Presentation Analysis

Summary

In this insightful talk, the speaker shares their journey from teaching seventh-grade math in New York City to researching the role of grit in success. They highlight that IQ alone does not determine success, and grit—passion and perseverance for long-term goals—is a more significant predictor. Through various studies, including at West Point and in schools, the speaker demonstrates that grit, not talent, often leads to success. The talk emphasizes the importance of building grit in students, discussing the concept of growth mindset, and calling for more research to better understand and foster grit in education.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker left a demanding management consulting job to teach seventh-grade math in New York City public schools, highlighting the importance of teaching in shaping students' futures.
• 😀 IQ alone does not determine academic success. Some students with lower IQs performed better than those with higher IQs, which led the speaker to consider other factors influencing success.
• 😀 The key to success in seventh-grade math, and education in general, is not just intelligence but effort, motivation, and perseverance.
• 😀 The speaker conducted research at places like West Point and the National Spelling Bee to study predictors of success in various fields, finding that one key characteristic stood out: grit.
• 😀 Grit is defined as passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It's about staying committed and working hard for the future over an extended period of time, akin to running a marathon.
• 😀 Grit is a better predictor of success than other factors like IQ, physical health, and social intelligence.
• 😀 In a study conducted at Chicago Public Schools, students with higher levels of grit were more likely to graduate, even when other factors such as family income and test scores were accounted for.
• 😀 The most surprising finding about grit is that science still has a lot to learn about how to build it, despite its proven importance.
• 😀 While grit is crucial, talent alone does not guarantee success. Many talented individuals fail to follow through on commitments, suggesting grit matters more than talent.
• 😀 Growth mindset, a concept developed by Carol Dweck, suggests that the ability to learn is not fixed and can improve with effort. This belief helps build resilience and perseverance when facing failure.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the need for continued research and testing of ideas around building grit, encouraging an experimental mindset to help students develop perseverance for the long term.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial career before transitioning into teaching?

The speaker initially worked in management consulting before deciding to leave that job for a more demanding role as a teacher.

What did the speaker notice about the relationship between IQ and student performance?

The speaker noticed that IQ was not the only determining factor for student performance. Some students with lower IQs performed well, while others with higher IQs struggled.

What is the speaker's belief regarding what students need to succeed in seventh-grade math?

The speaker believed that the material in seventh-grade math was not inherently impossible and that all students could learn it if they worked hard enough.

What prompted the speaker to leave teaching and pursue a career in psychology?

After years of teaching, the speaker concluded that a better understanding of motivation and psychology was essential to improving education, which led them to graduate school to become a psychologist.

What kinds of settings did the speaker study to understand success?

The speaker studied a variety of challenging settings, including West Point Military Academy, the National Spelling Bee, rookie teachers in tough neighborhoods, and salespeople in private companies.

What was the common characteristic that predicted success across different contexts studied by the speaker?

The common characteristic that predicted success across these diverse settings was grit, which is defined as passion and perseverance for long-term goals.

How does the speaker define 'grit'?

Grit is defined as passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. It involves having stamina and sticking to a future goal, not just for a short period but for years.

What did the speaker's research in the Chicago Public Schools reveal about grit?

The research showed that students who exhibited higher levels of grit were more likely to graduate high school, even when matched on other factors such as family income and test scores.

What is the biggest challenge in building grit in children, according to the speaker?

The biggest challenge is that science doesn't yet have a clear understanding of how to build grit, despite the increasing interest in fostering it in children.

How does talent relate to grit, based on the speaker's findings?

According to the speaker, talent does not necessarily correlate with grit. In fact, grit is often unrelated or even inversely related to measures of talent. Many talented individuals do not follow through on their commitments.

What idea does the speaker highlight as a potential way to build grit in children?

The speaker highlights 'growth mindset,' an idea developed at Stanford University, which suggests that the ability to learn can change with effort. Students who understand that their brain can grow in response to challenges are more likely to persevere after failure.