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.
| Author | Adam Grant |
|---|---|
| Published | 2013 |
| Category | Business & Money |
| Favorite quote | “Being a giver is not good for a 100-yard dash, but it's valuable in a marathon.” |
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.
anyone weighing whether Give and Take belongs on their business and money shelf
you want a different angle than Adam Grant's
Top 9 Lessons from Give and Take
- People operate as givers, takers, or matchers.
- Givers cluster at both the bottom and the top of success.
- Failed givers burn out by giving indiscriminately.
- Successful givers give strategically and protect themselves.
- Takers win short-term but erode trust over time.
- Generosity builds networks that pay off later.
- Helping others can multiply your own value, not diminish it.
- Otherish giving, caring for self and others, is the sustainable mode.
- Recognizing takers early protects your generosity.
Top 3 Quotes from Give and Take
"Being a giver is not good for a 100-yard dash, but it's valuable in a marathon."
Adam Grant, Give and Take
"The givers who excel are willing to ask for help when they need it. Successful givers are every bit as ambitious as takers and matchers. They simply have a different way of pursuing their goals."
Adam Grant, Give and Take
"Otherish givers may appear less altruistic than selfless givers, but their resilience against burnout enables them to contribute more."
Adam Grant, Give and Take
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.
Ready to read it?
Get Give and Take on Amazon
