Adam Grant’s Hidden Potential book isn’t just about personal growth – it’s a roadmap for designing it. The people who rise the farthest aren’t necessarily the most gifted. They’re the ones who think differently about how growth happens. Across a couple of major themes (and several models), he explains how we build character, structure learning environments, and redesign systems to unlock greatness – especially in those overlooked by society.
This blog distills the book’s primary models framework – actions for impact; it breaks down Grant’s most powerful models:
I. Build the Foundation
Lay the groundwork with identity, scaffolding, and internal clarity.
The foundation of hidden potential isn’t ability. It’s character – skills of the mind that help us stay in discomfort, absorb feedback, and act despite imperfection.
Creature of Discomfort (Virtue Model)
We must become a creature of discomfort, intentionally placing ourselves in unfamiliar, awkward spaces where learning thrives. Instead of retreating from the unfamiliar, we should lean into it with a growth posture. As Grant writes:
“Becoming a creature of discomfort can unlock hidden potential in many different types of learning. Summoning the nerve to face discomfort is character skill – an especially important form of determination. 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 others make attempts. The best way to accelerate growth is to embrace, seek, and amplify discomfort.”
Sponge (Mental Model)
We also learn best when we become a sponge. This doesn’t simply mean learning from mentors or teachers, but from failure, feedback, and lived experience. Absorbing insight from many angles makes us flexible and adaptive.
Being a sponge means more than simply soaking up information – it’s about choosing what to absorb and how to apply it. This skill, often called absorptive capacity, depends on two habits: seeking insight intentionally and filtering it wisely. Are you reacting to whatever crosses your path, or actively pursuing ideas that stretch you? And when new information arrives, are you using it to validate what you already know – or to challenge and grow what you don’t? The goal isn’t just to collect knowledge – it’s to absorb what sharpens you, and apply it before it fades.
Embrace Imperfection (Virtue Model)
Perhaps most critically, we must be imperfectionist – letting go of the illusion that excellence requires flawlessness. Grant encourages us to start messy, stay curious, and stop waiting until we’re “ready.”
In the 16th century, Japanese artisans discovered this truth through Wabi-Sabi – the art of finding beauty in imperfection. They drank from chipped bowls and admired pottery worn by use, not polished to perfection. The idea wasn’t to create flaws but to accept them – to recognize that cracks don’t diminish value; they reveal character.
Famed architect Tadao Ando lives by this mindset: he’s not careless, he’s selective. He knows what deserves perfection – and what deserves progress.
II. Build Scaffolds That Make Progress Inevitable
Success isn’t always about more grit. Often, it’s about better design. Grant offers a mental architecture to make improvements automatic – even in the face of struggle.
Turn Practice Into Play (Mental Model)
First, turn practice into play by adding novelty, choice, and flow to your repetitions. When learning becomes joyful, progress compounds.
To demonstrate this theory, Grant studied the system utilized by famed NBA basketball player, Stephen Curry. Originally, Grant assumed it was smarter to master one skill at a time – persist until results appear. But instead of repeating the same drill, NBA trainer Brandon Payne rotates Steph Curry through multiple shooting and agility challenges every twenty minutes. This constant variation not only keeps him engaged – it also improves how deeply he learns. Mixing it up builds adaptability.
“Hundreds of experiments show that people improve faster when they alternate between different skills. Psychologist call it interleaving, and it works in areas ranging from painting to math, especially when the skills being developed are similar or complex. Even small tweaks, like shifting between thinner and thicker paintbrushes or slightly adjusting the weight of a basketball, can make a big different.”
(Take Breaks to Boost Retention)
** But, as Grant emphasizes, it’s important to take breaks. Stepping away from practice isn’t wasted time – it’s fuel for progress. Breaks sustain passion, unlock fresh ideas, and strengthen memory. When we rest, our creativity rebounds, especially when we genuinely enjoy the work. Research shows that even a ten-minute pause after learning something can improve recall by up to 30 percent. Because our memories fade roughly every 24 hours, we need spaced repetition – regular breaks that help information stick instead of slip.
Take the Roundabout Path to Progress (Mental Model)
Then, take the roundabout path to progress by experimenting, detouring, and absorbing multiple influences. Straight lines may feel faster – but curves offer deeper learning.
“A rut is not a sign that you’ve tanked. A plateau is not a cue that you’ve peaked. They’re signals that it may be time to turn around and find a new route. When you’re stuck, it’s usually because you’re heading in the wrong direction, you’re taking the wrong path, or you’re running out of fuel. Gaining momentum often involves backing up and navigating your way down a different road…”
Before performance improves, it often dips. Studies from (the video game) Tetris to golf show that skills usually decline before they surge again. Sometimes, moving forward means backing up the mountain first – and accepting that retreat is part of the process. Finding the right method requires trial and error. Some attempts will fail outright. Even better techniques can make you worse before they make you better. Those backward steps aren’t setbacks – they’re prerequisites.
A typist who wants to type faster can’t keep pecking; they must relearn by touch. But before they get faster, they must slow down. Growth often hides inside that temporary drop.
Fly by Your Own Bootstrap (Mental Method)
Grant reminds us to fly by your own bootstraps: build motivation by tracking your own progress, not by comparing yourself to others. Small wins fuel momentum.
When you’re trying to master something, teach it. Explaining a concept out loud forces clarity and makes it stick. Nobel physicist Richard Feynman famously used this method – breaking down ideas in simple language to expose gaps in understanding and to sharpen his thinking.
In a group, divide topics and have each person lead a slice of the lesson – the act of teaching strengths everyone. Grant writes:
“The Tutor Effect: It’s effective for novices: the best way to learn something is to teach it. You remember it better after you recall it – and you understand it better after you explain it.”
When confidence wavers, coach instead of seeking advice. Guiding others through a challenge reminds you of what you already know. The guidance is often exactly what you need to hear. And when doubt creeps in, use both kinds of expectations as fuel. Let skeptics push you to prove them wrong, and let supporters inspire you to prove them right.