."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and practical tools shared by Adam Grant in the episode, providing a valuable overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.