I read anything I can by Adam Grant. I always find his work fascinating and insightful. Sometimes he says things that I’ve always thought but have never been able to articulate, but more importantly he often challenges my assumptions and makes me see life, people and situations differently.

I’ve recently finished Adam’s book Hidden Potential. I’ve been going back over it, re-reading my scribbles and the things I’ve underlined, pulling-out quotes and reminding myself of what’s been good. I don’t know if Grant is a follower of Jesus or not, but there’s great wisdom here for everyone, whatever your role, background or culture. For those like me, seeking to be spiritual leaders, there’s much here that resonates, which assists and guides in leadership. At the heart of the book is the idea that there’s latent potential in everyone. Yes, there’s potential in ourselves, but also in others. Our job is to help release it and impact the world for good. 

Of all the good things in this book, four things particularly stood out for me, which I summarise in 4 headings. (The headings don’t come word-for-word from the book, they’re my summary).

1. Prioritise your Reading

Reading is key to growth, so read. Helping a child love to read is one the best gifts we can give them. When acclaimed writer Marilynne Robinson is asked what helped her as an author, she often says: ‘When I was a child I read books.’ But adults need to read too, for all need to keep growing in the art of reading. St Paul knew this, asking Timothy when visiting to bring him not just his coat, but also his books (2 Tim. 4:13). I’m still learning this, wanting to ensure I’ve always got at least one good book on the go, which I’m dipping into daily. As Grant say: ‘Reading is a gateway to opportunity.’

2. Value the Joy

In the busyness and complexity of life, it’s so easy to lose perspective. And for those of us who know that the best life is the disciplined life, it’s possible to develop fine habits but lose joyful contentment. We mustn’t do this, but instead cultivate joy , which I know is meant to be central to the life of following Jesus (Jn. 16:24). Adam Grant is helpful here, telling us that ‘the best way to unlock hidden potential isn’t to suffer through the daily grind. It’s to transform the daily grind into a source of daily joy. It’s not a coincidence that in music, the term for practice is play.’

3. Invest in Others

Life is not just about self-fulfilment, but about developing others, helping them lead a more expansive and impactful life. The best way to do this is to mentor others, to train and develop them. As Proverbs 27:17 says, ‘Iron sharpens iron, as one person sharpens another.’ We don’t have to wait to be experts to do this, we just need to share what we know. As we do this, we find that we grow too. That’s why Grant says: ‘The best way to learn something is to teach it.’

4. Grow in Character

A final thing that stood out for me about Hidden Potential was this: Grant’s emphasis on character. He knows that it’s our growth in virtues that both brings us most fulfilment and also has the greatest impact on our surroundings. In the same way that the church in Galatia is urged to develop the fruit of the Spirit – like love, patience, kindness and self-control (Gal. 5:22) – so Grant asks: ‘When we say success and happiness are our most important goals in life, I’m curious about why character isn’t higher on the list. What if we all invested as much time in our character skills as we do in our career skills?’

So I commend Hidden Potential. It’s a rich read not just for spiritual leaders, but for all aspiring to offer wisdom to others.