Is the 'never meet your heroes' warning justified?

Nick Huber · Aug 21, 2023

Meeting your idols will let you down, and that is actually inspiring because it shows you don't have to be perfect or spectacular to do amazing things

Even the wealthiest people at the top are broken in some areas of life, which makes his own brokenness feel less disqualifying

50:16 Heroes disappointing in person is inspiring since imperfection doesnt preclude greatness

Ryan Petersen · Jun 20, 2026

Meeting your heroes is only worth it if they see you as a peer and will actually engage in dialogue

If they're unhappy to be at dinner, don't care about you and ask you no questions, there's nothing to gain

64:10 Worth it only if they engage you as a peer

Harry Stebbings · Jun 20, 2026

The 'never meet your heroes' maxim is wrong — the more accomplished the person, the more curious and interested they tend to be

He met Charlie Munger and a founding-father figure of a top firm, and both were extremely curious

64:14 The most accomplished are the most curious so meet them

Ryan Petersen · Jun 20, 2026 · hedged

Curiosity is largely uncorrelated with being at the top; some people stop being curious once they arrive, and their subsequent returns or impact will slow as a result

They were all curious on the way up, but some lose it at the top

64:51 Curiosity is uncorrelated with status some lose it at the top