Learning to Think Like Someone Else (with David Marquet)

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4.7 • 4.3K Ratings

🗓️ 11 August 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

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Summary

Former submarine commander David Marquet joins EconTalk's Russ Roberts to explore how distancing--thinking like someone else, somewhere else, or sometime else--can unlock better choices in business and life. They talk about leadership without giving orders, how to empower teams, and what it means to see yourself as a coach rather than a boss. Along the way, they discuss Jeff Bezos's leap to start Amazon, Steve Jobs' unique vision, and how a simple mindset shift can transform a struggling crew--or your career. A conversation about thinking clearly under pressure, avoiding regret, and becoming the kind of leader who creates other leaders instead of followers.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Econ Talk, Conversations for the Curious, part of the Library of Economics and Liberty.
0:07.9	I'm your host, Russ Roberts, of Sholem College in Jerusalem and Stanford University's Hoover Institution.
0:13.8	Go to EconTalk.org, where you can subscribe, comment on this episode, and find links and other information related to today's conversation.
0:21.2	You'll also find our archives with every episode we've done going back to 2006.
0:26.7	Our email address is mail at econTalk.org. We'd love to hear from you.
0:36.6	Today is July 17th, 2025.
0:39.7	And before introducing today's guest, I want to mention that we will be doing an Econ Talk book club in two weeks, an episode on Ernest Hemingway's novel of the Spanish Civil War, for whom the bell tolls.
0:52.6	I encourage you to read the book before that episode airs.
0:55.7	I'll be talking with Hemingway scholar David Wyatt about the book,
1:00.7	Fascism versus Communism, Hemingway's passion for grace under pressure,
1:05.5	his literary reputation, many other things. So if you'd like to read the book in advance, please do so.
1:13.2	It'll air again in about two weeks.
1:15.6	Now, on to today's guest, author, consultant, and former submarine commander, David Marque.
1:22.0	His latest book co-authored with Michael Gillespie is distancing.
1:30.9	How Great Leaders Refrain to Make Better Decisions, David Ruffield. co-authored with Michael Gillespie is distancing, how great leaders reframe to make better decisions.
1:32.6	David, welcome to eCon Talk.
1:35.4	Yeah, thanks so much for having me on the show, Russ.
1:41.7	Now, near the beginning of the book, you tell an incredible story, which I will never forget.
1:44.0	I think it's both fascinating and useful. You tell the story of
1:45.4	Andy Grove and Gordmore in the early days of Intel. Gordmore was the founder of the company.
1:51.2	Andy Grove was his first hire. At one point, they faced a crucial decision, and how did what
1:56.3	you call distancing help them? Yeah, so we all know Intel.
	...

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