Adam Grant speaks at TEDMonterey on August 1, 2021. TEDMonterey: The Case for Optimism. August 1-4, 2021, Monterey, California. Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

The GenHERation^® 5 Questions series features our exclusive interviews with the most powerful people in the world to provide you with actionable advice on how to navigate your career path.

Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist and bestselling author who explores the science of character, connection, culture, and change.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of your career? 

Success is more than achieving your goals—it’s living your values.

Which high school or college class best prepared you for your professional career?  

Personality psychology with Brian Little and organizational psychology with Richard Hackman.

What is the go-to question you ask interview candidates? 

How would you redesign our interview process?

What is the biggest risk you have taken? 

Becoming a springboard diver despite a fear of heights or giving a TED talk in the face of significant public speaking anxiety.

What is your genius?

Taking as much joy in others’ accomplishments as my own.

You can learn from more of the most powerful people in the world here.