Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success by Adam Grant

Book Summary

"Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success" by Adam Grant is an innovative guide that shows readers how to balance giving and taking in order to achieve true success. Based on research from Wharton professor Grant, the book emphasizes that successful people align giving and taking at the same level, in a balanced fashion.

The core message of the book is that success has long been attributed to striving and becoming an overachiever; however, Grant advocates for a more balanced approach, one which recognizes that ‘givers’ can be just as successful as ‘takers’ or ‘matchers’. He explains that effective ‘givers’ manage their resources shrewdly and efficiently, by creating opportunities for themselves, as well as helping others to achieve their goals.

Grant introduces the concept of ‘Reciprocal Advantage’, which is a more effective mixture of giving and taking. He explains that it is necessary to give as well as receive in order to be successful. By adopting this mindset, it creates mutual benefit for all parties involved, as opposed to competing against each other for resources.

In order to become a successful ‘giver’, he suggests understanding the art of reciprocity, which includes giving and taking on a dynamic level. It also means being aware of when to give and take, being thoughtful and generous, being mindful of others’ needs, and having the ability to read people well. Grant emphasizes that ‘givers’ benefit by reaping the rewards of what they contribute, and that ‘takers’ need to shift their mindset in order to achieve true success.

The book also discusses alternative approaches to success, such as taking the initiative and being ambitious. However, Grant reinforces that it is important to remain humble in order to maintain relationships and build trust amongst others.

In “Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success" Grant proposes a beneficial new way to succeeding, which involves a balanced approach of giving and taking. The book combines research, stories and personal experience to illustrate this concept, in an easily accessible format. As a result, readers gain a greater understanding of what navigating the world of reciprocity entails, enabling them to become successful ‘givers’ and reap the rewards that come from it.