The question

What important truth do very few people agree with you on?

Originally asked

Peter Thiel, to job candidates, Zero to One, chapter 1, 2014

Peter Thiel, Zero to One, chapter 1, where it is introduced as his job-interview question. Thiel supplies his own standard: a good answer takes the form "most people believe x, but the truth is the opposite of x."

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Hanna Tetteh

UN Special Representative for Libya; former Foreign Minister of Ghana

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here
I have to be optimistic. Otherwise I'll stop. And I think that when you're doing this kind of job, you have to keep yourself optimistic. You always have to find openings and entry points and try to see what you can work with and where you can create some opportunity to have a conversation that results in some concrete outcome.

United Nations podcast, 23 June 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

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Alessia Cara Canadian singer-songwriter
It’s the world that's messed up, and it’s the world’s twisted view of what beauty should be. They need to change, it’s never you.
Recorded Danielle Sinay, Teen Vogue, 13 September 2016 source ↗
Brian Eno Composer, record producer and visual artist
I often say to people that producing is the best paid form of cowardice.
Recorded N/A, N/A, Pitchfork, 31 October 2008 source ↗
Abby Wambach United States international footballer, 2001–2015
For power to stay in power, the powerful have to impose some level of fear over the people that they are in power over. If you have power, you make decisions and if you make decisions you can probably keep power.
Recorded Matthew Hall, Guardian interview, The Guardian, 9 April 2019 source ↗
Arnold Palmer Professional golfer; winner of seven major championships
There is no king of golf. Never has been, never will be. Golf is the most democratic game on Earth. It punishes and exalts us all with splendid equal opportunity.
Recorded N/A, N/A, Golf Monthly, 28 July 2023 source ↗

More from Hanna Tetteh

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Question What is your greatest fear? Identity & self
I have to be optimistic. Otherwise I'll stop. And I think that when you're doing this kind of job, you have to keep yourself optimistic. You always have to find openings and entry points and try to see what you can work with and where you can create some opportunity to have a conversation that results in some concrete outcome.
Recorded United Nations podcast, 23 June 2026 source ↗
Question What does love feel like? Relationships
I have to be optimistic. Otherwise I'll stop. And I think that when you're doing this kind of job, you have to keep yourself optimistic. You always have to find openings and entry points and try to see what you can work with and where you can create some opportunity to have a conversation that results in some concrete outcome.
Recorded United Nations podcast, 23 June 2026 source ↗

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