As AI grows, so does the value of interpersonal skills.

Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg focuses on just that.

Here are 3 useful takeaways I had from that book.

1/ Recognize the 3 main conversation types:

• Practical (“What’s this really about?”)
• Emotional (“How do we feel?”)
• Social (“Who are we?”)

Recognizing these improves clarity. I’m sure I’m not the only husband out there who enters what should be an emotional conversation but misinterprets it as practical. (Work in progress… first step is acceptance!)

2/ Loop for understanding: Confirm comprehension by restating the other person’s points and checking for accuracy. This is especially important for discussions where there is disagreement. Instead of jumping in with your opinion, first loop for understanding.

3/ Match energy: Adapt your tone, pace, and language to mirror the speaker for greater connection and rapport. Mirroring is one of the key concepts from Never Split the Difference. Noticing energy and matching, or acknowledging it, takes it a step further.

Overall, it’s a good read. It builds on concepts from classics like How to Win Friends and Influence People while also introducing new ideas. Sharpening communication and interpersonal skills will continue to provide leverage for those who choose to work on them.