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Tone and words: Use accurate language
Words can encourage or discourage divergent thinking. Use language that accurately reflects your level of certainty, so you don't make overly-bold…
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Wes Kao
13
Announcing: My new course ✨
My 2-day intensive live course on “Executive Communication & Influence for Senior ICs and Managers” is now live--here’s why I built this and who it’s…
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Wes Kao
10
Part II: Derisking 12 common workplace scenarios
How to identify and address risks in situations like: giving constructive feedback, sharing a controversial idea, doing cold outreach, and more
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Wes Kao
3
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15 principles for managing up
 • Wes Kao
26
How to be more concise
 • Wes Kao
26
How I give the right amount of context (in any situation)
 • Wes Kao
12
Rigorous thinking: No lazy thinking
 • Wes Kao
26
Playing defense: How to control the narrative if your work is being questioned
 • Wes Kao
26
The unspoken skill of finesse
 • Wes Kao
16
Part I: Derisking 101: How to identify and reduce risk in your daily work
Train yourself to sense what could go wrong--while you can still shape the outcome. Ask yourself these two simple questions.
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Wes Kao
7
How to be more concise
The truth behind why it’s so hard to be concise, and 9 tactics I use to tighten my communication
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Wes Kao
26
Too detailed in the wrong ways, not detailed enough in the right ways
Details aren’t the problem. The problem is too many of the wrong details. Here are 5 real-life examples, so you can spot this in your own work.
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Wes Kao
4
Managers, be explicit about what you need from your team
Sometimes you want to let your team figure things out via trial and error, and other times, it’s faster and better for everyone if you point out what…
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Wes Kao
11
Talking to vs about customers
Are you talking to your customers, or to fellow founders and marketers? The difference is subtle but it makes a big impact. Be clear on who you’re…
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Wes Kao
6
Playing defense: How to control the narrative if your work is being questioned
No matter how well you frame your ideas upfront, there will be times when you’ll need to address skepticism and defend your work. These are moments when…
 • 
Wes Kao
26
Sales, not logistics
That note you’re writing? It's probably a sales note in some capacity. Don’t jump straight into the logistics if your recipient isn’t sold yet.
 • 
Wes Kao
8
Wes Kao's Newsletter
Wes Kao's Newsletter
A weekly newsletter on managing up, career growth, and standing out as a high-performer. Written by an a16z-backed founder.

Wes Kao's Newsletter

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