Wes Kao's Newsletter

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Observe, assert, and validate (OAV)

Don’t only ask, "How can I be helpful?" Try to develop a point of view and assert what to do.

Oct 15, 2025 • Wes Kao

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Reverse impostor syndrome

Imposter syndrome is other people thinking you’re good, but you don’t believe it yourself. Reverse imposter syndrome is knowing you are good, but others…

Oct 1, 2025 • Wes Kao

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September 2025

[Fundamentals] Start right before you get eaten by the bear

Fundamentals is a new series that highlights my core concepts in communication, leadership, and influence that I personally keep coming back to.

Sep 17, 2025 • Wes Kao

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Why "'no' is a complete sentence" is dangerous advice

If your colleague asks you to do a reasonable request that’s part of your job, and you simply turn say “no”... You are the jerk.

Sep 3, 2025 • Wes Kao

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August 2025

Stop trying to change your manager

Because you don’t have the leverage to turn your manager into a different person. Here's what to do instead.

Aug 20, 2025 • Wes Kao

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How to be an empathetic manager (without becoming a therapist)

You don't need to absorb everyone’s frustrations. Here’s how to listen to grievances without having folks dump their frustrations onto you.

Aug 6, 2025 • Wes Kao

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