What I'm Practicing

April 14, 2025 — What I’m Practicing

In a previous letter, I wrote broadly about the importance of practice. To recap: practice creates vulnerability, it offers a return to the why of our work, and it offers space and habits for meaningful improvement. In this letter, I want you to know specifically what I’m practicing.

Wes Kao said this in a recent podcast:

“Communication is the highest-leverage career skill: if you’re not getting the reaction you want, focus on improving how you communicate rather than blaming others for not understanding.”

Here are three ways I’m practicing better communication.

1. Writing for Clarity

More than a few times I’ve fired off a Slack only to get a confused response in return:

• What do you mean?
• Are you asking about X or Y?

Instead of valuing the speed of my response, I’m practicing the quality by providing context about “the what” and “the why,” being clear about what’s most important, and setting specific expectations about what’s needed in response.

When I practice clear communication, our work together gets easier and better, faster.

2. Listening Without Interrupting

I have a habit of interrupting and jumping in before you’ve finished your thoughts. My excitement to solve problems or offer an idea abruptly cuts off your insights and perspective.

So I’m creating a simple rule: if I cut you off mid-sentence, I owe you $1 on the spot (as long as you have Venmo). Call me out on this — or Slack me after if that’s more comfortable.

When I truly listen, I discover insights I would have completely missed otherwise.

3. Lightening Up

Intensity is a strength…except when it isn’t. From pickleball to strategy, I can get intense. Yet some of my best insights come when the stakes are lower and my intensity is dialed back.

Less pressure and more presence makes it possible to step back and be more thoughtful. To help, I’m writing morning pages — 15 minutes of unfiltered thoughts to clear my mind before diving into work. My other practice is to not react or give an answer right away. Saying “Let me think about that more” or “I’ll get back to you” is surprisingly difficult. It helps me approach conversations with more presence instead of focusing on answering in the moment.

Thoughtful answers and better decisions don’t happen instantly.

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In a 2019 post, Tyler Cowen wrote:

“Recently, one of my favorite questions to bug people with has been, ‘What is it you do to train that is comparable to a pianist practicing scales?‘”

For now, these three areas are my scales — the daily practices that are foundational to all of my work. As I learn, I welcome your feedback and would love to hear about your own practices.

Looking forward to our next conversation (where I promise to let you finish your sentences).