Hard work trumps talent when it comes to success, says UPenn psychologist: ‘Effort counts twice’
There’s no denying that they’re talented people, but Angela Duckworth, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, has spent years studying success factors and says talent isn’t the only factor.
“I think effort counts twice. Of course talent counts, but I think effort counts twice,” Angela Duckworth said on The Mel Robbins podcast. “To me, skills are pretty barren unless you apply them.”
Duckworth is a prominent American psychologist, academic, and author, best known for her research on grit: the concept of passion and perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals. She is the Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor of Psychology at UPenn, and co-founded Character Lab, a nonprofit focused on science-based advice for parents and teachers.
Prior to her academic career, she was a management consultant at McKinsey & Co. and also taught math and science in public schools in New York, San Francisco, and Philadelphia. In 2013, she was awarded a MacArthur Genius Grant, a scholarship offering $800,000 to recipients who demonstrate “exceptional creativity” and “promise significant future advances” for her contributions to understanding personality traits linked to success.
“Often, I think we look at others, [and say] “yes, they are extremely talented,” whether in sports, art, music, or business, and we shrug and say, “Oh, well, they were born with this gift.”
How Duckworth defines talent
Talent is usually defined as a natural aptitude or skill, but Duckworth defines it differently.
“Talent is how quickly you get better at something,” she said. “When you try [and] you are a really talented person, you improve a lot with each hour of practice.
On the other hand, if you’re a less talented person, you only improve “a little bit” with each hour of practice, she added, giving the example of being good at psychology herself, but very “untalented” in subjects like history, politics and current affairs.
“There is no shame or fear in recognizing that we may be more talented at some things than others,” Duckworth said.
What others say about the relationship between talent and success
Tim Tebow, one of the most famous college athletes in University of Florida history, is also a believer in hard work over talent.
“Hard work can beat talent when talent doesn’t work as hard,” said the Heisman Trophy winner and former Denver Broncos quarterback. “I held on [that sentiment] because that’s something that motivated me: knowing that when I show up on a field, on a field, on a field, in a classroom, I won’t always be the most talented.
“Most of the time, that’s not the case,” he continued. “But if you give me enough time and enough opportunity, then hard work can beat talent when talent doesn’t work as hard.” Tebow also pursued a career in minor league baseball and worked as a television broadcaster for SEC Network and ESPN, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most accomplished footballers in history, also shares this sentiment.
“Talent without work is nothing,” said Ronaldo, who has won several individual and team awards for his success, including five Ballon d’Or trophies as the world’s best player.
Outside of sports, prolific author Stephen King, famous for novels like The shine, that, And Carriesaid that talent is worthless without hard work.
“Talent costs less than table salt,” he said. “What separates a talented person from a successful person is a lot of hard work. »
