by Adam Grant
First published 2013
Adam Grant examines how people approach workplace relationships through three distinct styles. Takers extract maximum value from others, matchers trade on equal terms, and givers contribute without expecting returns. Grant draws on his research as Wharton's youngest tenured professor to demonstrate how these interaction styles shape professional outcomes. He reveals why some givers face exploitation and burnout while others achieve remarkable success across industries. The book traces how America's top networkers built their connections and explains why a creative genius behind a hit television show remained unknown for years. Grant shows how a basketball executive turned around a losing franchise and demonstrates how Enron's collapse could have been predicted years before it happened. Through concrete examples spanning multiple sectors, he illustrates what distinguishes effective networking, collaboration, influence, negotiation, and leadership. The research challenges conventional wisdom about individual success factors like talent and hard work, showing instead how interpersonal dynamics drive achievement in today's workplace.
Genres: psychology, business, self-help, non-fiction
Vibes: fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: non-fiction, research
320 pages · Hardcover · Viking