Have you ever caught yourself scrolling through social media or news sites, only to notice how quickly you skip over perspectives you disagree with?
I used to do that a lot. I’d stick to sources that confirmed what I already believed, thinking I was staying “informed.”
But it turns out, staying inside a self-imposed bubble does more harm than good.
That’s where Adam Grant’s 10% principle comes into play. He says, “Be ten percent more skeptical of people you agree with—and ten percent more charitable to people you disagree with.”
Spending just a fraction of your time doing this can boost your intelligence and expand your capacity to stay open-minded.
You don’t need to restructure your entire life to do it, either—sometimes dedicating a small slice of your day to challenge your comfortable assumptions can lead to huge gains in understanding.
Below, I’ll break down the essence of this principle and share how you can incorporate it into your daily routine.
It’s about embracing healthy curiosity, asking better questions, and daring to step outside your mental comfort zone.
Let’s dive in.
1. Embrace the idea of intellectual humility
I used to think of myself as an open-minded person—until I realized how rarely I intentionally exposed myself to different ideas.
It’s easy to say, “I’m open to new perspectives,” but do our daily habits back that up?
For me, it was a wake-up call when I noticed I’d spend hours reading articles that aligned with my existing opinions, meanwhile ignoring anything that might contradict them.
Adam Grant often points out that being willing to say “I might be wrong” is a powerful step toward learning something new.
Accepting that we don’t know everything can be equal parts liberating and uncomfortable.
It’s a gentle reminder that it’s fine to let go of our entrenched stance if the evidence points elsewhere.
When you view every conversation or article as a potential lesson—rather than an argument you need to win—you give yourself permission to learn.
And the best part?
You don’t need an advanced degree or decades of experience to do this.
All you need is a dose of humility each time you set out to understand a viewpoint you’ve never seriously considered before.
2. Identify what fits in your 10%
So, how do you decide which opposing ideas to spend time exploring?
In my own practice, I start by identifying areas where I feel a nagging sense of curiosity—or maybe even discomfort.
It could be a polarizing political issue, a business approach I’ve dismissed in the past, or a lifestyle choice that seems miles away from my own.
Adam Grant suggests dedicating around 10% of your reading, listening, and learning efforts to unfamiliar or opposing viewpoints.
That might mean if you typically read ten articles a week on leadership, you let one of them be from a completely different perspective.
Maybe you prefer a collaborative approach, so you seek out a piece that champions more competitive, hard-edged tactics.
The point is to pick something that goes against your usual preferences.
One tip: scan well-respected publications like Harvard Business Review or Forbes to see if they publish viewpoints you’re not used to.
You don’t have to agree with every word, but you might stumble on an idea that sparks a deeper reflection about what you believe—and why.
3. Reflect on your emotional reactions
Have you ever felt your pulse quicken when you read an opinion you strongly disagree with?
That’s normal.
Our bodies tend to gear up for a fight-or-flight response when we confront a belief that threatens our sense of identity.
Psychologists often point out how our opinions can be tied to our self-concept. “At its most basic, self-concept is a collection of beliefs one holds about oneself and the responses of others,” the team at Very Well Mind say.
That’s why when we hear an opinion that’s different from ours, our reaction could be quite strong.
When you commit to the 10% principle, it’s crucial to be mindful of these emotional reactions.
Instead of labeling them as “bad” or trying to ignore them, simply notice: “I’m feeling defensive right now” or “I’m genuinely annoyed by this viewpoint.”
This awareness helps you pause before you tune out or launch into mental counterattacks.
In my own journey, recognizing these feelings was a game-changer. It allowed me to switch from being defensive to getting curious.
I’d ask myself: “Why is this viewpoint triggering me?” or “Is there something here I can learn from?”
Over time, I realized my discomfort often signaled a growing opportunity—something new was pushing at my mental boundaries.
4. Engage in ‘intelligent rethinking’
“Intelligent rethinking” is the process of revisiting and revising your opinions when presented with new evidence.
That doesn’t mean we have to flip our beliefs every time we hear a compelling argument.
It just means staying flexible enough to adapt when the facts or logic prove convincing.
I’ve come to see this as giving my beliefs regular tune-ups.
Just like a car runs more smoothly after maintenance, our minds operate better when we clear out outdated assumptions.
If you always see the same ideas in your feed—say, specific marketing strategies or personal development tips—consider searching for an article that says the opposite.
Maybe you’re convinced that daily journaling is the only path to self-awareness.
Try reading an article that challenges that approach—perhaps it offers alternative daily habits that might be just as effective.
You might stick to your original routine, but now you’ve expanded your mental toolkit with new perspectives.
- Challenge your echo chambers
Let’s face it: technology makes it incredibly easy to build tight echo chambers where the only voices we hear reflect our own.
Your social media algorithms notice what you like and keep serving you the same type of content.
As a result, you might be missing out on a world of perspectives that could enrich your understanding.
In an interview with Inc., Grant explains why the echo chamber can keep us stagnant, specifically because they prevent us from seeing our own cognitive blind spots.
He says, “There are things we know we know, things we know we don’t know, and, crucially, things we don’t know we don’t know. This last category is the most dangerous for personal and intellectual growth because it consists of gaps in our knowledge and understanding that we are entirely unaware of.”
Breaking down these walls takes intentional effort.
If you’re on social platforms, you might follow people you usually don’t see eye to eye with.
If you’re used to one type of news channel, test out another for just 10% of your weekly news intake.
I had to do this with my own feed. I realized I was only following marketers and coaches with a certain style that matched my worldview.
So, I started following a few contrarian voices who approach branding from a more direct, sometimes almost abrasive angle.
While I don’t agree with them on everything, I’ve gained insights into strategies I’d never have considered otherwise—and that has, weirdly enough, helped me refine my own approach.
6. Seek out respectful debates
One of my favorite ways to grow smarter and more open-minded is to have real conversations with people who disagree with me—but do it in a respectful, curious manner.
Brené Brown often reminds us that true connection happens when we’re brave enough to be vulnerable, which includes admitting we don’t have all the answers.
Whether it’s a friend, colleague, or family member, find someone you trust to hold a calm but probing discussion.
It’s not a debate you need to “win” by any traditional standard. Instead, you’re both seeking to understand each other’s perspectives.
Set a few ground rules if you want. Agree to listen more than you speak. Ask clarifying questions rather than jumping in with your counterargument right away.
This approach can seriously expand your mental horizons.
And even if you walk away without changing your stance, you’ll probably gain empathy for where the other person’s viewpoint comes from.
That empathy alone can make you more well-rounded.
Wrapping up
Stepping outside your comfort zone for even a small portion of your time can do wonders for your understanding of the world.
Adam Grant’s 10% principle isn’t about flipping your beliefs overnight.
It’s about consistently exposing yourself to new or challenging ideas to keep your mind flexible.
From reflecting on your emotional reactions to carefully curating a portion of your reading list, each small step makes a difference.
Most of us want to grow, learn, and connect on a deeper level.
And this is a simple, practical way to get there.
Try it for a week—swap out 10% of your usual content diet for something that stretches you.
You might not become an expert on every opposing viewpoint, but you’ll likely emerge smarter, more resilient, and open-hearted.
It’s a practice I’ve come to value in my own life, and I hope it brings the same kind of wisdom and growth to yours.
