Supercommunicators: How To Unlock the Secret Language of Connection

In a time when people are becoming increasingly isolated from one another—whether due to social media, the COVID pandemic, or cultural and political divisiveness—creating meaningful relationships through effective communication becomes a means of revitalizing social life. Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Duhigg (The Power of Habit) has created a roadmap to better connection through the practice of supercommunication. He explains that discerning whether a discussion is based on decision making, emotions, or social contexts can assist people in having more meaningful conversations and work through conflict, especially when they have differing points of views, feelings, or backgrounds. Regardless of the type of conversation one has, he emphasizes the importance of trying to connect to people through careful listening, being empathetic, and asking others what they need. He shares insights into these techniques by drawing from examples of successful supercommunicators, people hailing from a myriad of professions, such as NASA psychologists, CIA spies, surgeons, and television writers.