korrents

← People and their mental models

Adam Grant's mental models

2 claims Adam Grant made fit 2 mental models. Most often: Circle of competence, Say no by default. Everything they said here.

Models they name

Their own words name the idea.

Say no by default

Most good options have to be turned down, so make no the default and keep yes for what matters.

Others who think with this model

Derek SiversDes TraynorIan SilberMike KriegerPeter SellisPieter Levelsand 1 more

Open the model page

Saying no and setting boundaries are acts of self-preservation, not selfishness or letting others down.

  1. Adam Grant Organizational psychologist and professor at the Wharton School Saying no is not selfish; it's an act of self-preservation. Setting boundaries is not about letting others down-it's about standing up for yourself. The Truth About People Pleasingadamgrant.substack.com · 9 Aug 2026All korrents from this piece
    Their wordsSaying no is not selfish; it's an act of self-preservation. Setting boundaries is not about letting others down-it's about standing up for yourself.

    ↗The Truth About People Pleasingadamgrant.substack.com

    9 Aug 2026

Models we see in what they say

Our reading: their claim applies the idea without naming it. The claim is theirs; filing it here is ours.

Circle of competence

Know the edge of what you really understand, and act inside it.

Others who think with this model

Shane ParrishCharlie Munger

Open the model page

Argue like you are right and listen like you are wrong, with the humility to know what you do not know.

  1. Adam Grant Organizational psychologist and professor at the Wharton School Argue like you’re right and listen like you’re wrong. Have the humility to know what you don’t know and the curiosity to pursue knowledge and wisdom. Silence Is Not Necessarily Violenceadamgrant.substack.com · 9 Jun 2026All korrents from this piece
    Their wordsArgue like you’re right and listen like you’re wrong. Have the humility to know what you don’t know and the curiosity to pursue knowledge and wisdom.

    ↗Silence Is Not Necessarily Violenceadamgrant.substack.com

    9 Jun 2026