Author discusses the advantages of gaining new viewpoints

Organizational psychologist, professor and author Adam Grant, PhD., introduced AONL 2025 attendees to the power of "thinking like a scientist" during his virtual keynote address. "Every opinion you hold as a leader is a hypothesis waiting to be tested and every decision you make is an experiment," said Grant, who is author of the best seller, Think Again. Grant shared a personal failure: declining to invest in what became the billion-dollar eyewear company Warby Parker. When his student pitched the eyewear startup, Grant dismissed the idea that people would buy glasses online. This misjudgment, which he described as "making assumptions that were once true but had become false," led Grant to introduce his concept of a "challenge network." Unlike traditional support networks, a challenge network consists of people willing to deliver uncomfortable truths. Grant recommended leaders build similar networks, especially at senior levels where honest feedback becomes increasingly rare.

Grant suggested ways to encourage teams to speak up about problems that need rethinking. Rather than simply asking for feedback, he recommended leaders "criticize themselves out loud," demonstrating they can handle honest opinions. For example, Grant shares unflattering student evaluations with his classes. Grant also introduced the concept of "confident humility," explaining it as being "secure enough in your strengths to admit your weaknesses."