The Feynman Technique: Master Anything by Teaching It
from The Diary of a CEO
Last week, I attempted to explain AI copilots, automations, and large language models (LLMs) to a client. Confidently using terms like "prompt engineering," "API integrations," and "natural language understanding," I quickly noticed—their confusion growing—that my grasp of these topics wasn't nearly as solid as I'd believed.
As if the universe was paying attention to my little show, I stumbled with Feynman technique re-reading The Diary of a CEO — just the next day!
Richard Feynman, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist is renowned for simplifying incredibly complex ideas. Feynman famously said, "If you can't explain something to a first-year student, you don't really understand it."
This insight underpins the powerful learning method known as the Feynman Technique. Counterintuitive but effective: If you want deep mastery, teach the concept first.
Why Traditional Learning Falls Short
Most learning methods rely heavily on passive absorption—books, videos, notes. Yet, when it's time to explain or apply these ideas, we stumble. Passive learning gives the illusion of understanding but doesn't create the neural pathways necessary for real mastery.
Think about it: How often have you read something, felt you understood, yet struggled to recall key points shortly afterward?
The issue isn’t your memory—it’s your approach.
The Four-Step Solution: The Feynman Technique
1. Learn with Purpose
Dive into your topic through books, videos, or courses, but do so knowing you'll have to teach this material. This mindset transforms your engagement, prompting you to distill core principles and challenge assumptions.
2. Simplify to Teach
Explain what you've learned as if teaching a 12-year-old. Avoid jargon and simplify complex concepts into basic components.
Recently, explaining compound interest, I replaced technical terms with imagery: "Imagine a plant doubling in size every day. Initially, growth seems modest, but within weeks, it fills your home."
Struggling to simplify reveals exactly where your understanding gaps are.
3. Share Publicly
The intimidating yet powerful step: share your explanation openly—through blogs, social media, presentations, or simply with friends.
When I started sharing simplified business concepts on LinkedIn, initial posts felt daunting. Yet, this public accountability—or "skin in the game"—forced precision and clarity in my explanations.
4. Iterate and Refine
Feedback is invaluable. Did your audience grasp the idea? Could they explain it back? If not, return to step one, relearn, and simplify further. Iteration transforms surface familiarity into profound mastery.
Additional Benefits of the Feynman Technique
Beyond rapid learning, this method yields several powerful advantages:
Enhanced Communication Skills: Simplifying complexity sharpens clarity across all interactions.
Audience Growth: Consistently providing clear, accessible insights attracts followers and builds credibility.
Professional Advancement: The rare skill of simplifying complex concepts positions you distinctively, whether in marketing, engineering, or leadership roles.
Bottom Line: Embrace the Discomfort
The Feynman Technique aligns with the brain’s natural learning process: active engagement, simplification, and teaching.
It’s uncomfortable initially—acknowledging knowledge gaps, simplifying complexity, and sharing publicly. But discomfort signals true learning.
So, what concept will you master using the Feynman Technique this week?
That's it for now—keep learning, keep teaching.