In this week’s episode, McKay undertakes an examination of the power of gathering knowledge and ‘know-how’ by exploring the captivating journeys of several extraordinary individuals. Reviewing their unique approaches to problem-solving and relentless pursuit of knowledge, he brings to vivid life the fact that acquiring understanding of the ‘how’ can lead to remarkable achievements and innovations.
McKay highlights Tu Youyou’s research on Chinese herbal medicine that led to artemisinin, a key malaria treatment with a global impact, as well as John Snow's work during the 19th-century cholera outbreak, emphasizing meticulous data collection. The episode also covers Joshua Bell's metro station experiment, illustrating that recognizing excellence requires understanding the craft. Additionally, McKay reflects on Russell M. Nelson's heart surgery contributions, Bob Mankoff's journey to becoming a celebrated cartoonist, and Hedy Lamarr's frequency-hopping technology. Through these stories and his own sage observations, McKay demonstrates that greatness truly is rooted in know-how, inspiring us all to pursue mastery within our own lives.
Episode Highlights:
- The importance of "know-how"
- Tu Youyou’s discovery
- John Snow's cholera investigation
- Bob Mankoff and Joshua Bell’s examples of mastery and persistence
- Hedy Lamarr's example of interdisciplinary innovation
- Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000-hour rule, The Beatles, and the role of practice
- Examples from real life of choosing an area to master and seeking knowledge
- Being inspired by others’ achievements
Quotes:
"Youyou's discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives around the world."
"Great things are done by people who know how."
"Snow's intervention in removing the Broad Street pump handle effectively stopped the outbreak."
"In the middle of gaining more know-how, inspiration often comes."
"President Nelson's work in heart surgery was groundbreaking and life-saving."
“Remember, what you do duplicates.”
"Hedy Lamarr's frequency-hopping technology laid the groundwork for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth."
“Decide what you will dive into, find your topic for getting more know-how, follow the masters, ask questions, and stay patient and learning.”
Links:
https://www.mckaychristensen.org/
