Supercommunicators

How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection

By: Charles Duhigg

Narrated by: Charles Duhigg

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the bestselling 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

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 listeners 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.

©2024 Charles Duhigg (P)2024 Random House Audio

Eye opener

Loved listening to the author who is presenting us with plenty of examples how to make better and meaningful connections. Highly recommended.

This is what Audiobooks should be

Charles Duhigg has done it again. The audio narration by him really draws you in. Great stories combined with his great narration make this one of the best Audiobooks I’ve listened to.

I’m not the right audience, my bad

Full disclosure, I couldn’t finish, Very “facts not feelings,” tech bro “maximize you efficiency”approach to what is a a nuanced topic of sincerity, integrity, and true human connection. I’m not the audience because I’m not a liberal Gen X dad who needs the CIA to tell me how cool and quite useful, actually, human connection is. I favor Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg for a deeper dive using fewer words. Supercommunicators is well performed, well structured and easy to understand. I imagine for the right audience this could be a big step toward the perspective shift necessary for honest and vulnerable communication. May even help a handful of marriages stay together after the youngest graduates high school.

Communication Is Key

Practical advice I can put into practice immediately. The author is well spoken and it is obvious he is extremely knowledgeable. Thank you

Deeply insightful and important

So often, human connection seems to be a talent that “you either got it or you don’t.” This book offers incredibly insightful thinking and tools that make human connection achievable for anyone who wants to learn.

Plenty to consider

There are countless nuggets here and some practical examples that are eye-opening and fun. Highly recommended.

Great story sharing with practical advice

Found this book to be wonderful and practical advice on how to love people well by working on communication (listening) skills. Found the chapter on vaccines to be REALLY biased. It framed it that getting vaxxed or not depended alone on our social identities and how relatable doctors are to us.
But otherwise liked the book.

Strong storyline, half-baked with new concepts

There is some new information on communication with updated sources and research which was great to hear. The story is cohesive and it embraces strong concepts that can be helpful to anyone.
About 60% of the book does bring up several similar concepts that you read in many HBR articles or other leadership/management books though.

Simple guidelines for communication

I liked the straightforward categories of conversations, and the case studies. It's a workable framework and easy to remember.

Wow

He does it again. I'm already going to listen to it again.
It is easily digestible and actionable.