Book Club Recommendations

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Robert: Angel, Jason Calacanis

Lillian: Supercommunicators, Charles Duhigg

Heidi: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey; Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton. Other books: Ru by Kim Thúy; Movie: Minari

Kanth: Postwar by Tony Judt; The Korean War by Max Hastings

Suhaib: How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa；The Literary Review of Canada

Chris: Communication Training: notes below

1. Angel by Jason Calacanis

A practical guide on angel investing, drawing from Calacanis’s experience as an early investor in Uber, Robinhood, and others. The book demystifies the startup world, offering insight into evaluating founders, building deal flow, and creating wealth through early-stage tech investing.

2. Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg

This book explores what makes some people outstanding at communication. Duhigg breaks down how “supercommunicators” use empathy, storytelling, and strategic question-asking to connect deeply and effectively in professional and personal contexts.

3. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

A memoir/self-help hybrid written in McConaughey’s unique voice. It blends wild personal stories, life lessons, and journal excerpts into a philosophy he calls “catching greenlights” — recognizing and seizing life’s opportunities with resilience and humor.

4. Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton

A graphic memoir that recounts Beaton’s experience working in Alberta’s oil sands to pay off student debt. Through stark illustrations and quiet introspection, it highlights gender dynamics, labor exploitation, and environmental cost, offering a deeply personal look at blue-collar life in Canada.

5. Postwar by Tony Judt

A monumental history of Europe from 1945 to the early 2000s. Judt offers a sweeping analysis of reconstruction, the Cold War, European integration, and the social-political transformations that shaped the modern continent.

6. The Korean War by Max Hastings

A gripping military and political history of the Korean War, emphasizing the brutality of the conflict and the human cost on all sides. Hastings combines soldier testimonies and strategic analysis, presenting it as a complex, often misunderstood Cold War confrontation.

7. How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham Thammavongsa

A short story collection centered on the lives of Lao immigrants. Each story explores themes of displacement, cultural identity, and quiet resilience, told in spare, poetic prose. The title story captures the miscommunications and alienation faced in daily life.

Other books

Ru by Kim Thúy

Ru is a semi-autobiographical novel by Vietnamese-Canadian author Kim Thúy. Written in a lyrical, fragmented style, it recounts the journey of a woman who flees Vietnam as a child during the fall of Saigon, survives life in a Malaysian refugee camp, and eventually resettles in Quebec, Canada.

1. Know Your Audience’s Communication Style (The 4 Social Styles)

Understanding who you’re talking to helps tailor your message effectively. The four classic types are:

  • Amiable: Relationship-focused, value harmony. Respond best to warmth, patience, and consensus.
  • Analytical: Data-driven, precise, detail-oriented. Value logic, clear evidence, and structure.
  • Driver: Results-focused, decisive, action-oriented. Prefer brevity, directness, and goal alignment.
  • Expressive: Enthusiastic, creative, people-driven. Respond well to big-picture thinking and personal connection.

2. Emotional State: Above the Line vs. Below the Line

  • Above the Line: Open, curious, and emotionally regulated. Able to listen, learn, and problem-solve.
  • Below the Line: Defensive, reactive, closed. In survival mode; not receptive to feedback or growth.

Before initiating key conversations, assess where the other person (and you) are emotionally. If below the line, address that first.

3. Framing Critical Conversations

  • Don’t start with “let’s have a chat” or “how’s it going” – these can trigger anxiety or defensiveness.
  • Use a clear, respectful opening: e.g., “I’d like to talk about something important — is now a good time?”
  • Avoid false warmth or vagueness that clouds the message.

4. Soft Pillow Technique

Begin with empathy or a validating statement to reduce defensiveness, without diluting the main message. E.g., “I know you’ve been juggling a lot lately…”

5. Avoid or Use the Sandwich Method with Care

  • Sandwiching (positive → critical → positive) can feel manipulative if overused or insincere.
  • If used, ensure both praise and critique are meaningful and specific.

6. Other Best Practices

  • State your intent clearly: “My goal here is to work through this with you.”
  • Ask, don’t accuse: “Help me understand…” instead of “Why did you…?”
  • Pause and listen: Let the other person process and respond. Silence is powerful.
  • Non-verbal cues matter: Be mindful of tone, body language, and facial expressions.
  • Follow up: End with clarity about next steps or mutual understanding.

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