What Adam Grant thinks about motivation
Organizational psychologist and professor at the Wharton School. Author of Give and Take, Originals, Think Again and Hidden Potential, host of the Re:Thinking podcast, and writer of the GRANTED newsletter.
Adam Grant did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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2 dated positions, 2026, in their own words. Our reading of what Adam Grant has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Our readingChronic people pleasing stems from a need for others' approval, not genuine concern for them.
Their wordsThe root of chronic people pleasing is not concern for others. It's concern for their acceptance and approval.
↗The Truth About People Pleasingadamgrant.substack.com 1st of 3 in this piece
- 2 months earlier
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Our readingFeeling unable to help with a problem is a major risk factor for burnout and learned helplessness.
Their wordsThere's extensive evidence that feeling unable to help is a major risk factor for burnout and learned helplessness.
↗Silence Is Not Necessarily Violenceadamgrant.substack.com 1st of 5 in this piece