Wes Kao's Newsletter

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 • Wes Kao

64

1

4

[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 • Wes Kao

91

3

5

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 • Wes Kao

142

17

11

March 2026

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 • Wes Kao

115

12

13

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 • Wes Kao

120

3

11

February 2026

[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 • Wes Kao

55

1

5

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 • Wes Kao

103

9

7

January 2026

Avoid “ASAP” and other high-strung, non-specific words

Avoid vague phrases like “time-sensitive,” “urgent,” “ASAP,” and “priority.” They can increase stress levels for everyone unnecessarily.

Jan 21 • Wes Kao

112

9

9

December 2025

My most popular posts of 2025

Become a sharper operator, communicate more clearly, improve how you manage up, and more.

Dec 17, 2025 • Wes Kao

45

2

2

Wes Kao's Newsletter Holiday Gift Guide 2025

Gift ideas for the operators, leaders, and builders in your life (including yourself)

Dec 3, 2025 • Wes Kao

26

4

1

November 2025

[Fundamentals] Strategy, not self-expression

Aim for one goal: behavior change. Sweet, sweet behavior change. Everything else you might want to say? Keep it to yourself.

Nov 12, 2025 • Wes Kao

66

1

5

October 2025

How to get faster approval from your manager

Managing up 101: You can’t force your manager to approve your work. But you can embrace that it’s your responsibility to get better at securing their…

Oct 29, 2025 • Wes Kao

88

4

5