The journalist Charles Duhigg currently writes for the New Yorker Magazine; has written three books on habits and productivity; and was the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for a series of articles on the business practices of technology companies.
Duhigg is probably best known for The Power of Habit, which posited that behavior, whether of individuals or groups, can be changed by disrupting the “habit loop” of trigger, routine, and reward.
His follow up Smarter, Faster, Better focused on productivity.
In Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, Duhigg explores the art and science of effective communication, offering insights into how individuals can foster deeper connections and navigate complex conversations.
Duhigg puts forth a framework for understanding the type of conversation an interlocutor is trying to have (Practical, Emotional, or Social), and then explains ways that individuals can align with the type of conversation at hand to promote meaningful engagement.
I found that a lot of the material in the book boils down to the application of common sense.
But I also find it helpful to have a new lens for looking at recurring situations, and practical tools for improving vital skillsets that foster productive communication.
The mid-20th century sociologist Willam H. Whyte said: “The greatest problem with communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished.”
Readers of Duhigg’s book may be better positioned to avoid this “greatest problem”, and instead benefit from clearer communication and, subsequently, deeper human connection.
-RK