When we think of the best arguments
‘The term l’esprit de l’escalier (“staircase wit”) refers to opinions and
ideas that we express with clear, polished pithiness – and which always
occur to us too late. Afterwards, when we slowly descend the stairs, we are
suddenly much smarter than before.’ This is how William Lewis Hertslet
described the term in his bestseller Der Treppenwitz der Weltgeschichte
(Staircase Wit of World History), which was published in 1882.
Over 130 years later it is still as relevant as ever. We all know how it
feels when our brain starts to work only when the pressure of a stressful
situation subsides. Before a date or job interview, we know exactly how we
want to present ourselves, but when the small talk starts, we can’t think of
anything clever to say. Then, once the conversation is over and we have
closed the door behind us, we come up with razor-sharp arguments and
witty lines. In psychology, this phenomenon when your nerves fail under
pressure is called ‘choking’: you ‘choke’ on the expectations.
Many studies have dealt with this phenomenon, and have all come to the
same conclusion: paralysis by analysis. If you start thinking, you lose. If
you try to be quick-witted, you can’t think of anything to say. When you
go for that all-important penalty kick, your confidence plummets.
Psychologists recommend four tricks:
- Expose yourself repeatedly to the same situation (so-called ‘practice
under pressure’), whereby the situation loses its uniqueness.2.Wait five seconds before answering – your answer might not be any
cleverer, but it comes across as weightier.3.Not so easy: imagine that you’re not in an interview but sitting in the
pub with friends.4.Keep in mind that although being quick-witted can be impressive in an
interview, it is seldom required in most jobs.‘Nothing in life is as important as you think it is while you are thinking
about it.’
Daniel Kahneman