A Study in Coaching: The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova
Earlier this year, The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova was released to positive reviews – Kirkus, Washington Post. Ms. Konnikova has also appeared on several podcasts, including The Knowledge Project hosted by Shane Parrish. The book focuses on her journey to becoming a professional poker player. This journey takes place at the intersection of economic game theory and the psychology of decision making. After finishing the book, I found it to be an excellent case study in coaching. There are several elements of coaching the are easy to see. Ms. Konnikova’s adoption of these techniques was part of the reason for her incredibly rapid rise from novice to a world-class poker player.
Goals
From the beginning, the goal was specific. Just as important, Ms. Konnikova understood her strengths and built a plan to leverage those skills. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and did many studies on decision making under stress. She studied under Walter Mischel, famous for the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment, a classic study on delayed gratification. Her goals were SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results Focused, Time Bound). No matter the situation, Ms. Konnikova never lost sight of the goals, even as she amended and adjusted based on new information and experience.
“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s few.”
Independent Observation
The concept of seeing yourself as others see you is critical to coaching. Before people can change and grow, they must understand how others perceive them. People judge you based on their perceptions. An entire chapter of The Biggest Bluff focuses on this topic. At the poker table, you have several opponents; each of them will see you in their unique way. You need to understand each point of view. To accomplish using the poker framework, put yourself in the role of the TV commentators. They are watching all of the players and trying to predict their thinking. They base their comments on an understanding of the game and knowing the player profiles and tendencies. They have the advantage of knowing everyone’s hole cards, but they think from each player’s perspective.
“If you’re playing a poker game and you look around the table and can’t tell who the sucker is, it’s you.”
Reflection
Success depends on the ability to balance facts, faith, and feelings.
Facts – “You will never have all the information you want, and you will have to act all the same.” (1) Unlike poker, life does not follow the rules. Things can happen that will make all of your calculations useless.
Faith – This is not a reference to religious faith; it refers to trust in the future and confidence that if you are on the right path, you will make progress. In poker, this is variance. Over time the cards dealt will balance out for everyone in the game. Sometimes the cards are better than others. It may seem that you go on streaks where they are always good (or bad). You have to know that the cards will balance out in the end. Understanding variance enables you to see setbacks as isolated events rather than irreversible karma.
Feelings – A challenge we all face is allowing our feelings to control our actions. The stronger the emotion, the more likely we will react rather than plan the next step. Once an emotional response is triggered, it is tough to control. Understanding the root that allows the triggers an effect is difficult and often a long process. For Ms. Konnikova, the root cause was an event early in her childhood.
“Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you is determinism; the way you play it is free will.”
“Less certainty, more inquiry.”
This phrase is referenced multiple times throughout the book It is essential to be willing to admit you may be wrong. You must embrace uncertainty because it is present in every decision. Adopting this mindset empowers you. It allows you to listen, adapt, and grow. This is perhaps the most important concept the book has to offer.
“Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.”
(1) Konnikova, Maria. The Biggest Bluff (p. 45). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
