Supercommunicators

How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection

By: Charles Duhigg

Narrated by: Charles Duhigg

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of The Power of Habit, a fascinating exploration of what makes conversations work—and how we can all learn to be supercommunicators at work and in life

“A winning combination of stories, studies, and guidance that might well transform the worst communicators you know into some of the best.”—Adam Grant, author of Think Again and Hidden Potential

ONE OF NPR’S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • FINALIST FOR THE SABEW BEST IN BUSINESS BOOK AWARD

Come inside a jury room as one juror leads a starkly divided room to consensus. Join a young CIA officer as he recruits a reluctant foreign agent. And sit with an accomplished surgeon as he tries, and fails, to convince yet another cancer patient to opt for the less risky course of treatment. In Supercommunicators, Charles Duhigg blends deep research and his trademark storytelling skills to show how we can all learn to identify and leverage the hidden layers that lurk beneath every conversation.

Communication is a superpower and the best communicators understand that whenever we speak, we’re actually participating in one of three conversations: practical (What’s this really about?), emotional (How do we feel?), and social (Who are we?). If you don’t know what kind of conversation you’re having, you’re unlikely to connect.

Supercommunicators know the importance of recognizing—and then matching—each kind of conversation, and how to hear the complex emotions, subtle negotiations, and deeply held beliefs that color so much of what we say and how we listen. Our experiences, our values, our emotional lives—and how we see ourselves, and others—shape every discussion, from who will pick up the kids to how we want to be treated at work. In this book, you will learn why some people are able to make themselves heard, and to hear others, so clearly.

With his storytelling that takes us from the writers’ room of The Big Bang Theory to the couches of leading marriage counselors, Duhigg shows readers how to recognize these three conversations—and teaches us the tips and skills we need to navigate them more successfully.

In the end, he delivers a simple but powerful lesson: With the right tools, we can connect with anyone.

Excellent book!

This book is in the style of Michael Lewis, Malcolm Gladwell in storytelling and is very enjoyable and offers lessons on how to communicate with others. It’s my introduction to the author and now I will check out his other books.

Basic skills that more people could learn.

Very basic skills are outlined and examples are provided. Some of the examples went to places that aren’t necessary for the content of the book, but everyone has an agenda. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but didn’t walk away with any major “ah-ha’s.”

Was dope up to ch5 then lame after that

chapter 1-5 were really insitefull! and had stuff i started using right away with People. after that it got into the more "trending" topics vaccines, race, tran, pronouns ect. shiz was lame i think most people are tired of hearing all that.

it's already changed how I communicate

Gripping and relevant! I've changed my communication in ways far beyond other approaches that have suggested avoiding yes no questions. Conversations I'm having now are deeper, almost effortlessly. It's magical. Highly recommended!

Accessible theories that seem applicable

He does a good job of seeing and articulating the application of communication theories to the real world. His three types of communication aren’t that different from the Parent-Adult-Child of Eric Berne in Transactional Analysis and Thomas Harris in I’m Okay, You’re Okay. Simple to apply concepts that can be helpful.