Image of podcast

Chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley on why mistakes are our greatest teachers

WorkLife with Adam Grant

Tue Dec 19 2023



Maurice Ashley's Childhood and Lessons Learned:

  • Maurice Ashley grew up in Jamaica in a competitive household with high-achieving siblings, learning the values of hard work, focus, and excellence from his grandmother.
  • His grandmother instilled in him the importance of focusing on what one wants in life and giving it their all, emphasizing determination as key to success.

Lessons from Chess and Life:

  • The pivotal moment when Maurice realized the depth of his grandmother's teachings was before an important chess game where he understood her emphasis on focus and determination.
  • Maurice's journey in chess began with losing games to friends, but his competitive nature and desire to improve motivated him to persevere through losses.
  • Maurice highlights that people often misunderstand the importance of memorization in accelerating progress in chess. He emphasizes understanding endgame strategies as crucial for navigating gameplay effectively.

Life Lessons from Chess Principles:

  • Respect for opponents is a core principle Maurice advocates, stressing the significance of studying every aspect of opponents' behavior under pressure to craft winning strategies.
  • He also underscores the value of sacrifice and risk-taking, highlighting that taking chances is essential for success in both chess and life.

Embracing Mistakes and Emotional Regulation:

  • Embracing mistakes is central to Maurice's approach, viewing them as invaluable teachers rather than something to be avoided or ashamed of.
  • Dealing with frustration and disappointment has been crucial for Maurice’s resilience, allowing him to bounce back from defeats by seeing them as opportunities for growth.

The Transformative Power of Chess for Children:

  • In his upcoming children's book "The Life-Changing Magic of Chess," Maurice aims to show parents that chess can transform young minds by teaching problem-solving skills, graceful winning/losing attitudes, and critical thinking approaches.

Insights into Intuition & Decision-Making:

  • Intuition plays a significant role in decision-making during fast-paced chess matches due to its stability as a game. This parallels how intuition functions effectively within stable environments like firefighting or playing blitz/bullet chess.

AI and Human Decision Making:

  • Chess fans prioritize perfect chess moves, while humans prioritize winning against other humans.
  • Humans are inclined towards competition and the emotional aspects of gameplay, whereas AI lacks this understanding.
  • AI is currently ineffective at coaching, providing banal suggestions when asked for advice.

Coaching and Individualized Learning:

  • Effective coaching involves scaffolding, providing initial instruction and gradually withdrawing support to foster independent learning.
  • Understanding each individual's unique needs is crucial in coaching and education; there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
  • Teaching what one wants to learn or coaching what one wants to refine can be an effective strategy for personal development.

Reimagining Education:

  • Abstract concepts in education often lack apparent real-world applications, leading to disinterest among students.
  • Drawing connections between academic knowledge and practical life experiences enhances learning outcomes.
  • Encouraging the application of learned concepts in real-life scenarios fosters deeper understanding and improved performance.