By Rachael Fraser, Leadership Coach and ICG member
Do you ever feel like there’s more inside you – untapped abilities, unseen strengths, or a greater version of yourself just waiting to emerge? We’re all capable of more than we realise, but in the rush of everyday life, it’s easy to stay stuck in the familiar.
That’s where Hidden Potential, the latest book by Adam Grant, comes in. Grant, a powerhouse in professional development and organisational psychology, explores how we can unlock our latent abilities and break through barriers to success. Malcolm Gladwell calls it “his finest work… it will inspire you to bigger dreams.”
But let’s be honest, we don’t always have time to read every brilliant book out there. That’s why I’m bringing you three powerful insights from Hidden Potential that you can use right now.
1. Potential Is Not Fixed – It’s Built
Many of us grow up believing that talent is something you either have or you don’t. You’re naturally good at something, or you’re not. But Grant dismantles this myth, showing that potential isn’t about where you start, it’s about how you grow. He draws on research to prove that ability isn’t static; it’s shaped by our habits, environments, and the effort we put in. One of his most compelling arguments is that people often underestimate the role of persistence and overestimate the role of natural talent. Those who succeed are usually not the most naturally gifted but rather the ones who keep showing up, learning, and improving over time.
How to Apply This Insight:
• Shift your focus from talent to effort. Instead of saying, “I’m just not good at this,” start asking, “How can I get better?”
• Develop a practice routine that emphasises continuous improvement, whether it’s in your career, fitness, or personal development.
• Surround yourself with people who challenge you and encourage growth, rather than those who reinforce limiting beliefs.
2. Embrace Discomfort – It’s Where Growth Happens
One of the reasons many people never unlock their full potential is because they avoid discomfort. It’s human nature to seek ease and familiarity, but Grant argues that the most successful individuals deliberately put themselves in challenging situations that force them to grow.
Take, for example, world-class performers. They don’t just practice what they’re already good at; they intentionally push into areas where they struggle. This is known as “deliberate practice,” a concept made famous by psychologist Anders Ericsson. Instead of reinforcing existing strengths, deliberate practice focuses on improving weaknesses through targeted effort and constructive feedback.
How to Apply This Insight:
• Seek challenges instead of avoiding them. If something feels difficult, it’s probably a sign that you’re growing.
• Ask for feedback from mentors, colleagues, or coaches—even when it’s uncomfortable. Growth happens when we address our blind spots.
• Try something new that pushes you outside your comfort zone, whether it’s public speaking, leadership, or a new skill you’ve been avoiding.
3. Success Is a Team Sport
We often celebrate individual achievement, but Grant emphasizes that success is rarely a solo endeavour. The most successful people don’t just focus on their own growth, they build strong networks, learn from others, and surround themselves with supportive communities (being an active member of the ICG is perfect!).
He highlights research showing that mentorship, collaboration, and diverse perspectives accelerate personal and professional growth. People who actively engage in learning communities – whether through mastermind groups, mentorship programs, or structured book clubs – tend to achieve more than those who go it alone.
How to Apply This Insight:
• Build a circle of people who challenge and support you. Seek out mentors, accountability partners, or learning communities.
• Contribute to others’ growth. Teaching, mentoring, or sharing your knowledge will deepen your own learning.
• Engage in professional development groups or book clubs to stay inspired and expand your perspective.
This is just a taste of the incredible insights from this book! If you enjoyed reading this and want more…
Join My Accelerated Book Club!
If you love personal development books but struggle to find time to read—or if you read them but forget key insights and never implement them—I’ve got you covered.
The Accelerated Book Club is not your typical book club. I do the hard work for you, distilling the most valuable lessons from top professional development books and guiding you through interactive exercises to embed the learning. You’ll receive a journal to complete as we go, and by the end of each session, you’ll have a personalised action plan you can apply immediately.
And the best part? It all happens in your lunch hour.
We usually have 5 to 15 participants per session, with time at the end for discussion and Q&A.
Next Session: Thursday 5th June @ 12 PM
📖 Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
✨50% discount for ICG members who are new to ABC! Use code: ICG ✨
🔹 Book Your Spot Here
NB: Future sessions cost just £29 (+ booking fee) with no ongoing commitment—you can join whenever a book sparks your interest.
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