5 qualities which make you fail at school but succeed in life - Faysal Hafidi - TEDxCasablanca

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker challenges the traditional education system, emphasizing that being 'top of the class' doesn't guarantee success in life. Highlighting qualities like passion, curiosity, goal-orientation, creativity, and sociability, the speaker argues that these traits, often undervalued or punished in school, are essential for real-world success. Drawing on examples like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, who were not top students, the speaker inspires individuals to embrace their unique strengths, urging them to see their academic struggles as an advantage in the 'school of life.'

Takeaways

• 😀 Success in life is not necessarily linked to being top of the class in school.
• 😀 Many successful people, such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, were not top students and even dropped out of school.
• 😀 The traditional education system often punishes qualities like passion, curiosity, creativity, and sociability, which are essential for success in life.
• 😀 Passion for a subject can hinder academic success due to the rigid structure of subject weightings in schools.
• 😀 Curiosity and the desire to explore beyond the syllabus are often penalized in the education system, even though these qualities are vital for real-world success.
• 😀 Being goal-oriented and focused on personal objectives is often misunderstood as a lack of commitment in schools.
• 😀 Creativity is stifled in schools, even though it’s crucial for success in the workplace and life.
• 😀 Sociability is often discouraged in school, as it is associated with negative behaviors like cheating, even though collaboration is essential in professional environments.
• 😀 Success is often portrayed as the achievement of 'top of the class' students, but these individuals may struggle with team dynamics and interpersonal relationships in the workplace.
• 😀 The education system rewards compliance and marks but does not nurture the skills necessary for real-world success, such as creativity, passion, and social intelligence.

Q & A

What is the main argument of the speaker regarding success and education?

The speaker argues that success in life does not necessarily correlate with academic success. Many successful people, such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, were not top of their class, and the qualities that lead to success in life are often not nurtured in the education system.

What qualities do successful people share, according to the speaker?

The speaker identifies five key qualities shared by successful people: passion, curiosity, goal-orientation, creativity, and sociability.

How does passion affect a student's performance in school?

Passion drives students to focus on subjects they love, but in the school system, this can be seen as a weakness. Students may excel in their favorite subjects but perform poorly in others, which prevents them from being top of their class.

Why does curiosity often lead to lower grades in school?

Curiosity drives students to explore beyond the curriculum and develop their own ideas, but this can be punished in school when it leads to off-topic work or ideas that teachers don't understand. This results in lower grades, even if the student shows deeper understanding.

How does the school system reward or punish goal-orientation?

The school system tends to reward students for performing well in exams and following the prescribed academic path. Students with clear career goals who may not focus on achieving top grades in every subject are often seen as uncommitted or lacking effort.

What role does creativity play in education, and how is it suppressed?

Creativity is a critical skill, but the education system tends to stifle it by forcing students to think and work in rigid, prescribed ways. Creative thinking is discouraged, and students are often penalized for offering unconventional solutions or answers.

How is sociability viewed in the education system?

Sociability is often seen as a distraction in school. Students who are sociable may be labeled as disruptive or uncommitted. The speaker contrasts this with the real-world need for social intelligence, teamwork, and collaboration, which are valued in the workplace.

Why are the top students in school sometimes at a disadvantage later in life?

Top students are often highly skilled at working alone and excelling in every subject, which leads to success in the academic system. However, they may struggle later in life where passion, creativity, teamwork, and adaptability are more important for success.

What does the speaker mean by 'the school of life'?

'The school of life' refers to real-world experiences and challenges that are outside of formal education. The speaker suggests that those who may not have succeeded academically are often better equipped for success in life due to their inherent qualities like passion, creativity, and sociability.

How does the speaker suggest we should view our past academic struggles?

The speaker encourages us to view past academic struggles as an indication of potential for success in real life. If we weren't top of the class, it's not a failure but a sign that we may be better suited for the practical, passion-driven challenges of life outside of school.