A Note from James:
Sometimes I think I'm a pretty good communicator, but sometimes I'm just awful. It's really important to have good skills at communicating - I've done lots of kind of communicating. I've been a public speaker. I've been in sales. I've been an entrepreneur. I've been a standup comedian and I've been a podcaster, but my biggest communications have been with writing and you really always have to put yourself in the shoes of the other person.
Fortunately, I just read an incredible book - I highly recommend it - called Supercommunicators by my good friend, Charles Duhigg. You've previously seen him on the podcast for Smarter Faster Better and his book The Power of Habit.
All of his books have been great. But this one just blew me away. I invited him on the podcast. And I had a ton of questions for him. And here he is.
Episode Description:
The discussion navigates Charles Duhigg's transition from The New York Times to The New Yorker and how it shaped his perspective on communication. He introduces the concept of practical, emotional, and social conversations and how understanding these can improve one's communication proficiency. The conversation also addresses the importance of systematizing communication and how pre-preparation lessens anxiety. Key highlights include the art of negotiation, maintaining a nonjudgmental attitude, and harnessing curiosity for effective interaction. Duhigg also introduces his book 'Supercommunicators', a culmination of three years of work, where he explores these principles in detail. The program encourages audience interaction and asserts that everyone can become a 'supercommunicator' with awareness and technique.
Episode Summary:
00:01 Introduction and Career Transition to The New Yorker
01:18 The Writing Process and Balancing Multiple Projects
01:49 The Journey of Writing 'Supercommunicators'
02:08 The Art of Writing Books and Stories
02:46 Personal Growth and Self-Improvement
03:24 The Struggle of Communication and Its Importance
04:49 Understanding Different Types of Conversations
05:52 The Power of Matching in Conversations
07:12 The Role of Authenticity in Communication
08:16 The Art of Asking Deep Questions
09:35 The Impact of Authenticity and Vulnerability in Conversations
13:39 Navigating Difficult Conversations
15:16 The Power of Understanding in Conversations
22:10 The Art of Recruiting in the CIA
29:10 The Importance of Authenticity in Difficult Conversations
39:49 Understanding the Power of Communication
40:27 The Art of Active Listening
40:53 The Importance of Genuine Understanding
41:15 The Power of Perspective Sharing
41:28 The Impact of Authenticity in Communication
41:56 The Role of Empathy in Difficult Conversations
42:57 The Pitfalls of Trying to Convince Others
43:02 The Power of Motivational Interviewing
43:51 The Importance of Shared Concerns in Communication
44:37 The Power of Facts in a Common Ground
45:07 The Role of Neural Entrainment in Communication
45:21 The Power of Connection in Communication
45:38 The Importance of Genuine Conversation in Relationships
47:50 The Power of Self-Awareness in Communication
49:02 The Role of Communication in Influencing Others
51:08 The Importance of Understanding Communication Channels
53:36 The Power of Authenticity in Online Communication
56:22 The Role of Communication in Public Speaking
59:07 The Power of Curiosity in Communication
01:12:14 The Importance of Respect in Communication
01:16:25 The Role of Communication in Building Relationships
01:17:56 The Power of Communication in Personal Growth
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