Judgment Is the Decisive Skill | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Obtaining leverage and developing good judgment are crucial in an age of infinite leverage, as demonstrated by successful individuals like Warren Buffett.

Key Insights

• 🥠 Leverage is a force multiplier for judgment and is crucial for creating great fortunes.
• 🔬 Warren Buffett's wealth is primarily attributed to his excellent judgment, which investors trust and are willing to invest in.
• ✋ CEOs who demonstrate superior judgment in steering large companies are rewarded with significantly higher pay.
• 🏃 Judgment is the exercise of wisdom, which comes from experience and accelerates through quick iterations.
• 🥺 Intellectual intelligence without real-world experience often leads to poor judgment.
• 😶‍🌫️ Emotions can cloud judgment and prevent individuals from seeing the truth of what is happening.
• 🤔 Studying philosophy and broad-based thinking can enhance judgment and decision-making abilities.

Transcript

we spoke about specific knowledge we talked about accountability we talked about leverage the last skill that navall talks about in his tweet storm is judgment where he says that leverage is a force multiplier for your judgment we are now living in an age of nearly infinite leverage and all the great fortunes are created through leverage so your fi... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How can leverage be obtained in one's career?

Leverage can be obtained through permission by taking risks and getting people to work for you, raising capital, or developing valuable skills like coding or effective communication.

Q: Why is judgment considered the most important skill in an age of infinite leverage?

In an age of infinite leverage, judgment is crucial because it determines the long-term effects and outcomes of decisions. It becomes the driving factor behind success and wealth creation.

Q: How does demonstrated judgment impact one's credibility and ability to obtain leverage?

Demonstrated judgment, paired with accountability and a clear track record, builds credibility and trust. People are more likely to invest infinite leverage in individuals who have proven their judgment and integrity.

Q: How does wisdom relate to judgment?

Wisdom is essentially applied judgment in the personal domain. It involves knowing the long-term consequences of actions and making the right decisions accordingly. Wisdom requires experience and the ability to predict outcomes.

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the importance of judgment in today's age of infinite leverage. He explains how leverage can be obtained through permission or by acquiring specific skills. Once leverage is obtained, judgment becomes critical as it determines the success and fortune a person can achieve. The speaker highlights the example of Warren Buffett, whose wealth is primarily a result of his exceptional judgment. He emphasizes that judgment is built through experience and intellect, and it requires a deep understanding of the long-term consequences of one's decisions. Emotions often cloud judgment, and the ability to make rational decisions is crucial in various domains such as investing and entrepreneurship.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can one obtain leverage in their career?

Leverage can be obtained through permission, which involves taking risks, getting people to work for you, or raising capital. Alternatively, one can obtain leverage permissionlessly by acquiring specific skills such as coding, communication, podcasting, broadcasting, video creation, or writing.

Q: What should a person do once they have leverage?

Once leverage is obtained, it is advisable to slow down and focus on judgment. The speaker compares this shift to steering a sailboat versus steering an ocean liner. With more at risk and a higher payload, the person's judgment becomes the most important skill. Warren Buffett is a prime example of someone who has masterful judgment, and this credibility attracts infinite leverage.

Q: How does judgment impact CEO pay?

CEOs who possess superior judgment earn their keep through their decision-making abilities. If their judgment is 10 or 20 percent better than their peers, society is willing to pay them hundreds of millions of dollars more because they are steering significant companies worth billions. The compounding results of good judgment significantly overshadow their CEO pay.

Q: How does one demonstrate judgment and build credibility?

Demonstrated judgment with high accountability and a clear track record is critical. Warren Buffett has built massive credibility by consistently making correct decisions in the public domain. Trust is crucial, and when someone has proven their judgment, people are willing to provide them with infinite leverage.

Q: How would you define judgment?

Judgment can be defined as knowing the long-term consequences of one's decisions and being able to predict their effects. The speaker also highlights that wisdom, which he defines as knowing the long-term consequences of one's actions, is closely related to judgment. Wisdom applied externally, such as in problem-solving, can be seen as judgment.

Q: How does intellect and experience contribute to judgment?

Both intellect and experience play crucial roles in developing judgment. The speaker criticizes intellectuals in the ivory tower who lack real-world experience and only rely on pure intellect. Without real-world experience, intellect alone can be detrimental. Experience is particularly essential in navigating complex problems, and fast iterations, supported by intellect, can accelerate the development of judgment.

Q: How do emotions affect judgment in various domains?

Emotions often cloud judgment and hinder the ability to see what is truly happening. The speaker mentions that the best investors and entrepreneurs tend to be among the least emotional. While entrepreneurs need to be passionate about their work, they must also maintain clear and unemotional perspectives to make rational decisions.

Q: How can one accelerate the development of judgment?

The speaker suggests that quick iterations and keeping emotions at bay can accelerate the development of judgment. This process involves taking numerous tries at solving problems and learning from each attempt. The best judgment is often found in individuals who approach decision-making with a rational and less emotional mindset.

Q: Why do top investors and value investors study various subjects?

Top investors, including figures like Jeremy Grantham and Warren Buffett, engage in broad-based judgment and thinking. They study not only investment books but also philosophy, history, and other subjects. The speaker explains that investment is a real-world activity with many variables, and having a well-rounded understanding enables better judgment and decision-making.

Q: How do emotions impact judgment on platforms like Twitter?

Emotions play a significant role in judgment, and the speaker points out that outrage on social media platforms like Twitter often indicates poor judgment. Individuals who frequently engage in political outrage or aggressive behavior do not possess the rational decision-making abilities required for significant responsibilities like running a company.

Takeaways

In an age of nearly infinite leverage, judgment emerges as the most crucial skillset for success. While obtaining leverage is vital, the focus should then shift to cultivating judgment. It is through demonstrated judgment that credibility is built, leading to the attraction of infinite leverage. Judgment relies on experience, intellect, and a clear understanding of the long-term consequences of decisions. Emotions often cloud judgment, making it essential to maintain a rational and unemotional mindset. Broad-based judgment, gained through studying various subjects, including philosophy, can enhance decision-making abilities. Outrage and emotional instability are indicators of poor judgment. Developing and honing judgment is critical for navigating complex problems and steering significant ships of fortune.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Obtaining leverage through permission or permissionless means, such as taking risks, raising capital, learning to code, or becoming a good communicator, is essential for creating fortunes and success.

• Once leverage is obtained, the focus shifts to developing good judgment, as it becomes the most important skill in an age of infinite leverage.

• Judgment, defined as knowing the long-term consequences of decisions, is built through experience, intellect, and accountability.