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15 principles for managing up
When your boss loves you, you have options. Here's how to help your manager get what they need, so you get what you want.
Oct 25, 2023
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Wes Kao
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What being "inspiring" actually means
You are not Viggo Mortensen rallying men to fight Sauron. You are a knowledge worker in tech. Here's what it means to inspire in this context.
Jun 24
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Wes Kao
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[Fundamentals] How to share your point of view (even if you’re afraid of being wrong)
Sharing your point of view is one of the best ways to add value. So why do so many high performers hold back? Here's how to overcome this mental block…
Jun 10
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How to give a senior leader feedback (without getting fired)
Nov 20, 2024
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Why high performers make assertions: The difference between insights, suggestions, and assertions
Apr 30, 2025
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Wes Kao
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How to be concise
Aug 7, 2024
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Wes Kao
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How I give the right amount of context (in any situation)
Jun 5, 2024
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Take 3 minutes to delete these words and improve your writing forever
Jun 18, 2025
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Wes Kao
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Rigorous thinking: No lazy thinking
Nov 1, 2023
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Latest
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EQ is not just about what you say. It’s your body language too.
Understand your "tells," send the right signals, and other ways to reinforce your message.
May 27
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Wes Kao
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What to do if you're not "detail oriented"
For most knowledge workers, being able to produce work that’s error-free most of the time is a prerequisite. Your manager can't always be your safety…
May 13
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Wes Kao
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Speak in the affirmative: "Do this" versus "Don't do that"
Speaking in affirmatives is a simple way to reduce cognitive load for your recipient.
Apr 29
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Wes Kao
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[Fundamentals] Signposting: How to reduce cognitive load for your reader
Fundamentals is a new series that highlights my core concepts in communication, leadership, and influence that I personally keep coming back to.
Apr 15
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Wes Kao
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I’m an introvert. This is how I get myself to speak up.
Prepare go-to phrases to insert yourself in meetings, ask a colleague to keep you accountable, and other tactics I personally use to get myself to speak…
Apr 1
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Wes Kao
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Technical leaders make these 4 common storytelling mistakes
Anytime you feel the urge to say, “Well, technically…,” you’re about to kill a good story.
Mar 18
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Wes Kao
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Your manager is already investing in you
Don’t romanticize what it means to be mentored and coached. You might already be getting the support you've been looking for.
Mar 4
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Wes Kao
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[Fundamentals] Question behind the question
Answering questions is higher stakes than most people realize. The secret to increasing your effectiveness is to consider if there's an underlying…
Feb 18
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Wes Kao
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How to coach your team (without making them defensive)
When I give honest feedback, I don’t want people to argue with me. Here's a simple technique I use so my direct reports are more likely to listen with…
Feb 4
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Wes Kao
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Wes Kao's Newsletter
A bi-weekly newsletter on managing up, executive communication, and standing out as a high-performer. Written by an a16z-backed founder.
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