Key insights

• 🏫 Teaching math to seventh graders in NYC public schools, realization that IQ isn't the sole determinant of student performance, observation of high IQ students struggling and low IQ students excelling in math
• 🔍 Transition from teaching to psychology, conducting research on success at West Point Military Academy
• 💪 Grit emerged as a significant predictor of success in different contexts, defined as passion and perseverance for long-term goals
• 📊 Study in Chicago public schools revealing the positive correlation between grit and graduation rates, especially for at-risk students
• 🤔 Grit and talent not directly related, potential for growth mindset to build grit in kids, current lack of scientific knowledge about building grit
• 🧠 Teaching kids about the brain's ability to change and grow, crucial role of growth mindset in building grit, need for further efforts to foster grit in kids

Q&A

• How can the concept of growth mindset help kids, and what is needed to build grit in them?

  Teaching kids about the brain's ability to change and grow, known as a growth mindset, can help them persevere through failure. Building grit in kids requires testing ideas, measuring success, being willing to fail, and starting over with lessons learned.

• How is grit related to talent, and what can help build grit in kids?

  Grit and talent are not directly related. A growth mindset may help build grit in kids, although there is a current lack of scientific knowledge about building grit in individuals.

• Why is grit essential, and what did a study in Chicago public schools reveal about it?

  Grit is essential for long-term success, akin to running a marathon rather than a sprint. A study in Chicago public schools positively correlated grit with graduation rates, showing its crucial role in the success of at-risk students.

• What is grit, and how does it relate to success?

  Grit is defined as passion and perseverance for long-term goals, involving stamina and consistency. It emerged as a significant predictor of success in various contexts, such as teaching in tough neighborhoods and sales, surpassing social intelligence, good looks, physical health, and IQ.

• Why did the speaker leave teaching to become a psychologist?

  The speaker recognized the need for a better understanding of students from a motivational and psychological perspective. Success in school and life was found to go beyond IQ, leading the speaker to transition from teaching to psychology and conduct research on success, including at West Point Military Academy.

• What realization did the speaker have while teaching math to seventh graders?

  The speaker realized that IQ wasn't the sole factor determining student performance. Some high IQ students struggled while others with lower IQ excelled in math.

• 00:00 Teaching math to seventh graders made the speaker realize that IQ wasn't the only factor determining student performance. Some high IQ students struggled while others with lower IQ excelled.
• 01:07 Education needs a better understanding of students from a motivational and psychological perspective; success in school and life goes beyond IQ; the speaker left teaching to become a psychologist and conducted research on success at West Point Military Academy.
• 02:14 Grit, not social intelligence, good looks, physical health, or IQ, emerged as a significant predictor of success in various contexts, such as the National Spelling Bee, teaching in tough neighborhoods, and sales.
• 03:13 Grit is essential for long-term success, as demonstrated by a study in Chicago public schools. It positively correlates with graduation rates and is crucial for at-risk students.
• 04:12 🤔 Grit and talent are not directly related; growth mindset may help build grit in kids.
• 05:08 The concept of growth mindset can help kids persevere through failure. Building grit in kids requires testing, measuring success, being willing to fail, and starting over with lessons learned.