The right conversation, at the right moment, can change everything.

We all know people who are capable of connecting with almost anyone. They’re the ones we love talking to, who we turn to for advice, who hear what we are trying to say and make us feel seen.

What do they know about conversation that makes them so special?

Supercommunicators, Charles Duhigg argues, understand that whenever we speak, we’re actually participating in one of three conversations: practical (What’s this really about?), emotional (How do we feel?), and social (Who are we?).

If you don’t know what kind of conversation you’re having, connection is hard.

Skilled communicators know the importance of recognizing — and then matching — each kind of conversation, and how to hear the complex emotions, subtle negotiations, and hidden beliefs that color so much of what we say and how we listen. Our experiences, our values, our emotional lives, and how we see ourselves, and others, shape every discussion, from who will pick up the kids to how we want to be treated at work.

With his trademark clarity and storytelling, Duhigg shows readers how to recognize these three conversations — and teaches us the skills we need to navigate them more successfully.

Communication is a superpower. By bringing readers into jury deliberations and fraught CIA recruitments, into Netflix’s company-wide conversations about equity and the writers’ room of The Big Bang Theory, we learn why some people are able to make themselves heard — and to hear others — so clearly. We learn how to identify and leverage the hidden layers that lurk beneath every conversation.

In the end, we learn a simple but powerful lesson: With the right tools, we can connect with anyone.

40 multiple choice questions.

This is an open-book exam.

Unlimited retakes.

Activity Type: 741 - Prior Approved Enduring Activity

Activity Number: 186797

3.1.1 Assesses the communication needs of individuals, groups and populations to provide effective communication.

3.1.2 Identifies and addresses barriers to effective communication.

3.1.3 Tailors messages and communication methods to meet the needs of target audiences.

3.1.5 Evaluates the effectiveness of communication methods used to ensure understanding of presented information.

3.2.1 Observes non-verbal and social cues and responds appropriately.

3.2.2 Delivers information and opinions in a respectful and professional manner.

Duhigg, C. (2024). Supercommunicators: How to unlock the secret language of connection. New York, Random House.