The Secret To Finding Great Talent - Tyler Cowen

Tyler Cowen is the Holbert L. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University, a columnist, podcaster, blogger and an author. Finding and recruiting the best talent is perhaps the most important job that an organisation has. Skilful, enthusiastic, keen staff can make or break a business, so why is it that most companies are mostly useless when it comes to discovering talent? Expect to learn whether population collapse is coming very soon, whether talent is innate or developed, why there is a crisis of talent when we have more people on earth than ever before, whether you should look at someone's parents before hiring them, the best questions to ask in an interview, what SpaceX's hiring strategy teaches us about thoroughness, how Tyler screens young staff for the most original thinkers and much more... Sponsors: Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ Get 15% discount on Upgraded Formulas Test Kit at https://upgradedformulas.com/ (use code: MW15) Get 83% discount & 3 months free from Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/MODERNWISDOM (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 20% discount on the highest quality CBD Products from Pure Sport at https://bit.ly/cbdwisdom (use code: MW20) Extra Stuff: Buy Talent - https://amzn.to/3t5cs5Z Follow Tyler on Twitter - https://twitter.com/tylercowen Check out Tyler's website - https://marginalrevolution.com/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom #tylercowen #talent #business - 00:00 Intro 00:26 Is Population Collapse a Problem? 04:26 Why the Recruitment Process is Wrong 08:32 Defining and Finding Talent 15:13 Measuring Ambition 23:37 Is Talent Genetic? 27:39 Improving the Education System 31:55 Influence of Parents & Attributes 38:49 Thinking Like an Athlete 47:08 How to Source Talent 57:22 When Are Charisma & Confidence Important? 1:01:31 Where to Find Tyler - Join the Modern Wisdom Community on Locals - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Listen to all episodes on audio: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

Tyler CowenguestChris Williamsonhost

Jun 4, 20221h 2mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: June 4, 2022
Duration: 1h 2m
Channel: Modern Wisdom
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Tyler Cowen is the Holbert L. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University, a columnist, podcaster, blogger and an author. Finding and recruiting the best talent is perhaps the most important job that an organisation has. Skilful, enthusiastic, keen staff can make or break a business, so why is it that most companies are mostly useless when it comes to discovering talent? Expect to learn whether population collapse is coming very soon, whether talent is innate or developed, why there is a crisis of talent when we have more people on earth than ever before, whether you should look at someone's parents before hiring them, the best questions to ask in an interview, what SpaceX's hiring strategy teaches us about thoroughness, how Tyler screens young staff for the most original thinkers and much more... Sponsors: Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ Get 15% discount on Upgraded Formulas Test Kit at https://upgradedformulas.com/ (use code: MW15) Get 83% discount & 3 months free from Surfshark VPN at https://surfshark.deals/MODERNWISDOM (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 20% discount on the highest quality CBD Products from Pure Sport at https://bit.ly/cbdwisdom (use code: MW20) Extra Stuff: Buy Talent - https://amzn.to/3t5cs5Z Follow Tyler on Twitter - https://twitter.com/tylercowen Check out Tyler's website - https://marginalrevolution.com/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom #tylercowen #talent #business - 00:00 Intro 00:26 Is Population Collapse a Problem? 04:26 Why the Recruitment Process is Wrong 08:32 Defining and Finding Talent 15:13 Measuring Ambition 23:37 Is Talent Genetic? 27:39 Improving the Education System 31:55 Influence of Parents & Attributes 38:49 Thinking Like an Athlete 47:08 How to Source Talent 57:22 When Are Charisma & Confidence Important? 1:01:31 Where to Find Tyler - Join the Modern Wisdom Community on Locals - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Listen to all episodes on audio: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

SPEAKERS

Tyler Cowen
guest
Chris Williamson
host

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Modern Wisdom, featuring Tyler Cowen and Chris Williamson, The Secret To Finding Great Talent - Tyler Cowen explores tyler Cowen Reveals How We’re Wasting a World Full of Talent Tyler Cowen argues that humanity has more talent than ever, but current systems of education, hiring, and credentialism systematically misallocate it. He critiques bureaucratic HR processes, homework-heavy schooling, and elite admissions that select for conformity over creativity, energy, and genuine ambition. Cowen outlines how to spot and attract high-impact, creative people using unconventional interviews, better sourcing, and movement-building ‘bat signals.’ The conversation also touches on fertility trends, cultural differences in ambition, experimental education, and why charisma, obsessiveness, and values matter so much in building effective organizations.

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