LP
Become a better communicator: Specific frameworks to improve your clarity, influence, and impact
@ Lenny's Podcast
04/06/25
Takeaways
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
I often see operators who explain things poorly and are shocked when people are confused or skeptical. Instead of blaming others, I ask myself how I might be contributing to that confusion and how I can explain things more clearly and compellingly.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
The blast radius of a poorly written memo is much larger than most people think. If you send a confusing message in a Slack channel, it leads to unnecessary back and forth. Taking a moment to clarify your message can save everyone time and effort.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
The MOO framework stands for 'Most Obvious Objection.' By anticipating the obvious objections you might face in meetings, you can prepare better responses and avoid being blindsided by unexpected questions.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
A common mistake is overestimating the amount of buy-in you have from your audience. You should start with a sales note to get people excited about your idea before diving into logistics.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
Being concise is not about word count; it's about the economy of words and the density of insights. You can have a long memo that is clear and concise, and a short memo that is confusing and meandering.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
Signposting involves using specific words and phrases to guide your reader through your writing. This technique helps clarify the structure and main points of your message, making it easier for the reader to follow along.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
To improve your communication skills, focus on one tactic at a time rather than trying to incorporate multiple changes at once. Monitor how quickly you get the desired reactions from your audience to gauge your progress.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
Investing a little more time in crafting your messages can prevent confusion and save time in the long run. Each piece of communication contributes to your overall work quality, so it's worth the effort to make it clear and effective.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
When communicating, it's important to speak accurately about your level of confidence. Avoid stating hypotheses as facts; instead, frame your ideas as possibilities or initial hunches to maintain credibility.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
If you're pitching something that isn't aligned with the company's current priorities, it's unlikely to be prioritized.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
When pitching an idea, connect it to the goals of the person you're pitching to, so they see how it helps them.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
The MOO framework stands for 'Most Obvious Objection' and helps anticipate objections before presenting an idea.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
When you don't know the answer in a meeting, instead of saying 'I'll get back to you,' try to provide context or related information to keep the conversation going.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
Managing up is an ongoing skill that evolves as you progress in your career; it becomes more important as you become more senior.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
It's important to share your point of view with your manager to reduce their cognitive load and help them think through problems more effectively.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
When giving feedback, focus on motivating behavior change rather than self-expression; trim everything that doesn't contribute to that goal.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
When delegating tasks, ensure the person understands the end result and provide excitement about the task to motivate them.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
Swipe files are collections of inspiration that help you notice effective communication and strategies from others.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
Everything takes longer than you think, so it's useful to add buffers for yourself in any project or task.
WK
Wes Kao
04/06/25
@ Lenny's Podcast
I realized that I could craft my business around only the parts that I'm best at, which is really freeing.