This Week in Startups

chevron_right

The power of super communication with Charles Duhigg | E1938

whatshot 70 snips

Apr 26, 2024

Guest

Charles Duhigg

Charles Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author known for exploring the psychology of behavior, joins the conversation to dissect the nuances of effective communication. He highlights the importance of different conversation types and how humor can break barriers in social dialogue. Duhigg delves into storytelling as a tool for connection and trust, while addressing the dynamics of vulnerability and honesty in conversations. The discussion also touches on navigating gender differences and building deeper interpersonal relationships.

01:18:58

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Ask Deep Questions

Ask deep, insightful questions about values, beliefs, and experiences instead of surface-level ones.
If someone's a doctor, ask what they love about medicine, not just where they practice.

insights

INSIGHT

Gender and Communication

Gendered communication styles aren't inherent but rather culturally influenced habits and comfort levels.
Recognizing and adapting to these norms is key to effective cross-cultural communication.

insights

INSIGHT

The Power of Anecdotes

Anecdotes effectively package different conversational elements (practical, emotional, social) for better understanding.
Stories create emotional connections to ideas, making them more memorable.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Power of Communication in Startups

02:24 • 5min

chevron_right

Balancing Metrics and Intuition in Communication

07:17 • 3min

chevron_right

The Art of Effective Communication

10:06 • 9min

chevron_right

The Art of Conversation

18:46 • 5min

chevron_right

The Art of Connection: Laughter and Communication

23:30 • 16min

chevron_right

The Impact of Storytelling and a Million Dollar Opportunity

39:04 • 2min

chevron_right

Humorous Misadventures

41:24 • 7min

chevron_right

Authenticity in Conversations

48:08 • 16min

chevron_right

The Essence of Super Communication and Connection

01:04:31 • 2min

chevron_right

Finding Flow: The Joys of Outdoor Experiences and Writing

01:07:00 • 8min

chevron_right

Beyond Laughter: A Comedian's Journey

01:15:02 • 4min

chevron_right

#74

• Mentioned in 214 episodes

The Power of Habit

Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Charles Duhigg

In this book, Charles Duhigg explores the science of habit formation and change. He explains the 'habit loop' consisting of a cue, a routine, and a reward, and how understanding this loop can help in changing bad habits or forming good ones. The book includes numerous examples from various fields, such as how Procter & Gamble successfully marketed Febreze, how Alcoa transformed its business by focusing on safety, and how individuals like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and civil-rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. benefited from specific habits. Duhigg argues that by harnessing this science, individuals and organizations can transform their lives and businesses.

#159

• Mentioned in 133 episodes

Supercommunicators

How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection

Charles Duhigg

In this book, Charles Duhigg explores the secrets of 'supercommunicators' who excel at connecting with others. He delves into the three distinct types of conversations—practical, emotional, and social—and provides practical strategies and case studies to illustrate how to recognize and navigate these conversations effectively. The book includes examples from various contexts, such as jury deliberations, CIA recruitments, and workplace interactions, to demonstrate how communication can be improved. Duhigg emphasizes the importance of active listening, identifying complex emotions, and matching the type of conversation to enhance connection and understanding.

#1167

• Mentioned in 33 episodes

Born Standing Up

A Comic's Life

Steve Martin

In 'Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life', Steve Martin provides a detailed and candid account of his journey from his childhood to his rise as a stand-up comedian. The book delves into his early jobs at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, his development as a magician and comedian, and the struggles and successes he faced in his career. Martin also explores his strained relationship with his family, particularly his father, and how he eventually reconnected with them. The memoir highlights the dedication, discipline, and originality that defined his career and explains why he chose to leave stand-up comedy in 1981 to pursue other creative ventures. The book includes photographs and offers a unique insight into the life of one of the most iconic comedians of his time.

#175

• Mentioned in 126 episodes

On Writing

A Memoir of the Craft

Stephen King

This book is both a memoir and a writing guide. It details Stephen King's life, from his childhood and early writing endeavors to his struggles with addiction and his near-fatal accident in 1999. The book is divided into sections that cover King's life ('C. V. '), the nature of writing ('What Writing Is'), writing mechanics ('Toolbox'), his advice on the craft ('On Writing'), and his recovery from the accident ('On Living: A Postscript'). King offers practical tips on writing, including the importance of vocabulary, grammar, and style, as well as the need for consistent writing routines and ruthless editing. He emphasizes that good writing comes from within, driven by curiosity, wonder, and emotional honesty rather than commercial motives.

#350

• Mentioned in 79 episodes

Bird by Bird

Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Anne Lamott

Susan Bennett

Bird by Bird is a comprehensive guide to writing that covers various aspects of the craft, from the initial stages of starting a project to the technical details of plot, character, and dialogue. Lamott emphasizes the importance of persistence, faith, and hard work in writing. She advocates for writing imperfect first drafts and warns against the pitfalls of perfectionism and self-criticism. The book also delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects of writing, encouraging writers to confront their deepest fears and desires. Lamott's approach is down-to-earth, humorous, and generously filled with personal experiences and practical advice.

#3530

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

A Visit from the Goon Squad

Jennifer Egan

#498

• Mentioned in 61 episodes

Superforecasting

The Art and Science of Prediction

Dan Gardner

Philip E. Tetlock

Santiago Foz (argentino)

In this book, Tetlock and Gardner present the results of the Good Judgment Project, a massive forecasting tournament that identified a small group of 'superforecasters' who are exceptionally good at predicting future events. The authors explain that good forecasting does not require powerful computers or arcane methods but involves gathering evidence from various sources, thinking probabilistically, working in teams, keeping score, and being willing to admit error and change course. The book uses stories of forecasting successes and failures, as well as interviews with high-level decision makers, to illustrate these principles and demonstrate how anyone can improve their forecasting abilities.

#24343

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Follow the Story

How to Write Successful Nonfiction

James B. Stewart

In 'Follow the Story', James B. Stewart provides techniques for writing engaging nonfiction, covering topics from conceiving ideas to structuring narratives. He uses examples from his own work to illustrate effective storytelling methods. The book is a valuable resource for writers seeking to improve their craft in nonfiction writing.

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

LinkedIn Jobs. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. Go to https://www.linkedin.com/twist to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply.

Mantle. The AI-powered equity management platform designed for modern founders and operators. Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/twist

HubSpot. If you’re fundraising, be sure to check out the Million Dollar pitch competition from Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures. Apply now at https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch

Todays show:

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg joins Jason to discuss the different types of conversations (9:29), the role of humor (22:48), and they way conversation dynamics can shift (49:30).

Timestamps (0:00) Charles Duhigg joins Jason to break down his latest publishing, Supercommunicators

(4:01) The importance of communication in startups and lessons from "The Power of Habit”

(8:06) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist

(9:29) The role of communication in organizations and the different types of conversations

(21:30) Mantle - Get your first 12 months free at https://withmantle.com/twist

(22:48) Exploring the role of humor, laughter, and vulnerability in conversations

(30:06) Understanding gender and cultural differences in communication

(39:23) HubSpot - Be sure to check out the Million Dollar pitch competition from Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures. Apply now at ⁠https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch

(40:34) The role anecdotes have in conversation

(49:30) How the dynamic of the conversation shifts when someone has an ask

(1:01:35) The Harvard Study of Adult Development

(1:06:36) Closing remarks

Check out Supercommunicators: https://www.charlesduhigg.com/supercommunicators

Follow Charles:

X: https://twitter.com/cduhigg

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesduhigg/

Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp

Thank you to our partners:

(8:06) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist (21:30) Mantle - Get your first 12 months free at https://www.withmantle.com/twist (39:23) HubSpot - Be sure to check out Hubspot for Startups & HubSpot Ventures for their Million Dollar pitch competition. Apply now at https://www.hubspot.com/milliondollarpitch

Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

Founder University: Cohort 8 begins May 9th. Apply here: https://www.founder.university

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books