Wes Kao's Newsletter

Defensible, but not good

An idea can seem reasonable on the surface, but still not be the right decision. Ask yourself, “This is defensible. But is it good?”

Jul 22 • Wes Kao

97

7

7

In job interviews, keep your backstory short

Use the STAR method, but avoid backstory scope creep.

Jul 8 • Wes Kao

124

8

5

June 2026

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 • Wes Kao

93

9

7

[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 • Wes Kao

94

7

8

May 2026

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 • Wes Kao

90

1

5

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 • Wes Kao

108

13

6

April 2026

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

114

3

10

[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

103

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

178

19

14

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

124

13

14

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

137

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

59

2

5