Think Like a Scientist

Adam Grant is a brilliant professor and writer who wrote Think Again, a really cool book on how to keep your mind open and learn how to learn.

For many years as a teacher, teacher trainer, coordinator, and manager, I was told to be the role-model, teach, show, explain... All BS.

If only I had had the clarity of seeing things the way Adam so didactically share in his book and YouTube videos, I would have learned SO much more.

According to Adam, we THINK and TALK like one of these professionals:

1. PREACHERS - when you're convinced you have already found the truth and your job is to spread it. In other words, you are trying to change others.

2. PROSECUTORS - when you're trying to win an argument and prove your case.

3. POLITICIANS - you're essentially trying to win the approval of an audience, through campaigning and lobbying.

Sounds familiar?

I'd say I used to be a mix of the three above.

Truth is, as teachers, educators, or accidental managers and coordinators, we were taught to "help" people by telling them "the best way", or "guide" them to better practices. And I'll tell you what, in the 90s and beginning of 2000s, most people I worked with wanted a checklist, a ready-made recipe, or simply the answers to their problems, because it was fast, it demanded no responsibility, and they didn't have to "waste time thinking too much" about whatever, which is fair, because back then people were crazy busy! I think it's something we inherited from the 80s: It was "cool" to have your schedule full and being close to having a burnout. If you had free time, you were not considered "effective". Hahaha.

It was only in the past 20-30 years that we raised more awareness to mental and physical wellbeing, mindfulness, and happiness at work. Thank God.

So back to Adam, he believes we should always think like a SCIENTIST, in other words:

• Value humility over pride.

• Value curiosity over convictions.

• Ideas don't become your identity or your ideology

• Ideas are simply a bunch of hypothesis, we should run experiments, test them, figure them out.

I thought that was enlightening! It also helps us flirt with other people's ideas and share responsibility in the creative or problem-solving processes. Not to mention that the most recent generations are more used to critical thinking and collaborative work, so, my take is that thinking like a scientist will also help better communicate and engage with the new gens.

Grant goes on and talks about 'how to exercise humility', 'how to detach from old ideas', 'the joy in being wrong', 'the ego factor', and so many other interesting things. BTW, I'm not being paid to promote his book, hahaha, but if you have a chance, it's worth checking it out: Think Again, by Adam Grant.

If you have always thought and talked like a scientist, you're a genius! If not, like me in my late 40s, it's good food for thought and never late to change! :)