As 2023 Comes to a Close, ENTtoday Editorial Advisory Board Shares Some Favorite Reading Material

Adam Grant; 2023, Viking

This book from an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania focuses not on raw talent, but on the process of improving itself. Certainly, we admire those who have innate talents at sports, acting, music, and more, but according to Grant, that tends to make us overlook the progress we could be making in our own lives and how good we might become at our own skill set.

The book uses storytelling vignettes to show that progress depends on how well a person learns rather than on how hard they work. Grant also places a focus on designing systems that create opportunities for others who’ve been underrated and overlooked.

“I’m a fan of Adam Grant’s podcast ‘Work Life,’” said Dr. Ishii, who’s senior vice president of operations at Johns Hopkins Health System in Maryland. “I think the most important point it made is that ‘natural talent’ isn’t the key to success; rather, it’s nurturing and growing and learning to achieve success.”  

Amy E. Hamaker is the editor of ENTtoday.