Persuasive communication and managing up | Wes Kao (Maven, Seth Godin, Section4)

Aug 28, 2022 53m 8s 15 insights Episode Page ↗
Wes Kow, co-founder of Maven, shares high-value insights on managing up, the "super specific how" for writing, the "state change method" for engaging meetings, and effective strategies for saying no.
Actionable Insights

1. Embrace Managing Up

Actively manage your boss to gain appreciation, more opportunities, and trust, recognizing that this skill is crucial at all career levels and is often mastered by the most senior individuals.

2. Keep Your Boss Informed Proactively

Regularly update your manager on your decisions and work, providing the right level of context, especially for irreversible or expensive choices, to avoid surprises and constant questioning.

3. Send a Weekly “State of You” Email

Implement a weekly email to your manager outlining your current priorities, any blockers requiring their help, and other key thoughts, ensuring alignment and preventing miscommunication.

4. Over-Communicate (Especially Remotely)

Err on the side of over-communication in all work contexts, particularly in remote settings, as what feels like excessive communication to you is often just the right amount for the recipient.

5. Structure Communication with TLDR First

Place the most important point (TLDR) at the top of your communications, followed by optional detailed context, allowing recipients to quickly grasp the main idea or delve deeper if needed.

6. Focus Writing on “How” Not Just “What” & “Why”

When writing or teaching, dedicate more time to explaining “how” to apply concepts and the nuances involved, rather than over-elaborating on the “what” and “why,” which your audience likely already understands.

7. Cut Backstory; Start Right Before the Action

Eliminate unnecessary backstory and preamble in your writing, getting straight to the most engaging or “juicy” part of your narrative with minimal context to maintain reader interest.

8. Study the Craft of Writing

Beyond mimicking others, actively study the technical aspects and craft of writing (e.g., sentence structure, logical arguments) to precisely convey your meaning and avoid accidental misdirection.

9. Be Intentional with Recommendations

When presenting options or pros/cons, clearly state your recommendation upfront to build trust and avoid appearing biased, even if you then discuss associated risks or downsides.

10. Start Business Communications with Conclusion

In business contexts, begin your communications with your conclusion or main point, then follow with the supporting rationale, rather than building up to the conclusion at the end.

11. Punctuate Monologues with State Changes

In meetings or presentations, actively break up monologues with “state changes” (e.g., chat questions, polls, breakout rooms, speaker changes) every 3-5 minutes or slides to maintain audience engagement.

12. Observe “Eyes Light Up” Moments

Pay close attention to when people’s eyes genuinely light up during conversations or explanations, using these visceral reactions as data to identify what truly resonates with them.

13. Tailor Content to “Eyes Light Up” Insights

Based on “eyes light up” moments, refine your content, pitches, and explanations by trimming out parts that bore people and focusing on what sparks genuine interest and engagement.

14. Say No by Discussing Trade-offs

When declining a request, especially with colleagues or managers, frame your “no” by discussing the trade-offs: “I can do X, but Y (current priority) will be delayed. Is that acceptable?”

15. Use “Prioritize and Communicate” for New Requests

When given a new task, communicate where it will sit in your current priority list and ask for confirmation or re-prioritization, rather than simply accepting or rejecting it.