Practice When Stakes Are Low

Shishir Mehrotra asks product candidates a simple question: scientists invented a teleportation device. You're the PM. What do you do? Candidates start asking questions. Then he says: the scientists hate talking. They'll only answer two questions. What two do you ask?

Sharp candidates quickly find the eigenquestions - the two questions that unlock all the others. Is it safe for humans? Is it expensive to buy or to run? From just those two, you can map out the entire strategy.

Here's the insight: eigenquestion thinking is a learnable skill. But you can't learn it under pressure. If every time you played basketball was in a real game, you'd never improve. You need practice.

So Shishir practices with made-up, low-stakes scenarios. And he notices: kids are naturally good at this. Give a kid the teleportation question and they'll quickly get to two great questions. Adults overthink.

This is how to teach kids hard skills - decision-making, emotional regulation, conflict resolution. Don't wait for the high-stakes moment. Create low-stakes practice. Role play. Silly scenarios. 'What would you do if...' games.

The skill they build in play transfers to the moments that actually matter.