Anders Ericsson spent more than thirty years studying top performers: violinists, chess players, surgeons, memory champions. In Peak, written with science journalist Robert Pool, he shares what he learned. His research also inspired the famous ten-thousand-hours idea, and here he explains in his own words what matters most.
The key is how we practice. Ericsson calls it purposeful practice: a clear goal just beyond what we can do today, quick feedback, and a teacher or coach who knows what good looks like.
Talent Takeaway
It reminds us how much growth comes from the way we practice. For the next skill you want to build in your team (a presentation, a sales call, a tough conversation), try three questions inspired by Ericsson. What exactly is the goal? How do we get feedback quickly? Who can show us what good looks like?
Our Take
A founding book of our field, written by the researcher himself. A great companion whenever we design practice for others.
Ericsson, K. A., & Pool, R. (2016). Peak: Secrets from the new science of expertise. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Find it