Radical 手

12 strokes

esteem 尚 (542a) + hand 手 (31) = palm 掌

This means a palm (of the hand), and by extension to control something.

掌握 (474) zhǎngwò know well, have a good command of

(Briefing to the recipients at the military medal ceremony) “If the esteemed lady offers you her hand, take care to notice if it is palm up (shake it) or palm down (kiss it). / Teddy, holding the medals ready, will jangle them if you look like getting it wrong.”