Supercommunicators

How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection

By: Charles Duhigg

Narrated by: Charles Duhigg

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

ONE OF NPR’S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • FINALIST FOR THE SABEW BEST IN BUSINESS BOOK AWARD

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

Some nuggets of Gold in there if you’re patient

The first half of the book I learned a good bit, the stories were really good, the second half of the book looks into a few examples and to put it plain, the examples tend to be more “left leaning” but if you can sit through them you’ll be able to extract some good nuggets from the second half as well. If you’re left leaning, fantastic book, buy it. If you’re right leaning, buy it if you’re patient and can sit through the gun, vaccine, race theory, and “feelings” topics

Thoughtful and Actionable

As a professional, storyteller and communicator myself, I found this book incredibly insightful. Explains how we use stories and conversations to unlock the code of the human nervous system to create deep and meaningful connection with other people. Which is where true happiness is born.
Bravo, Mr. Duhigg!

insightful for today

Charles through exploration on super communicators is needed for today. He brings great examples forth for how people can connect and navigate conversations better. This book is on the helpful level similar to how to make friends and influence people, but does so by inviting the reader to be genuine and sincere.

Communication builds connection

Duhigg has the ability to teach you about communication in a way that seems achievable in a world where we can be fearful to speak. Words have emotional ties, and learning about one another can build a powerful bridge connecting even the widest divides. This is a must read for everyone!

Using the the technique in real life situations

A great listen on how to listen to people and be heard as well as improving your daily social skills

Perspective personified

Interested in gaining perspective of those unlike yourself, managing tough conversations, and harnessing skills of diplomacy, consideration and forthrightness? Listen in.

Life Changing!

Audible recommended this book to me, apparently based on my reading history, I am so grateful! This book has made huge impact on me, and I see how it could easily change many lives and possibly the world.

Clearly one of the most impactful books I’ve read in years. In a few short hours I’ve had massive life insights as to how much better my life and my impact on people around me could’ve been (and can/will be). Dang I wish I had it 10, 20, 30 or 40 years ago!

I’m retired from what I felt was a very satisfying career; I touched a lot of people but was often poorly accepted by fellow staff, family, etc., due to my communication style.

A few hours reading this book has already made a huge difference in my life! I’m on vacation now with my wife and in just a few days I have massively improved our communication and she’s smiling and laughing more than ever. It’s like I’m again able to make this beautiful flower bloom (concept stolen from a Thich Nhan Han book).

I also enjoyed the afterword, felt like it was a description of me and my life. How could I have been so blind, I guess I just had to put on the right set of glasses. I will reread the book and then again whenever needed, it’s easy to forget and fall into old habits. I’m grateful for all the authors hard work and insight, and to Audible for realizing this is exactly what I needed.

Good information

Good information for increasing your communication skills. Followable with good analysis. Narrator/Author has pleasant speaking voice.

social identity

the correlation between communication and social identity is something I have always been interested in. As a African American that hypothesis helped, not so much shift my perspective, more so come to the conclusion that I am in dire need of a communication self-evaluation.

Transformative

I looked in the mirror of the present, the heartaches of the past, and the potential of the future.