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Part II: The art of workplace finesse
Knowing when to ask for forgiveness vs permission, what you can get away with, and more
 • 
Wes Kao
2
Part I: What finesse looks like when reading people and situations
7 examples of finesse, including understanding power dynamics, when to call someone out, and more
 • 
Wes Kao
5

October 2024

When you’re pigeonholed as “great at project management”
Being good at project management is important. But ONLY being known for project management can limit your career.
 • 
Wes Kao
13
Frustrated by rejection? How to plan before you ask
“It doesn’t hurt to ask” is a lie. If you’re going to make an ask, do a bit of strategic thinking upfront.
 • 
Wes Kao
3
“What will I tell my boss?”: Why founders should understand the worldview of bureaucrats
A bureaucrat doesn’t care about good results, investing in a long-term solution, or the ROI of your product. They care about keeping their job and not…
 • 
Wes Kao
9
How to regain control of a meeting
Three scripts to steer meetings back on track (without sounding like a jerk)
 • 
Wes Kao
9
How to market a product you don’t use
Use the “Of Course exercise” to empathize with people who have different worldviews--so you can quickly relate to and appeal to them.
 • 
Wes Kao
8

September 2024

How to deliver bad news when it's not your fault
People tend to shoot the messenger. Here's how to avoid the negative halo of bad news.
 • 
Wes Kao
3
Stop learning to give feedback. Learn to receive it.
Good news: Most people are terrible at receiving feedback, so you only need to be a little better at this skill to stand out.
 • 
Wes Kao
20
Intellectual honesty
If you’re committed to seeing clearly, you can cut through BS, act with more self-awareness, and learn more quickly.
 • 
Wes Kao
5
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…
 • 
Wes Kao
17

August 2024

© 2024 Wes Kao
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