This Is Working with Daniel Roth This Is Quick: Why Lazard's CEO wants to know your biggest failure
Jan 22, 2026
Peter Orszag, CEO of Lazard and a former public official, shares invaluable insights from his illustrious career. He discusses the importance of asking candidates about their biggest failures to gauge resilience. Orszag emphasizes the value of one-on-one meetings, holding several each week to foster connection. He also advises when to leave a job, highlighting the need to exit when enthusiasm wanes. Plus, he reflects on his brief stint at McKinsey, showcasing the significance of finding the right fit in one's career.
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Vernon Jordan's Guiding Phrase
- Vernon Jordan's phrase 'tend to your garden' became Peter Orszag's guiding career advice.
- He uses it to remind himself to focus on his responsibilities rather than chasing trends.
Tend To Your Garden
- Tend to your garden: focus on your work instead of chasing trends or where the ball seems headed.
- Concentrate on performance and your responsibilities; success often comes to those who stay focused.
Ask About Biggest Failure
- Ask candidates about their biggest failure and what they learned to assess resilience and growth.
- Use failure-focused questions to gauge adaptability and long-term potential in hires.
