Artwork for podcast Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen
S5E3 - Knowledge Is Power
Episode 316th June 2025 • Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen • McKay Christensen
00:00:00 00:29:25

Share Episode

Shownotes

In yet another insightful episode of the Open Your Eyes podcast, McKay traces the transformative power of knowledge, from the darkness of the 14th century to the modern bookshelf. By exploring key lessons from history and foundational books, he demonstrates how acquiring knowledge remains the ultimate tool for personal growth, effective leadership, and a more fulfilling life.

Drawing a stark contrast between a pre-literate world of disease and ignorance and the revolutions that followed, our host credits Johannes Gutenberg's printing press with changing the world. He then distills potent, actionable wisdom from a number of influential books, including practical tactics on negotiation from Never Split the Difference, persuasion from Influence, and marketing from Contagious. The episode also highlights the power of perseverance over talent as detailed in Grit and the necessity of emotional focus in leadership from Daniel Goleman's work, ultimately encouraging listeners to see reading not as a pastime, but as a direct path to empowerment.

Main Themes:

  • Knowledge is the ultimate form of power.

  • The spread of information, via the printing press, ended an era of ignorance and sparked global progress.

  • Reading is a direct path to personal and professional growth.

  • Effective negotiation is a process of discovery, not a battle.

  • Understanding human psychology (reciprocity, social proof, providing reasons) is key to influence.

  • Grit and perseverance are often more important than innate talent.

  • Emotional intelligence allows leaders to focus on what truly matters.

  • Marketing should be a generous act of helping others.

Top 10 Quotes:

"Knowledge has the power to change people, cultures, homes, families, and businesses."

"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader."

"Negotiation is not an act of battle; it's a process of discovery."

"People simply like to have reasons for what they do."

"Marketing is the generous act of helping others, not selling others."

"When we care, we share."

"Grit mattered more than intelligence, leadership, or physical fitness."

"Leaders with high emotional intelligence... can suspend emotions or reactions on things that don't matter most."

"What kept the population in such poor conditions was the lack of knowledge."

"At the foundation of our behavior and beliefs really is the way we see the world and ourselves in it."

Show Links:

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen

Links

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube

More Episodes
3. S5E3 - Knowledge Is Power
00:29:25
2. S5E2 - Everything is a Choice
00:27:06
1. S5E1 - Build Your Personal Brand
00:25:12
58. S4E58 - The Culture Effect
00:30:55
57. S4E57 - What Makes You Happy?
00:30:10
56. S4E56 - Speak So People Listen
00:29:52
55. S4E55 - The Best Speech of Your Life
00:33:22
54. S4E54 - How to Treat a Tick
00:33:10
53. S4E53 - The Rest of Your Story
00:30:23
52. S4E52 - Keep Your Faith
00:30:32
51. S4E51 - Looking for a Miracle
00:30:31
50. S4E50 - Discover Real Wealth
00:31:34
49. S4E49 - It’s No Fun Being Poor
00:30:45
48. S4E48 - Your Money Mindset
00:30:14
47. S4E47 - Are You Entitled?
00:33:04
46. S4E46 - It’s Time to Move
00:27:20
45. S4E45 - Stay In Your Lane
00:33:57
44. S4E44 - A Worthy Goal
00:29:36
43. S4E43 - How's Your Energy?
00:33:04
42. S4E42 - More Than Enough
00:29:53
41. S4E41 - Your Time Will Come
00:29:34
40. S4E40 - Finish Your Race
00:29:07
39. S4E39 - Reinvent Your Life
00:30:17
38. S4E38 - Why You’re Attractive
00:32:01
37. S04E37 - You’ve Been Prepared
00:32:30
36. S04E36 - Live Above The Line
00:32:04
35. S04E35 - Focus on the Big Rocks First
00:32:28
34. S04E34 - Your Strategy for Life (Part II)
00:32:53
33. S04E33 - Your Strategy for Life (Part I)
00:30:59
32. S04E32 - The Gift of Choice
00:31:59
31. S04E31 - Bridging the Gap
00:33:05
30. S04E30 - The Propensity to Hope
00:30:10
29. S04E29 - The Least You Can Do
00:31:10
28. S04E28 - A Noble Responsibility
00:33:05
27. S04E27 - Do What Is Great While It Is Small
00:32:50
26. S04E26 - Reset Your Thermostat
00:27:27
25. S04E25 - Confidence Wears Red Lipstick
00:28:49
24. S4E24 - What Matters Most
00:30:13
23. S04E23 - A Leader with Influence
00:26:33
22. S04E22 - Start Your Impossible
00:29:51
21. S04E21 - The Story of Your Life
00:24:52
20. S04E20 - Reframe Your View
00:31:17
19. S04E19 - What Glasses Are You Wearing?
00:24:38
18. S04E18 - Why I Admire You
00:24:55
17. S04E17 - What’s Next?
00:28:55
16. S04E16 - A Few Facts You Should Know
00:26:29
15. S04E15 - You Never Know
00:24:03
14. S04E14 - When People Look At You, What Do They See?
00:28:16
13. S04E13 - It’s An Inside Job
00:27:52
12. S04E12 - One Quote That Can Change Your Life
00:28:02
11. S04E11 - You Can Be Charming
00:26:30
10. S04E10 - People Aren’t Better Than You, They Just Know How
00:27:35
9. S04E09 - 1% Chance, 99% Faith
00:27:29
8. S04E08 - How Will You Measure Your Life?
00:28:45
7. S04E07 - Letting Go
00:26:56
6. S4E06 - It’s Halftime
00:28:11
5. S4E05 - The View From a Life Half Over
00:29:58
4. S4E04 - The Race for Second Place
00:26:23
3. S4E03 - 7 Ways to be a Better Man
00:28:48
2. S4E02 - Bridges We Build
00:27:00
1. S4E01 - Find Your Voice
00:29:54
52. S3E52 - Your Soul Purpose
00:28:18
51. S3E51 - Words Create Worlds
00:29:25
50. S3E50 - Out of the Shallows
00:30:20
49. S3E49 - You Have a Choice
00:29:06
48. S3E48 - There's a Lot Right With You
00:30:31
47. S3E47 - Your Belief Window
00:28:23
46. S3E46 - Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
00:28:59
45. S3E45 - Keep your Belief
00:29:23
44. S3E44 - Are You Open?
00:30:55
43. S3E43 - Your Opportunity
00:30:54
42. S3E42 - The Unexpected Life
00:29:24
41. S3E41 - A New Mindset
00:30:31
40. S3E40 - A Breakthrough is Coming
00:29:52
39. S3E39 - The Power of One More
00:30:25
38. S3E38 - The Greatest Thing You Will Ever Do
00:26:24
37. S3E37 - Think Again
00:29:51
36. S3E36 - Facing the Wave
00:29:27
35. S3E35 - Do It Afraid
00:29:59
34. S3E34 - What is a Leader? (Pt. 2)
00:30:50
33. S3E33 - What is a Leader?
00:28:45
32. S3E31 - Your Destiny Calls
00:30:45
31. Stand in Honor
00:29:17
30. S3E30 - Can You See What’s Happening?
00:28:16
29. S3E29 - A Life Worth Living
00:29:13
28. S3E28 - What’s Your Deal?
00:30:07
27. S3E27 - The Best Advice Ever Given (Part II)
00:29:38
26. S3E26 - The Best Advice Ever Given
00:30:07
25. S3E25 - Do It Anyway
00:31:01
24. S3E24 - Nothing Great is Easy
00:30:47
23. S3E23 - Embrace the Unexpected
00:29:48
22. S3E22 - Today is a Gift
00:29:41
21. S3E21 - It's Your Turn
00:30:15
20. S3E20 - Your Open Door
00:27:41
19. S3E19 - Your Tide is Turning
00:30:22
18. S3E18 - The Butterfly Effect
00:29:12
17. S3E17 - Who Are You Following?
00:32:18
16. S3E16 - How You Win
00:27:40
15. S3E15 - Thrive Under Pressure
00:29:57
14. S3E14 - Without A Doubt
00:31:58
13. S3E13 - Never Give Up
00:30:44
12. S3E12 - Trust The Process
00:30:19
11. S3E11 - A Time to Remember
00:28:31
10. S3E10 - Your Destiny
00:32:50
9. S3E09 - While You Wait
00:29:39
8. S3E08 - Take Control
00:31:05
7. S3E07 - A Matter of Courage
00:30:58
6. S3E06 - The Rising Tide
00:28:35
5. S3E05 - Great “Mess” to Greatness
00:32:22
4. S3E04 - You Can Begin Again
00:30:22
3. S3E03 - Be An Influencer
00:31:41
2. S3E02 - Peaks and Valleys
00:28:21
1. S3E01 - One Word That Can Change Your Life
00:29:41
52. S2E52 - The Road Ahead
00:29:34
51. S2E51 - The Best Within You
00:31:37
50. S2E50 - You Got This
00:31:51
49. S2E49 - Are You Inspirable?
00:28:37
48. S2E48 - Finding Your True Worth
00:29:46
47. S2E47 - Are You a Bucket Filler?
00:29:29
46. S2E46 - Are You Expecting?
00:30:00
45. S2E45 - Step Up To Change
00:30:05
44. S2E44 - Do You Know?
00:27:12
43. S2E43 - Do You Talk Funny?
00:29:07
42. S2E42 - What's Your Purpose?
00:29:44
41. S2E41 - Isn't It Time?
00:30:58
40. S2E40 - Get Your Life Back
00:30:32
39. S2E39 - It's Your Ship
00:31:35
38. S2E38 - What Are You Looking For?
00:29:45
37. S2E37 - Enjoy the Ride
00:28:52
36. S2E36 - The Innovation of You
00:30:25
35. S2E35 - The Positive Approach
00:30:59
34. S2E34 - Your Unfair Advantage
00:30:38
33. S2E33 - Are You All In?
00:30:48
32. S2E32 - It is Worth the Wrestle
00:31:49
31. S2E31 - You Always Have a Choice
00:32:29
30. S2E30 - Flip the Script
00:30:56
29. S2E29 - Remember Who You Are
00:30:12
28. S2E28 - As You Wish
00:29:48
27. S2E27 - What's Your Future Worth?
00:28:02
26. S2E26 - The Best In You
00:27:28
25. S2E25 - Fall Seven, Rise Eight
00:31:59
24. S2E24 - It’s Worth The Risk
00:30:48
23. S2E23 - Chief Inspiration Officer
00:30:25
22. S2E22 - Be Constructive
00:31:36
21. S2E21 - The Dichotomy of Greatness
00:29:19
20. S2E20 - Your Amazing Grace
00:30:52
19. S2E19 - How You Start is Not How You’ll Finish
00:32:49
18. S2E18 - Can You Decide?
00:30:21
17. S2E17 - Build Your Brand
00:32:30
16. S2E16 - Life’s Inevitable Flops
00:30:15
15. S2E15 - Which Way Are You Leaning?
00:32:11
14. S2E14 - The Jaws of Life
00:30:17
13. S2E13 - Just Show Up
00:30:07
12. S2E12 - Light Your Life
00:32:14
11. S2E11 - The Culture Effect
00:30:53
10. S2E10 - What Makes You Happy?
00:30:07
9. S2E9 - Speak So People Listen
00:29:49
8. S2E8 - The Best Speech of Your Life
00:33:19
7. S2E7 - How to Treat a Tick
00:33:07
6. S2E6 - The Rest of Your Story
00:30:20
5. S2E5 - Keep Your Faith
00:30:29
4. S2E4 - Looking for a Miracle
00:30:29
3. S2E3 - Discover Real Wealth
00:31:31
2. S2E2 - It’s No Fun Being Poor
00:30:42
1. S2E1 - Your Money Mindset
00:30:11
52. S1E52 - Are You Entitled?
00:33:01
51. S1E51 - It’s Time to Move
00:27:18
50. S1E50 - Stay In Your Lane
00:33:54
49. S1E49 - A Worthy Goal
00:29:34
48. S1E48 - How's Your Energy?
00:33:01
47. S1E47 - More Than Enough
00:29:50
46. S1E46 - Your Time Will Come
00:29:31
45. S1E45 - Finish Your Race
00:29:05
44. S1E44 - Reinvent Your Life
00:30:14
43. S1E43 - Why You’re Attractive
00:31:58
42. S1E42 - The Proximity Principle
00:32:29
41. S1E41 - Get Connected
00:31:01
40. S1E40 - You’ve Been Prepared
00:32:27
39. S1E39 - Live Above The Line
00:32:01
38. S1E38 - Focus on the Big Rocks First
00:32:25
37. S1E37 - Your Strategy for Life (Part II)
00:32:50
36. S1E36 - Your Strategy for Life (Part I)
00:30:56
35. S1E35 - The Gift of Choice
00:31:56
34. S1E34 - Bridging the Gap
00:33:02
33. S1E33 - The Propensity to Hope
00:30:07
32. S1E32 - The Least You Can Do
00:31:07
31. S1E31 - A Noble Responsibility
00:33:02
30. S1E30 - Do What Is Great While It Is Small
00:32:48
29. S1E29 - A Perfectly Imperfect Life
00:31:45
28. S1E28 - The Start of Something Good
00:32:11
27. S1E27 - You Gotta Have Heart
00:30:28
26. S1E26 - Clarity for Life
00:31:55
25. S1E25 - On The Other Side of Fear
00:27:52
24. S1E24 - What Matters Most
00:30:10
23. S1E23 - Make a Mental Shift
00:34:20
22. S1E22 - What’s Next
00:28:53
21. S1E21 - The Positive Affect
00:27:26
20. S1E20 - Start Your Impossible.
00:29:48
19. S1E19 - Are You Lucky?
00:33:25
18. S1E18 - The Best Time of Your Life
00:33:12
17. S1E17 - Successful Leaders are Twice-Born
00:32:20
16. S1E16 - Your Personal Power
00:33:00
15. S1E15 - Follow Your Impressions
00:31:11
14. S1E14 - Get Inspired
00:30:18
13. S1E13 - Just Try
00:31:58
12. S1E12 - Be a Person of Action
00:32:32
11. S1E11 - Reframe It
00:31:14
10. S1E10 - The Power of Priming
00:23:45
9. S1E9 - Keep Your Confidence
00:30:45
8. S1E8 - The 13th Virtue
00:28:32
7. S1E7 - Finish What You Started
00:29:40
6. S1E6 - Get Out of the Murky Middle
00:23:56
5. S1E5 - How Do You Find Greatness?
00:25:04
4. S1E4 - We All Fail--Remember It’s Halftime
00:28:11
3. S1E3 - Listen to the Right Voice
00:29:54
2. S1E2 - Put Words to Work
00:29:25
1. S1E1 - Open Your Eyes
00:28:23
trailer Trailer
00:01:50