Annie Duke, former pro poker player and author of 'Thinking in Bets,' discusses the role of luck in decision-making, the misconception of betting involving only money, the tendency to avoid uncertainty, the complexity of decision-making under uncertainty, thinking in bets to overcome fear, and the cognitive impact of outcomes on decision-making.
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Quick takeaways
Thinking in bets means embracing uncertainty and acknowledging that decisions are based on beliefs about possible futures, helping us make better choices and become more resilient in the face of uncertainty.
Avoiding outcome bias is crucial in decision-making, as it allows us to separate decision quality from outcomes and overcome defensive decision-making tendencies.
Expressing uncertainty in decision-making can actually increase confidence by demonstrating careful consideration of probabilities and potential outcomes, fostering open-mindedness and willingness to update beliefs based on new information.
Deep dives
Thinking in Bets: Embracing Uncertainty
Thinking in bets means embracing uncertainty and acknowledging that decisions are like bets based on our beliefs about possible futures. The outcomes of these bets are not guaranteed, and we must invest our limited resources wisely with the hope of positive returns. Many people resist the idea of thinking in bets, associating it with gambling or financial risks. However, Annie Duke argues that it is a vital skill that can be applied to decision-making in various areas of life. By incorporating uncertainty into our decisions and focusing on thoughtful analysis rather than the outcomes, we can make better choices and become more resilient in the face of uncertainty.
The Problem with Resulting and Bias
One of the major challenges in decision-making is the tendency to judge the quality of decisions based on outcomes. This phenomenon, called resulting, leads to biased evaluations. People often take credit for good outcomes and blame themselves or others for bad outcomes, even when luck plays a significant role. Resulting can lead to defensive decision-making, where individuals avoid taking risks to prevent negative outcomes. It also hampers the ability to learn from experiences and extract valuable lessons. By recognizing the influence of resulting and bias, individuals can strive for a more balanced and objective approach to decision-making.
Balancing Confidence and Uncertainty
Confidence is often conflated with certainty in decision-making discussions. However, expressing certainty does not necessarily indicate thoughtfulness or accuracy. Communicating uncertainty can actually increase confidence in decision-making by demonstrating careful consideration of probabilities and potential outcomes. Being willing to engage in thoughtful analysis, expressing a range of possible scenarios, and assigning probabilistic values to decisions can foster confidence in the decision-making process. It also encourages open-mindedness and willingness to update beliefs based on new information, rather than clinging to rigid certainties.
Overcoming Outcome Bias and Defensive Decision-Making
Avoiding outcome bias is crucial in decision-making. Individuals often attribute decision success or failure solely to outcomes, overlooking the role of luck and hidden information. This bias leads to defensive decision-making, where people focus on avoiding blame rather than seeking optimal outcomes. By embracing the concept of thinking in bets and considering a range of possible futures, individuals can separate decision quality from the outcomes. This helps in overcoming defensive decision-making tendencies and allows for a more rational and thoughtful approach, reducing stress and fostering a growth mindset.
Thinking in Bets for Calmer and More Effective Decision-Making
Thinking in bets offers numerous benefits for decision-making. It promotes calmer and more effective decision-making by reducing self-blame and blame towards others. It encourages the acknowledgment of uncertainties and the evaluation of decision quality separate from outcomes. By understanding the limitations of resulting, individuals become more open to learning and adapting their decision-making strategies. Embracing uncertainty and thinking in terms of probabilities allows for better planning and preparedness for a range of potential futures. Through a mindset shift towards thinking in bets, individuals can navigate the complexities of decision-making with greater resilience, confidence, and clarity.
This episode features Annie Duke, former pro poker player and author of the book Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts. Julia and Annie debate why people tend to ignore the role of luck in their decisions, whether expressing uncertainty makes you seem weak, and how people end up engaging in "defensive decision-making," where they're not trying to make the best call so much as simply avoid being blamed for bad outcomes.
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