When given work outside your scope, use "to do X, we must defer Y".

Seven elements that turn a confused request into a clear respectful message that can be refused without breaking the relationship.

You assume what others think of you — but never asked.

Use one emotion-labeling phrase that defuses tension in a hard conversation within 30 seconds.

Transform a flat presentation into a three-act story (situation—conflict—resolution) in 15 minutes of prep.

Prepare a 30-second pitch that describes what you do, for whom, and why it matters — so you never fumble at a chance meeting.

Deliver effective feedback in 3 parts (Situation—Behavior—Impact) so the other person hears you without defensiveness.

Start every email with one sentence containing the bottom line and the ask — recipients reply 3x faster.

Sort your feedback on care personally × challenge directly — sweet spot: high in both.

Give the other person five full minutes of attention with no interruption or advice, then summarize what you heard.

Repeat the last three words your speaker said with curious tone; they will continue deeper without you asking.

After hearing your partner, reflect back three sentences: content, feeling, and underlying value.

Before any reply, summarize your speaker's argument and verify with them you got it before disagreeing.

Frame your stance as: "When [behavior] I feel [feeling] because I need [value] and I request [ask]".

Write four sentences: Describe the behavior, Express the impact, Specify the change, Consequences.

In unfair criticism, agree only with the "grain of truth" without entering defense.

Write the situation in two columns: a fact a camera could record, and your interpretation.

Do not say "I know how you feel". Name the feeling with a precise word and verify it.

Paraphrase what you heard before responding — speaker confirms you heard.

Instead of "you always...", say "I feel ... when X happens".

Prep your 1-on-1 with SBI + GROW: situation, behavior, impact, then open GROW questions.

Refuse to attend or hold any meeting whose agenda did not arrive 24 hours prior, no exceptions.

For each delegation candidate, rate skill and interest — delegate where both are high.

Before any delegation, answer 7 questions in writing — send them with the handover.

After any delegated task completes, deliver feedback in Situation-Behavior-Impact format.

Specify the decision-types (not tasks) you will delegate via an explicit authority ring.

On day one, hand the new hire a list of 15 decisions they make alone without consulting you.

A 7-sentence formula that conveys a task clearly enough that the employee won't come back with "what did you mean?"

Before delegating a sensitive task, map who must know and who must agree.

Designate one weekday with zero meetings — even from the CEO.

First hour of crisis: who to inform, what to say, how.

Each stakeholder: place in quadrant (high/low power × high/low interest) — each quadrant has strategy.

Don't ask "do we need another hire?" — ask "if we started today with nobody, who'd we hire first?".

A 2×2: "Care Personally × Challenge Directly". Know which quadrant you're in with each report.

3 pillars: gravitas, communication, appearance — rate yourself and target the weakest.

2 min in a power pose before meeting/pitch = cortisol -25% + testosterone +20%.

Before any speech/pitch/meeting, define: what one sentence, if remembered a week later, means I succeeded?

In a meeting, learn to listen 80% and speak 20%. Leader's authority grows in silence, not words.

4 steps: Describe (situation), Express (impact), Specify (change), Consequences (outcomes).

In crisis, only 3 points per message. Audience can't absorb more. Repetition builds understanding.

Learn to delay your instant advice by three seconds, opening space for listening before guiding.

With teens, shared activity opens dialogue more than face-to-face sitting.

Walking side-by-side opens conversations face-to-face never does.

Use an LLM to draft an email in 30 seconds, then edit by hand for personal tone.

Replace one reused password across 30 accounts with unique long ones, stored in an encrypted manager.

In every long message you reply to, quote the specific line/question to make the thread readable.

Personal rule: no email longer than 3 sentences. Else = call or meet.

First line of email: answer/request/decision. Context after. Cuts read time 70%.

"I don't reply on WhatsApp after 10 PM". "No work calls on weekends". — Explicit, firm.

Explicitly state your expected response times (not instant) in your signature or status, protecting your time and ending "why hasn't he replied" anxiety.