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Become a better communicator: Specific frameworks to improve your clarity, influence, and impact | Wes Kao (coach, entrepreneur, advisor)

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Become a better communicator: Specific frameworks to improve your clarity, influence, and impact | Wes Kao (coach, entrepreneur, advisor)

Lenny's Podcast: Product | Career | Growth

2025/04/06
Lenny's Podcast: Product | Career | Growth

Lenny's Podcast: Product | Career | Growth

2025/04/06
OverviewShownoteHighlightsTranscriptChaptersPins

Shownote

Wes Kao is an entrepreneur, coach, and advisor. She co-founded the live learning platform Maven, backed by First Round and a16z. Before Maven, Wes co-created the altMBA with best-selling author Seth Godin. Today, Wes teaches a popular course on executive c...

Highlights

In this episode, Wes Kao, an entrepreneur and coach specializing in executive communication, shares actionable strategies to enhance communication skills. Her expertise stems from co-founding Maven and creating the altMBA with Seth Godin. Wes emphasizes practical techniques for persuasive communication, concise messaging, and building influence through clear expression.
00:00
Ask yourself how to improve communication when not getting the desired reaction.
05:34
She raised company writing quality by 2x.
06:58
When not getting the desired reaction, reflect on your communication rather than blaming others.
13:58
Always include a concise selling point at the start of discussions.
18:20
Effective conciseness is not about word count but economy of words.
24:31
Two books, On Writing Well by William Zinsser and Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, help write more effectively.
27:36
Signposting uses words and phrases to guide readers effectively.
32:05
Observe reaction speed and enthusiasm to improve communication.
40:41
Spending more time on communication can lead to better outcomes
42:23
Overconfident people state hypotheses as fact, while underconfident ones undermine their recommendations.
53:06
Thinking ahead about the most obvious objection can help strengthen a pitch.
54:00
Probing and validating are useful techniques in high-stakes conversations.
57:37
Start with MOO and frame conversations up front
1:01:41
Sharing your point of view with evidence makes managers' lives easier.
1:04:58
Vent frustrations before giving feedback to prevent snapping.
1:09:42
The CEDAF framework helps ensure delegates have all they need and understand the importance of their tasks.
1:16:36
Swipe files can include quotes, screenshots, and strategy docs, analyzed for effectiveness.
1:19:59
Wes uses Claude for several hours daily to refine her work output.
1:29:48
Decide based on excitement, fit, and ROI; focus on core competencies.

Chapters

In this episode, we cover:
Introduction to Wes Kao
00:00
Working with Wes
05:34
The importance of communication
06:58
Sales before logistics
10:44
Being concise
18:20
Books to help you become a better writer
24:31
Signposting and formatting
27:30
How to develop and practice your communication skills
32:05
Slack communication
40:41
Confidence in communication
42:23
The MOO framework
50:17
Staying calm in high-stakes conversations
54:00
Which tactic to start with
57:36
Effective tactics for managing up
58:53
Giving constructive feedback: strategy, not self-expression
1:04:53
Delegating effectively while maintaining high standards
1:09:39
The swipe file: collecting inspiration for better communication
1:16:36
Leveraging AI for better communication
1:19:59
Lightning round
1:22:01

Transcript

Wes Kao: I often see operators who explain things poorly and then are shocked and horrified. When people are confused or there's skepticism, there's apathy. I'm a big proponent of asking myself, if I'm not getting the reaction that I'm looking for, how mig...