In this episode of "No Stupid Questions," Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth delve into the concepts of maximizing and satisfying, exploring how these decision-making strategies impact various aspects of life, from career choices to meal selection. Duckworth readily admits to being a maximizer, striving for continuous improvement and optimization in her work and other areas she values. She defines maximizers as individuals driven to achieve the best possible outcome, often comparing their current performance to their previous self. Dubner playfully questions whether this inclination makes her a "pain in the ass," acknowledging the potential challenges that come with consistently seeking the optimal choice.
Duckworth explains that maximizing aligns with the traditional economic view of rational actors aiming for the best possible outcomes. In contrast, satisfying, a term coined by Nobel laureate Herb Simon, involves choosing options that are "good enough" rather than striving for the absolute best. While Duckworth acknowledges the value of satisfying in certain contexts, such as choosing a quick lunch, she expresses a strong preference for maximizing in domains she deems important.
Dubner, while acknowledging his inclination towards maximizing in professional endeavors, expresses a deliberate effort to incorporate satisfying in other aspects of his life. He highlights the opportunity cost associated with maximizing, particularly in situations where the time and effort required to find the "best" option outweigh the potential benefits. He uses the example of choosing a meal, arguing that settling for a "good enough" option, like a simple street cart meal, can be more efficient and less stressful than meticulously researching and selecting the "best" restaurant.
The conversation touches upon the work of psychologist Barry Schwartz, who developed a scale to measure individuals' tendencies toward maximizing and satisfying. Schwartz's research suggests that satisfiers tend to be happier than maximizers, potentially due to lower expectations and greater contentment with "good enough" outcomes. Duckworth acknowledges this finding but maintains her preference for maximizing, viewing it as a driver for excellence and continuous growth.
Dubner reveals that he is a satisfier when it comes to physical exercise, prioritizing simply "ticking the box" rather than striving for athletic improvement. He argues that assigning less importance to certain activities allows him to conserve energy and focus on maximizing in areas he values more.
The discussion extends to the challenges of navigating an environment with excessive choices. Schwartz's "paradox of choice" highlights the potential for increased options to lead to decreased satisfaction. Duckworth and Dubner explore the idea that as people age, they tend to become more satisficing, not necessarily settling for less, but rather choosing to care less about things that matter less. They also discuss the concept of "unchaining" oneself, freeing up mental energy by prioritizing key areas for maximizing and adopting a more relaxed approach in others.
The conversation shifts to job interviews. Duckworth and Dubner critique common interview questions like "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" as ineffective in eliciting valuable information. Dubner favors questions that assess logic, numeracy, and critical thinking skills, using the example of a question involving base rates and likelihood. Duckworth shares her experience with McKinsey Consulting interviews, which involved solving logic problems and estimating quantities.
They then contrast this with the unstructured interview common in America, which is based on having a conversation. They both agree, and cite social science, that this method doesn't add much value, and can sometimes detract value.
Dubner also values work samples, where candidates are asked to perform tasks related to the job. Duckworth shares a similar sentiment, illustrating how one employer asked her for a work sample, which she thought was very effective. Dubner recounts his own experience with an extensive work sample during his interview process for an editor position at The New York Times.
In closing, Duckworth advocates for embracing maximizing, even if temporarily, to experience its potential exhilaration. Dubner ends the conversation by sharing a hypothetical interview question for himself: "Tell me the question that I should ask you that's going to make me hire you." This meta-question encourages candidates to demonstrate their unique strengths and explain why they are the best fit for the role, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and persuasive communication in the interview process.