Match energy in a conversation
NASA needs astronauts to not kill each other when they are in space for months at a time.
All astronauts in the final rounds of interviews know how to fake into emotional intelligence really well.
To find people who aren’t faking it, he created an awkward but funny moment in interviews — spilling papers and wearing a loud tie. He’d laugh at himself and watch whether the applicant laughed back politely, or matched his energy and his intensity of laughter, revealing their ability to connect naturally.
Tip
If they are energetic and positive, respond with laughter and high energy.
If they are low energy, respond calmly and empathic.