Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of 'The Power of Habit,' shares insights on becoming a better communicator. He discusses the fascinating concept of neural entrainment, explaining how true connection occurs when our brains align. Supercommunicators enhance relationships by asking deeper questions, fostering emotional reciprocity, and creating safe spaces for dialogue. Duhigg emphasizes the importance of adaptability in conversations, especially in the workplace, to promote inclusivity and meaningful connections.
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insights INSIGHT
Types of Conversations
Conversations have multiple layers: practical, emotional, and social.
Miscommunication happens when people engage in different types of conversations simultaneously.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Ask Deep Questions
Ask deep questions about values, beliefs, or experiences to foster connection.
These questions encourage others to share meaningful parts of themselves.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Looping for Understanding
Practice "looping for understanding" to show active listening.
Ask a question, repeat back what you heard, and confirm your understanding.
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In this book, Charles Duhigg explores the science of habit formation and change. He explains the 'habit loop' consisting of a cue, a routine, and a reward, and how understanding this loop can help in changing bad habits or forming good ones. The book includes numerous examples from various fields, such as how Procter & Gamble successfully marketed Febreze, how Alcoa transformed its business by focusing on safety, and how individuals like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and civil-rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. benefited from specific habits. Duhigg argues that by harnessing this science, individuals and organizations can transform their lives and businesses[2][4][5].
Smarter Faster Better
The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business
Charles Duhigg
In 'Smarter Faster Better', Charles Duhigg explores the science of productivity through eight key concepts, including motivation, goal setting, focus, and decision making. The book uses real-world examples from various fields such as the Marine Corps, Google, and Disney to illustrate how productive individuals and organizations view the world and make choices differently. Duhigg combines neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics to provide practical advice on how to become more effective and in control of one's life and work.
Supercommunicators
How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection
Charles Duhigg
In this book, Charles Duhigg explores the secrets of 'supercommunicators' who excel at connecting with others. He delves into the three distinct types of conversations—practical, emotional, and social—and provides practical strategies and case studies to illustrate how to recognize and navigate these conversations effectively. The book includes examples from various contexts, such as jury deliberations, CIA recruitments, and workplace interactions, to demonstrate how communication can be improved. Duhigg emphasizes the importance of active listening, identifying complex emotions, and matching the type of conversation to enhance connection and understanding.
Charles Duhigg: Supercommunicators
Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist and the author of The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better. A graduate of Harvard Business School and Yale College, he is a winner of the National Academies of Sciences, National Journalism, and George Polk awards.
He writes for The New Yorker and other publications, and is host emeritus of the Slate podcast How To! He's the author of Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection*.
We all know that we can’t lead if we don’t connect. The best leaders not do this well, but they do it consistently with all kinds of people. In this conversation, Charles and I discuss what we can learn from the best communicators to get better ourselves.
Key Points
Neural entrainment is when we click with someone and can finish each other’s sentences (and even our biological responses align). Supercommunicators trigger this consistently across many kinds of relationships.
Supercommunicators aren’t always loudest or leading the conversation, but they ask more questions and adapt better in the moment.
Make emotional replies easier for others. Instead of, “Do you have any hobbies?” ask, “If you could learn anything, what would it be?”
Reciprocation of emotion is key for people to connect well. When another party is sharing something joyful, that’s an opportunity to share yourself.
When something is more contentious, loop for understanding by (1) asking a deeper question, (2) repeating back in your own words, and (3) asking if you got it right.
Resources Mentioned
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection* by Charles Duhigg
Interview Notes
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