Wes Kao's Newsletter

Wes Kao's Newsletter

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15 principles for managing up
When your boss loves you, you have options. Here's how to help your manager get what they need, so you get what you want.
 • Wes Kao
How to give a senior leader feedback (without getting fired)
There’s a right and wrong way to proceed. Here’s how to increase the chances your leader listens and takes action--while reducing the chance they feel…
 • Wes Kao
Why high performers make assertions: The difference between insights, suggestions, and assertions
An insight is just a starting point. The rare, courageous thing to do is to develop an assertion, i.e. a hypothesis and point of view that answers "so…
 • Wes Kao
How to be concise
The truth behind why it’s so hard to be concise, and 9 tactics I use to tighten my communication
 • Wes Kao
How I give the right amount of context (in any situation)
Most people suck at managing up. They waste their manager's time with too much (or too little) information. Here’s how to give the right amount of…
 • Wes Kao
Take 3 minutes to delete these words and improve your writing forever
Before you hit “send,” delete these words from your writing. Your message will be stronger for it.
 • Wes Kao
CEDAF framework: How I delegate while maintaining high standards
This is for managers who want to delegate AND maintain a high bar for quality of work. Here are the 5 tactics I learned over time that made delegating…
 • Wes Kao
Rigorous thinking: No lazy thinking
The best managers teach their team how to think strategically. Here's how to a build culture of good decision-making and thoughtful debate.
 • Wes Kao
7 Phrases I use to make giving feedback easier for myself
Here are phrases I often use when sharing feedback because it makes it easier for me to speak openly and quickly, and encourages my recipient to take…
 • Wes Kao
No, I don't want to hop on a call
I do not want to hop on a call because you are too lazy to write a cogent message
 • Wes Kao
Start right before you get eaten by the bear
How to avoid backstory scope creep
 • Wes Kao
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…
 • Wes Kao
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