Dan Heath, Best-Selling Author, Shares Lessons from ‘Made To Stick’ and Explores the Deeper Meaning of Everyday Jobs
Feb 2, 2024
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Best-selling author Dan Heath discusses the success of 'Made to Stick' and his new podcast focusing on real people in real jobs. He shares insights on avoiding sibling rivalry with co-author Chip, identifying good ideas, and the fear of writing. The podcast explores the emotional depths of everyday professions and the expertise of professional Santas. Dan also talks about changing book titles, career influences, and his current projects.
'Made to Stick' evolved from describing the world to guiding ideas to resonate with others.
Dan Heath's podcast 'What It's Like to Be' uncovers unexpected depths in everyday professions through intimate interviews.
Deep dives
The Origins of Made to Stick
The podcast delves into the origins of the book 'Made to Stick,' co-authored by Dan Heath and his brother Chip. Initially starting as a description of how the world operates, the book evolved into a guide on making ideas resonate with others. The book's success, despite being a one-off project for the brothers, led them to continue collaborating on subsequent books. Their collaboration stemmed from the satisfaction of seeing their ideas positively impact people's lives.
What It's Like to Be Podcast
Dan Heath discusses his new podcast 'What It's Like to Be,' which explores the daily experiences of various professionals. Each episode profiles a different profession, offering insights into the highs, lows, and peculiarities of the job. Through candid interviews, the podcast aims to shed light on the often overlooked aspects of everyday occupations, revealing unexpected depths in seemingly routine jobs.
Evolving Curiosity into a Platform
The idea for Dan Heath's podcast was sparked by his innate curiosity about people's professions and daily experiences. A pivotal moment came when he interacted with a plumber and pondered questions about the plumber's perspective on different customer scenarios. This contemplation led to the realization that he desired a platform to satiate his inquisitiveness and provide a deeper understanding of various occupations.
Unearthing Meaning in Professions
The podcast uncovers unexpected layers of depth in seemingly mundane professions through intimate interviews. Anecdotes like the professional Santa Claus episode highlight the difference between amateurs and professionals in their exceptional handling of unique situations and ability to enhance experiences. The profound insights revealed in these conversations showcase the everyday dignity and significance present in ordinary job roles.
Dan and his brother Chip are the authors of several best-selling business books, including one that was highly influential for Frank Blake during his time as CEO of The Home Depot. Dan joins Frank to talk about the legacy of his first big book, "Made to Stick," and his new passion project, a podcast interviewing real people working real jobs that they love.
We’ll discuss:
The surprising story of how ‘Made to Stick’ came to be
What Dan and Chip do to avoid sibling rivalry and work so well together as co-authors
Dan’s approach to identifying whether an idea is good or bad
What strikes fear into his heart as a writer
Dan’s new labor of love, the What It’s Like to Be podcast