Doctor Quote by Adam M. Grant
““The surgeons couldn’t take their performance with them. They weren’t getting better at performing coronary artery bypass grafts. They were becoming more familiar with particular nurses and anesthesiologists, learning about their strengths and weaknesses, habits, and styles. This familiarity helped them avoid patient deaths, but it didn’t carry over to other hospitals.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “Think Again” (2021) excerpt
Reliance on familiarity can limit skill transfer across settings
In simple terms: Knowing people helps locally but hinders broader competence
Key Takeaway
Seek diverse experiences, avoid over‑reliance on familiarity
Themes
learning
expertise
adaptability
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- hospital rotations
- cross‑industry projects
- team onboarding
- training programs
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
skill transfer
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you test your assumptions in new environments?
- What systems ensure knowledge transfer?
A Different Perspective
Familiarity can create blind spots, reducing innovation
