Start your next meeting by asking each person one non-work question. Something simple — what they watched last night, what they’re looking forward to this weekend. Notice how it changes the energy.
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Sharpen Before You Ask
Before your next conversation, write down the one question you most want answered. Rewrite it twice — making it more specific each time. Ask the third version.
Cut to What Counts
Look at your current to-do list. Cross out everything that’s urgent but not important. What’s left? That’s where your attention should go.
Test Before You Build
Take the newest idea on your plate. Write down the one thing that must be true for it to work. Now design the smallest, fastest way to check whether it’s actually true.
Design the Conversation
Before your next group meeting, spend 5 minutes thinking about the structure. Who speaks first? What question opens the discussion? How will you make sure quieter voices are heard?
Let Your Idea Be Wrong
Share an early-stage idea and explicitly invite criticism. Say: “I’d love to hear what’s weak about this.” Notice how much easier it is to improve an idea when you’re not defending it.
Listen Like a Journalist
In your next one-on-one, pretend you’re interviewing the other person for a story. Focus only on understanding their experience. Don’t offer advice. Just ask follow-up questions.
Listen to Learn, Not to Win
In your next conversation, count how many times you start formulating your response while the other person is still talking. Each time you catch yourself, reset and refocus on their words.
Disagree With Curiosity
The next time someone says something you disagree with, replace “I don’t think so” with “Help me understand how you see it.” Treat their view as data, not a debate point.
Agree on the Problem First
Before jumping into solutions in your next meeting, ask the group: “Can someone describe the problem we’re solving in one sentence?” Don’t move on until everyone nods.