Conversations range from awkward and mundane to engaging and meaningful. Supercommunicators know how to steer their discussions toward the latter.
They draw you in, help you come up with your best ideas, calm you down when you’re stressed, and make an hour of conversation feel like five minutes. For most supercommunicators, it’s a learned skill…that we can learn too. Author Charles Duhigg explains how we can become “supercommunicators” and be better friends, impactful parents, and outstanding managers.
Supercommunicators: Unleash Your Persuasive Power and Become a Master of Influence
Supercommunicators: The Ultimate Guide to Captivating Your Audience and Achieving Success
Are you ready to take your communication skills to the next level? In “Supercommunicators” by Charles Duhigg, you’ll discover the secrets of influential individuals who have mastered the art of persuasion. Dive into this compelling book and unlock your potential to become a supercommunicator.
Genres
Self-help, business, communication, psychology, leadership, personal development, success, influence, persuasion, nonfiction
“Supercommunicators” by Charles Duhigg explores the techniques and strategies employed by highly effective communicators. Duhigg delves into the science behind persuasion, drawing on real-life examples and cutting-edge research.
He uncovers the key elements that enable individuals to captivate audiences, inspire action, and achieve their goals. From crafting compelling narratives to leveraging the power of empathy, Duhigg provides a comprehensive framework for becoming a master communicator.
The book offers practical insights and actionable advice, empowering readers to enhance their communication skills in both personal and professional contexts.
Review
Charles Duhigg’s “Supercommunicators” is a must-read for anyone seeking to improve their communication skills and increase their influence. Duhigg’s engaging writing style and well-researched content make the book both informative and enjoyable. He skillfully weaves together scientific findings, real-world examples, and practical strategies, creating a comprehensive guide to effective communication.
The book’s structure allows readers to easily grasp the key concepts and apply them to their own lives. Duhigg’s insights into the power of storytelling, empathy, and authenticity are particularly valuable. While some of the ideas may be familiar to seasoned communicators, Duhigg’s fresh perspective and actionable advice make “Supercommunicators” a worthwhile read for anyone looking to enhance their persuasive abilities. Whether you’re a business leader, public speaker, or simply seeking to improve your interpersonal relationships, this book provides the tools and inspiration to become a supercommunicator.
Loop for Understanding
- Ask a question that allows someone to open up and express their feelings. For instance, “You seem a bit quiet today. Is everything okay?”
- Paraphrase what they say to show that you were listening. You might say, “Just so I understand correctly, you feel like your workload is too much and you’re overwhelmed.”
- Verify that your summary was accurate. This step may seem unnecessary, but getting verbal confirmation increases trust and connection. End your paraphrase with phrases like, “Does that sound right?” or “Am I close?”
When you loop for understanding, you give people your full attention because you don’t want to botch your paraphrase and show that you weren’t listening. It’s like you have a pop quiz every few seconds, so you better lock in.
After completing one loop, open another by asking for more details with questions like, “Can you tell me more about…?” or “How is this starting to affect…?” The more you loop, the more they’ll open up, making your conversation more and more meaningful. But if you’re talking to someone you barely know, like someone you just met or someone at work who only has surface‐level conversations with you, they will rarely open up…unless you’re a supercommunicator.
Ask Deep Questions
Most people ask questions to gather facts like, “Where are you from?” or “What did you do last weekend?” But supercommunicators ask questions that generate feelings—questions like, “What do you love most about your hometown?” or “What was the highlight of your weekend?” These types of questions get people to reveal their values, beliefs, and experiences, helping you to connect with them on a deeper level.
Start asking deep questions by remembering the acronym D.E.E.P. (Dreams, Elevated experiences, and Passions) before your next conversation:
- When you learn what someone does for a living, don’t ask, “How long have you worked there?” Instead, ask, “Do you love doing that?” If they say, “Not really,” ask, “Have you dreamed about doing something else?”
- When you learn where someone went to college, ask, “What was your favorite experience there?” to direct the conversation toward an elevated experience that will elicit emotion.
- When you learn where someone lives, ask, “What do you like most about living there?” If they say, “It’s a great place to raise kids,” they may love being a parent, and you can ask more questions about parenting to get them more emotionally engaged in your conversation.
Reframing your questions to reveal people’s dreams, elevated experiences, and current passions will typically get them to open up and be vulnerable. If that happens, you must return the favor.
Reciprocate Vulnerability
When someone reveals something personal, reciprocate with a story from your own life. If someone mentions they are struggling after the death of their father, talk about how you struggled after the death of a parent, grandparent, or close friend. It’s important to share just enough of a personal experience so that someone doesn’t feel alone, but not so much that you steal the spotlight. Supercommunicators always look to play a supporting role in a conversation and avoid being the main character. They let other people drive the conversation by asking interesting questions. In fact, supercommunicators ask 10 to 20 times as many questions as the average person.
“Our goal, for the most meaningful discussions, should be to have a ‘learning conversation’ Specifically, we want to learn how the people around us see the world and help them understand our perspectives in turn.” – Charles Duhigg