Research Wednesday | October 22, 2024

Dear Friends,

This week’s evidence comes from one of my favorite authors, Charles Duhigg. “Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection” (2024) is particularly relevant to educational leaders. For people who are coaching colleagues, this might be especially helpful. Some key findings:

• Supercommunicators ask 10-20 times as many questions as others. 

• Matching principle - emotional conversation? Decision-making? Social? Matching is not mimicry - one needs to genuinely understand what they are feeling.

• “Do you want to be helped, hugged, or heard?” Ask people what they need to achieve a learning conversation.

• Some groups are much more synchronized than others. These groups included the super communicator - not necessarily a strong leader. Strong leaders did not help people align - dominant people pushed people into their own separate thoughts. 

• Great communicators spoke less than dominant leaders - usually to ask questions, not to give directions. 

• Prove that you are listening closely.

I can be reached at 781-710-9633 or douglas.reeves@creativeleadership.net, if you want to discuss this week’s research.

Best,

Doug