Welcome back, partnership pros! Ann here, ready to supercharge your communication skills in issue 2 of Partner Science.

Veteran channel master or fresh-faced rookie? Doesn't matter. Today, we're rewiring your conversation game and diving deep into super communication.

Grab your popcorn – this is gonna be good.

Let's Talk About... Talking

Here's a shocker: most people suck at communication. But you're about to leave them in the dust.

Charles Duhigg, the brains behind Super Communicators, says conversations come in three flavors:

1. Practical: Getting stuff done (solving problems, making plans)

2. Emotional: Feeling all the feels (express and empathize)

3. Social: Figuring out where we fit in (how we relate to each other and the world)

Wake-up call: If you're not identifying which type of conversation you're in, you're already losing.

Here's the real kicker: true connection only happens when you're both speaking the same language. Imagine trying to solve a problem when your partner just wants to vent. You're in problem-solving mode, they're in emotional mode. Result? Communication train wreck.

In the channel, misreading these cues is like wearing scuba gear to a desert hike. You're prepared for something, just not the right thing.

So, how do we stop fumbling and start finessing? By becoming super communicators. Here's your crash course:

1. Ask Deep Questions (AKA: Mind Reading for Beginners)

Forget surface-level chit-chat. Dive deep. Ask "why" like a toddler on a sugar rush. Your partners' real motivations are hiding behind those corporate buzzwords. Find them.

Why it matters: Deep questions reveal values, goals, and pain points you never knew existed. It's like finding the cheat codes to your partnership.

Example: Instead of "How's Q2 looking?", try “What’s stressing the hell out of you this quarter?” Or “How are you and your team feeling about the pipeline and close rate?” Watch jaws drop.

2. Taking Turns (It's Not a Monologue, Folks)

Communication is ping pong, not a one-man band. If you're doing all the talking, you're doing it wrong. Duhigg emphasizes that the back-and-forth is where the magic happens. It's about creating a dialogue, not delivering a speech.

Why it matters: When you let your partner take the lead, you're not just being polite. You're gathering intel, building trust, and positioning yourself as a collaborator, not just another vendor.

Pro move: Start your next partner meeting with "Before we dive in, what's the most pressing issue on your plate right now?" Then zip it and take notes. You'll be amazed at what you learn when you're not busy talking.

3. Loop de Loop (Show You're Not Just Waiting for Your Turn to Speak)

Hearing is passive. Listening is an art. Duhigg calls this "looping for understanding," but let's be real – it's about proving you give a damn. Repeat back what you heard in your own words. It's not parroting; it's showing you're invested in getting it right.

Why it matters: This technique does double duty. It ensures you actually understand (no more costly miscommunications), and it makes your partner feel heard. Win-win.

Try this: "So what I'm hearing is [insert their point here]. Did I get that right, or am I way off base?"

Here’s your communication cheat code: Helped, Hugged, or Heard.

Crack this code with anyone–partner, boss, kid, or barista, and see how quickly your relationship improves. It's not rocket science, it's human science.

Crave the full blueprint? Grab Duhigg's "Super Communicators." It's brain fuel.

Time-starved? The Productivity Game boiled it down to just 9 minutes on YouTube.

AI Learning Lab: Sharpen Your Dull Conversations

Feeling overwhelmed by all this super communication talk? Don't worry, I've got you covered. Pop these prompts into your favorite AI tool (like ChatGPT or Claude) to get started. Remember, these are just starting points – add your own flair to make them work in your partnerships.

Prompt

1. Generate 5 deep, open-ended questions I can ask my channel partner during our next quarterly review to uncover their true motivations and challenges.

2. Create a role-play script demonstrating effective turn-taking in a conversation between a channel account manager and a partner, focusing on a new product launch.

3. Provide examples of how to 'loop for understanding' in three different scenarios: a partner expressing frustration, sharing a success story, and discussing future goals.

4. Draft an email to a channel partner that incorporates all three elements of super communication: asking deep questions, encouraging turn-taking, and looping for understanding.

5. Generate a list of 10 conversation starters that can help identify whether a partner is looking for a practical, emotional, or social conversation.

6. Create a checklist for preparing for a partner meeting that ensures I'm ready to engage in all three types of conversations: practical, emotional, and social.

Until we meet again, may your words be wise and your ears be open!