Give and Take by Adam Grant book cover

Give and Take

by Adam Grant · 2013

Adam Grant's take on business, the honest verdict is below.

Worth reading? Adam Grant's evidence that givers can win big, if they're strategic. Genuinely insightful and well-researched; one of the better books in this category. Skip only if you want tactics over ideas.

AuthorAdam Grant
Published2013
CategoryBusiness & Money

ISBN: 9780143124986ISBN10: 0143124986ASIN: 0143124986

The Verdict

Adam Grant’s evidence that givers can win big, if they’re strategic. Genuinely insightful and well-researched; one of the better books in this category. Skip only if you want tactics over ideas.

Read it if

anyone weighing whether Give and Take belongs on their business and money shelf

Give and Take by Adam Grant: book review and summary

Top 9 Lessons from Give and Take

  1. People operate as givers, takers, or matchers.
  2. Givers cluster at both the bottom and the top of success.
  3. Failed givers burn out by giving indiscriminately.
  4. Successful givers give strategically and protect themselves.
  5. Takers win short-term but erode trust over time.
  6. Generosity builds networks that pay off later.
  7. Helping others can multiply your own value, not diminish it.
  8. Otherish giving, caring for self and others, is the sustainable mode.
  9. Recognizing takers early protects your generosity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Give and Take worth reading?

Yes; it's well-researched and reframes generosity as a smart long-term strategy.

What is the main idea of Give and Take?

Strategic givers outperform takers and matchers over time, as long as they give without letting themselves be exploited.

Who should read Give and Take?

Anyone building a career, network, or team who wants to succeed without being ruthless.