TEDxBlue - Angela Lee Duckworth, Ph.D - 10/18/09

Summary

The speaker, a psychologist, challenges the traditional focus on intelligence as the primary determinant of achievement. Instead, she advocates for the importance of 'grit'—a combination of passion and perseverance—citing the '10-year rule' that indicates a minimum of a decade of consistent, deliberate practice is necessary to reach world-class performance. Through various studies, she demonstrates that grit, not just talent, is a key predictor of success in diverse fields, including education, military training, and the National Spelling Bee. The talk encourages identifying and nurturing grit in young people to foster high achievement.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The script challenges the traditional view that intelligence is the primary determinant of achievement, suggesting that it may only be a small part of the story.
• 🔄 The speaker's personal journey from age 22 to 32 illustrates a life of diverse experiences but lacking in grit, which is a key ingredient for high achievement.
• 🚢 The metaphor of a fast, shiny boat that tacks in different directions highlights the importance of consistent, deliberate practice towards a single goal rather than scattered efforts.
• 🔟 The '10-year rule' is introduced, stating that no world-class performer has achieved expertise in less than a decade of consistent, deliberate practice.
• 🎓 The speaker's graduate school experience at 32, surrounded by younger peers, serves as a personal anecdote to emphasize the importance of grit over age or talent.
• 🏆 Grit is defined as a combination of passion and perseverance, the ability to sustain long-term interest and effort towards a goal.
• 🌟 Historical figures like Charles Darwin and modern studies suggest that hard work and passion may be more important than innate talent in achieving genius.
• 📊 Studies, such as the one at West Point, show that grit is a better predictor of success in challenging environments than traditional measures of talent or intelligence.
• 📚 The importance of deliberate practice is underscored, with the National Spelling Bee example illustrating that grittier kids put in targeted, focused effort on their weaknesses.
• 🎬 Success in fields like acting often requires persistence through initial failures, suggesting that the ability to persevere despite setbacks is crucial for long-term achievement.
• 👶 The script concludes with a call to understand and cultivate grit in young people, emphasizing the role of education in developing this quality for future success.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's study in achievement?

The speaker focuses on the study of 'grit' and other factors contributing to achievement, rather than just intelligence, which is traditionally the focus of many psychologists.

Why does the speaker believe that intelligence may be a small part of the story in achievement?

The speaker suggests that intelligence might be a small part of the story because it is often considered largely inherited and immutable, whereas achievement may involve other developable qualities.

What does the speaker consider as a key ingredient of high achievement?

The speaker considers 'grit' as one of the key and probably necessary ingredients of high achievement in any field.

What is the '10-year rule' mentioned by the speaker?

The '10-year rule' refers to the finding that no world-class performers in any studied domain have achieved their level of expertise with less than 10 years of consistent, deliberate practice.

How does the speaker's personal experience relate to the concept of grit?

The speaker's personal experience of changing careers and not having a singular focus until later in life led her to study grit, as she recognized her own lack of it during those years.

What is the significance of the term 'grit' in the context of the speaker's research?

In the context of the speaker's research, 'grit' refers to a combination of passion and perseverance, particularly the ability to sustain passion for a long time, which is crucial for high achievement.

How did the speaker's research at West Point Military Academy demonstrate the importance of grit?

The research at West Point showed that grit was a better predictor of cadets' survival through the challenging 'Beast Barracks' than traditional measures of talent or intelligence.

What did the speaker find about the relationship between talent and grit in her studies?

The speaker found that grittier individuals often had less talent, suggesting that it is not necessarily talent that leads to high achievement, but rather the ability to persevere and work hard.

How does the speaker define 'deliberate practice'?

Deliberate practice is defined as focused and intense work on specific areas of weakness or skill improvement, rather than simply practicing what one is already good at.

What is the significance of the graph showing the rise of skill over time in the speaker's argument?

The graph illustrates that it takes a consistent and sustained period of deliberate practice over many years to reach the level of world-class performance, supporting the argument that grit is essential for high achievement.

What is the speaker's final suggestion for educators and those interested in children's development?

The speaker suggests that educators should identify and cultivate the quality of grit in children, as it is a key factor in achieving long-term goals and success.