Techniques for Becoming a Supercommunicator

I’ve worked with so many students who are brilliant, but might not sound like it. They often ramble and stumble (if someone didn’t know them personally, they might label them as “not bright”). Here’s how I have trained 10,000+ students to sound smart (without faking it): 1. Speak in short, structured sentences Using big words and long sentences is the fastest way to lose credibility. People can see that you’re hiding behind jargon. So, instead: • Use short, declarative sentences • Pick simple, specific words • Structure your thoughts (“First... Second... Third...”) And here’s a bonus: pair your points with gestures (like holding up fingers). It increases your clarity, both verbally and nonverbally. — 2. Clarity = Competence Get to the point fast. Explain: • The problem • The solution • What you don’t know, and how you’ll figure it out That last one is underrated. Being able to say “Here’s what I don’t know (yet)” shows confidence, not weakness. — 3. Pay attention to your body gestures Avoid touching your face, fidgeting, or rubbing your neck during a conversation. These subconscious gestures signal “I’m nervous and unsure,” which erodes trust and credibility. . – 4. Want a confidence boost? Try this mindset: “I’m lucky.” Before a big meeting, pitch, or interview, try this: “I’m the perfect person for this. I’m lucky to be here, and they’re lucky to have me.” This mindset instantly upgrades your posture, tone, and energy. People trust those who believe in themselves. We trust people who feel lucky and capable. — 5. Know your story. Own your role. People with strong narrative identity—who know how their story fits into the moment—radiate confidence. Go in knowing: • What you bring • What do you want • How does this opportunity fit your bigger story — 6. One last tip: Nail the first impression. Before any big interaction, ask: “How can I be of service?” It instantly reorients your focus away from nerves, and toward connection. Whether you're in sales, therapy, leadership, or interviewing, that simple question builds warmth and trust. You don’t have to act smart. Speak clearly. Know what you know, own what you don’t, and bring presence and purpose into the room. That’s how you sound like the smart, capable person you already are.

One skill separates great communicators from average ones: Perspective-taking. The ability to see things from someone else’s point of view. But most people do it wrong. Here’s how to do it right, especially when you’re leading or being led: When you’re the boss, persuading down: You’re trying to convince Maria on your team to do something different. She’s pushing back. Your instinct might be to assert your authority. But that’s a mistake. Here’s why… Research shows: The more powerful you feel, the worse your perspective-taking becomes. More power = less understanding. So if you want to persuade Maria, don’t lean into your title. Do the opposite: dial your power down, just briefly. Try this: Before the next conversation, remind yourself: Maria has power too. I need her buy-in. Maybe she sees something I don’t. Lower your feelings of power to raise your perspective. From that place, ask: → What does she see that I’m missing? → What might be in her way? → What’s a win-win outcome? That shift changes the entire dynamic. Instead of steamrolling, you’re collaborating. And that’s how you earn trust and results. Now flip it. You’re the employee persuading your boss. It’s a high-stakes moment. You’re nervous. So do you appeal to emotion? No. Drop the feelings. Focus on interests. Here’s the key question: “What’s in it for them?” Not how you feel. Not your big dream. → Will it save time? → Improve performance? → Help them hit their goals? Make it about their world, not yours. Why? Because every boss has a mental shortcut: → Does this employee make my life easier or harder? Be the person who brings clarity, ideas, and upside. Not complaints, drama, or friction. In summary: → Persuading down? Dial down your power to see clearer. → Persuading up? Focus on their interests, not your emotions. Perspective-taking is a superpower, if you learn how to use it. Now practice, practice, practice.

Communication isn't what you say. It's what everyone hears. And not just what they hear passively. But what action your words inspire in them. If you're leading a team, remember: • 90% of your team didn't hear you the first time • 50% didn't hear you the third time • 10% never will Clear communication requires repetition. When you're sick of saying it, they start to hear it. Here's the pattern the best communicators follow: 1. Create Systems Don't rely on one-off conversations. Build processes that reinforce the message consistently. Different formats for different learners. 2. Embrace Repetition Clarity requires persistence, not perfection. Say it again. Then say it differently. Then say it again. 3. Verify Understanding Check what was heard, not what was said. Ask: "What did you take away from that?" Create feedback loops that close the gap. Here's how the world's best leaders put these patterns into practice: Satya Nadella's "Model-Coach-Care" ↳ Shows the way personally first ↳ Coaches others through the change ↳ Demonstrates genuine care for outcomes "Don't be a Know-It-All. Be a Learn-It-All." Ray Dalio's "Radical Transparency" ↳ Records every meeting at Bridgewater ↳ Makes them available to all employees ↳ Uses real-time feedback tools "Lead discussions by being assertive AND open-minded. At the same time." Andy Grove's "Disagree and Commit" ↳ Encouraged vigorous debate before decisions ↳ Required full alignment after decisions ↳ Made dissent safe, but execution non-negotiable "Let chaos reign, then rein in chaos." Steve Jobs's "Three-Story Rule" ↳ Every product launch told three stories maximum ↳ Repeated the same core message relentlessly ↳ Made complex ideas simple and memorable "Simple can be harder than complex." Reed Hastings's "Context Over Control" ↳ Netflix's culture deck shared widely for transparency ↳ Attracts the right people before they even apply ↳ Replaces rules with shared understanding "Don't tolerate brilliant jerks. The cost to teamwork is too high." The best leaders aren't the best speakers. They're the best at being understood. And they never stop until they are. 🔔 Follow Dave Kline for more leadership insights. ♻️ Share to help other leaders communicate with impact.

How do you become a more effective communicator? Last year, I helped develop a sales training program for a trillion-dollar company, where over 10,000 employees learned to refine their communication skills. But here’s the unexpected lesson: the key to better communication isn’t about talking—it’s about listening. No matter how persuasive you are, your message won’t land if you don’t understand the other person’s needs. Listening allows you to personalize your approach, make smarter recommendations, and create real alignment. Here’s how to do it: 👉 Listen before you speak Whatever you’re selling or sharing, take the time to deeply understand what the other person actually needs. That’s what makes your message resonate. 👉 Treat conversations like a documentary A friend of mine, a documentary filmmaker, trained herself to listen better by pretending every conversation was part of her job. Just like in filmmaking, you never want to interrupt an important moment. 👉 Stay quiet and absorb Instead of thinking about what to say next, focus on truly hearing the other person. It leads to better insights—and better outcomes. Strong communication starts with great listening. What’s your best strategy for becoming a better listener?

You know your stuff… but nobody else does. (This is how your expertise is sabotaging your influence) Last week, I gave a short talk at Toastmasters. Topic was very dear to my heart: Storytelling. I explained 5 story elements… and 5 minutes in, people looked lost. Later I realized… I was assuming they already knew everything I was teaching. BRUTAL TRUTH: The deeper your knowledge… the less likely others are to understand you. Here are 6 Curse-of-Knowledge traps… and how to communicate like a pro: 1/ USING JARGON ↳ Assumes everyone speaks your language ↳ Makes your audience feel lost ↳ Kills engagement instantly 🟢 POWER MOVE: Translate technical terms into plain language WHY IT WORKS: → Everyone follows your idea → Clarity makes you come across an expert → Positions you as clear, relatable, and persuasive 2/ PACE: Rushing through concepts ↳ You think it’s obvious → they don’t ↳ Brain overload → key points get lost ↳ Audience zones out 🟢 POWER MOVE: Slow down, break ideas into digestible steps WHY IT WORKS: → People absorb more → You look thoughtful, not impatient 3/ ABSTRACT CONCEPTS ↳ Ideas float in the air → nobody lands them ↳ Your brilliance seems disconnected ↳ Audience leaves confused 🟢 POWER MOVE: Give concrete examples, stories, analogies WHY IT WORKS: → Concepts stick → Easy to visualize ideas → People see relevance immediately 4/ SKIPPING STEPS ↳ You skip “obvious” reasoning → others can’t follow ↳ Assumes they’re already convinced → they’re not ↳ Creates gaps in understanding 🟢 POWER MOVE: Walk them through your logic, step by step WHY IT WORKS: → Ideas feel accessible → Builds credibility and trust 5/ ASSUMING People Care ↳ You think motivation is obvious → it’s not ↳ Audience resists what feels irrelevant ↳ Ideas are ignored 🟢 POWER MOVE: Explicitly connect ideas to their interests WHY IT WORKS: → People see the “what’s in it for me” → Increases buy-in and engagement 6/ Failing to test understanding ↳ Assumes clarity → you never know what stuck ↳ People nod but don’t actually get it ↳ Miscommunication persists 🟢 POWER MOVE: Rehearse with a non-expert and get feedback WHY IT WORKS: → Reveals blind spots → Lets you recalibrate before it’s too late The psychology is RUTHLESS: Every Curse-of-Knowledge trap trains people to: → Tune out your ideas → Question your clarity → Distrust your guidance HIDDEN COST? Brilliant ideas ignored. Opportunities lost. Authority silently eroded. ♻️ Repost to save a colleague from self-sabotage ➕ Follow Waqas, P. for more communication strategies 📌 Which Curse-of-Knowledge trap do you see most often in others?

SEAL training isn’t just about physical toughness (though there is plenty of that). One thing that makes SEALs elite operators is their mastery of communication under extreme pressure. The same is true in life and at work. Interestingly, your effectiveness as a leader and team member depends less on what you say and more on how you say it. Psychologist Albert Mehrabian found that when emotions are involved (which is in every important conversation), 93% of communication is nonverbal. It’s 55% body language and 38% tone. Words account for just 7%. Former Navy SEAL Alden Mills breaks down the principles of effective communication into a memorable acronym, S.E.A.L.S. These practices apply to every conversation where trust and influence matter. 🔹 S: Stand Tall Your posture speaks before you say a word. Confidence and presence start with how you carry yourself. 🔹 E: Eye Contact Your eyes reveal focus, credibility, and connection. Use them intentionally to earn trust. 🔹 A: Arms Open Open gestures invite open conversation. Closed arms shut down dialogue before it starts. 🔹 L: Lean In Leaning in shows people you are interested and value their words. It’s surprisingly powerful. 🔹 S: Salute This is a figurative salute. Giving recognition and respect fuels morale and collaboration. By applying these five principles, you inspire trust, collaboration, and higher performance. 👥 Here’s a pro tip: Don’t practice alone. Like SEALs, find a “swim buddy” who can give you honest feedback on how your communication really lands. I can personally attest to the power of this. Swim buddies (I like to call them “loving critics”) have made an outsized difference in my growth. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gj-MiSjD What technique do you use to supercharge your communication? Share in the comments.

When every unique idea is wrapped in an apology, you sound less competent. "Sorry to bother you." "Sorry if this is a dumb question." "Sorry, I don't get it." "Sorry, I haven't finished yet." That language feels polite. But over time, it trains people to treat your presence as an interruption. Confidence isn't about being loud. It's about being clear. Here are 8 shifts that change how people hear you: "Sorry to bother you" becomes "Is now a good time?" "Sorry, this may sound silly" becomes "You may have already considered this, but..." "Sorry, I don't get it" becomes "Can you clarify that for me?" "Sorry, I got that wrong" becomes "Good catch. Thank you." "Sorry, I haven't done this yet" becomes "Thanks for your patience." "Sorry, I need the day off" becomes "I'd like to take this date off." "Sorry, I can't help you" becomes "Let me find someone who can." "Sorry, it won't happen again" becomes "That's on me. I'll fix it." The goal is not to dodge accountability. The goal is to stop diminishing yourself. Strong communicators ask directly. ✅ Clarify directly. ✅ Own mistakes directly. ✅ Make requests directly. ✅ Solve problems directly. That's what people trust. That's what leaders do. People aren't just evaluating your work. They're evaluating how you carry it. Your words teach people how to treat you. Use them with care. Three things to try this week: 1️⃣ Audit the last 10 apologies you made at work. Replace any that were unnecessary with direct language. 2️⃣ Practice three stronger substitute phrases until they're automatic in meetings, email, and Slack. 3️⃣ Teach your team or your kids the difference between accountability and self-erasure. - j - 📥 Save this one to share with your team this week. ♻️ Repost if this resonates. ➕ Follow me, John Brewton, for more. 📬 Subscribe to Operating by John Brewton for deep dives on the history and future of operating companies. Link in profile.

If there is one leadership trait that can make or break your career, it is communication. After decades of leading teams and mentoring entrepreneurs, I have seen that the best leaders do not just talk. They connect. They simplify the problem, do not hesitate to be honest and avoid making word salads just to sound smart. For young hungry entrepreneurs, here are my three go-to lessons in communications- 1. Clarity + Honesty One of the hardest things I ever had to do as a first-time CEO was let someone go. They were not performing, but I kept putting off the conversation, hoping things would turn around. In hindsight, I was putting the company in jeopardy by not being transparent. Too often, we avoid difficult conversations because we want to be kind. But real kindness is honesty. When someone is not the right fit, you owe it to them to tell the truth. Otherwise, you are keeping them from finding the place where they truly thrive. 2. Communicate with Intention Most leaders spend far too much time doing and not enough time communicating. I have been guilty of this myself. We assume that because we are working hard, the message is understood. It rarely is. Your team cannot read your mind. They cannot guess your priorities or your strategy. You must slow down long enough to explain the “why” behind the work. 3. Use multiple Modes of Communications Not everyone learns or absorbs information the same way. Some people need to see it. Others need to hear it. A few need to read it. The best communicators use every tool available: visual charts for the analytical thinkers, verbal briefings for the listeners, and written follow-ups for those who like details. I have found that saying something once is never enough. Repeat your message through different formats and in different settings. You might feel like a broken record, but repetition builds clarity, and clarity builds trust. And only with trust, the whole team wins! You guys have been very supportive of my Thursday initiative, so here is a bonus point for the ones actually reading. Bonus Tip: The One-Minute Rule One of my favorite lessons comes from ‘The One Minute Manager’. Don’t save up your compliments or your critiques. When you catch someone doing something great or something that needs correction take one minute to tell them, specifically and sincerely. Be very specific be very direct, but most importantly be very respectful. Feedback delayed is feedback denied. In business, unclear communication has costed more millions than any competition every could. 💬🗣️💬 This post is part of my Thursday series: Built to Build: The Characteristics of Great Entrepreneurs Karen’s stories behind the traits that drive success. Next week, I will share the final, and perhaps most important, entrepreneurial trait of all: Resilience. See you Thursday. #BuiltToBuild #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Communication 

The fastest way to lose influence in a conversation? Make it about you. In business, leadership, and life, the strongest communicators understand one simple truth: Great conversations start with the other person. Too often we enter discussions leading with our agenda, our frustrations, or our perspective. The result is predictable. People disengage before real alignment ever begins. High-impact leaders approach conversations differently: - They lead with empathy, not urgency. - They seek to understand before trying to be understood. - They listen for needs, fears, motivations, and priorities. A practical framework I’ve seen work repeatedly if you’re patient: 1. Let them speak first Resist the urge to jump in, fix, or redirect. Presence builds trust faster than solutions. 2. Listen without interruption No defending. No reframing. No preparing your rebuttal while they talk. 3. Reflect what you heard A simple line changes everything: “Let me repeat back what I think I heard…” This creates clarity, reduces assumptions, and makes people feel respected. Master communicators don’t win conversations by talking more. They win by helping others feel heard. Humility is not passive. It’s strategic. When people feel understood, collaboration accelerates. Resistance drops. Real progress starts. Your perspective matters. You’ll get your turn. But the leaders who create lasting influence know when to speak, and when to make space. Listening isn’t a soft skill. It’s a leadership advantage.

Talking gets attention, but listening earns trust. Are you doing it right? Great communicators speak well. Exceptional ones listen even better. In a world full of noise, true LISTENING is an underrated superpower. It’s not just about hearing words—it’s about understanding, connecting, and responding with intention. Here are some listening skills to help you communicate more effectively: 🔑 1. Practice Active LISTENING Active LISTENING means giving your full attention and genuinely engaging with the speaker. Example: During a team meeting, resist multitasking. Maintain eye contact, face the speaker, nod to show understanding, and summarize key points like, “So what you’re saying is…” 🔑 2. Avoid Interrupting Let the speaker finish their thought without jumping in, even if you're eager to contribute. Example: If a colleague is explaining a challenge, resist the urge to interrupt with a solution. Wait until they’re done, then respond with, “Thanks for sharing that—here’s an idea we could explore.” 🔑 3. Ask Open-Ended Questions Encourage more in-depth conversation by asking questions that invite elaboration. Example: Instead of asking, “Did you like the proposal?” try, “What are your thoughts on how the proposal aligns with our goals?” 🔑 4. LISTEN Beyond Words Pay attention to tone, body language, and emotions to grasp the full message. Example: If a team member says they’re “fine” but their tone feels off, gently probe by saying, “It seems like there’s more to this—let’s dive into what’s on your mind.” 🔑 5. Show Empathy Acknowledge the speaker’s feelings and perspective, even if you don’t fully agree. Example: If a client expresses frustration, respond with, “I understand why you’re feeling this way. Let’s work together to find a solution that works for you.” 🔑 6. Provide Constructive Feedback Thoughtfully When it’s your turn to speak, make sure your response adds value and reflects your understanding. Example: After LISTENING to a junior colleague’s idea, say, “I love the creativity in your approach. One thing to consider might be…” LISTENING is a powerful skill that builds trust, strengthens relationships, and boosts collaboration. What strategies do you use to improve your listening?