Discoveries #9 | Smart ≠ Heard
Welcome to Edition 09 of Discoveries. Each week, I share inspiration on design, product building, and what's next.
Smart ≠ Heard
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some ridiculously talented people—engineers who ship code like wizards, designers who turn napkin doodles into magic, and product minds who’ve built things used by millions.
But here’s something I’ve noticed: for all that talent, truly great communicators are shockingly rare.
Early in my career, speaking up in a group setting didn’t come naturally. It took time to find my voice, organize my thoughts under pressure, and learn how to land a message that actually resonated.
So, I’ve been on a long, slow quest to get better. I’m still very much in the thick of it, but here are a few things I’ve picked up that have helped me (and might help you, too):
Power Posing: Dumb-Looking, Surprisingly Effective
Every year, I teach a graduate design class. And every year, I ask students to stand up and strike a Superman pose—hands on hips, chest out, channeling peak “I’ve got this.”
It’s goofy. People laugh. But here’s the science-y bit: holding this pose for two minutes can raise testosterone (the dominance hormone) by 20% and lower cortisol (the stress hormone) by the same amount. That’s a wild shift for just standing like a comic book character.
More importantly, it works. Not because you suddenly become a superhero, but because your body tricks your brain into feeling a little more grounded. And sometimes, a little is all you need.
Humor Is a Bridge (and Sometimes a Life Raft)
There’s this quote I love: “If you can get people to laugh, you can tell them anything.”
Humor breaks down walls. It disarms. It makes people actually want to listen (instead of politely checking Slack while nodding along).
Especially helpful: being able to laugh at yourself. When I screw something up and make a joke about it, the tension drops. People lean in. And weirdly, I start to relax too.
Channel Your Inner Panther
One of the weirdest and most helpful tricks I’ve tried is based on The Alter Ego Effect—a book about how high performers use fictional identities to overcome nerves and fear.
One story in the book stuck with me: a young basketball player who crushed it in practice but froze during games. So he invented an alter ego—a panther. Powerful, fluid, fearless. His physical cue? A towel. He’d wipe his face like he was putting on a mask. And boom—he wasn’t himself anymore. He was the panther.
It sounds silly. And maybe it is. But also? It works.
I’ve tried it in my own way. Before big moments, I imagine a slightly cooler, more confident version of me—the one who isn’t second-guessing every word—and I try to let him take the mic.
Spoiler: I still feel awkward sometimes. But it helps.
Practicing Spontaneity
Recently, I started using AI to practice off-the-cuff speaking.
If I’ve got a podcast or big presentation coming up, I ask ChatGPT to throw me random questions. It forces me to think clearly under pressure—without the safety net of slides or over-prepped talking points.
Bonus: I set my iPhone’s action button to launch ChatGPT with one tap. It’s like having a personal speech coach who never judges me for pacing around in my socks.
TL;DR
I don’t have this all figured out. Some days I still ramble. Some days I still sweat through my shirt. But I’ve learned that communication isn’t just a “soft skill”—it’s a core skill. And like anything else, it gets better with practice, playfulness, and a little self-compassion.
Product Inspiration
I see Bitcoin as a solid hedge against the slow fade of dollar dominance. And if each card gets its own hash? That’s a slick little touch of crypto swagger.
What I'm Reading
🔗 Good, Better, Best: A Creative Framework for Continual Betterment (By Garrett Miller)
I’ve known Garrett for 15 years—we met back in architecture school at CCA, and even then, he was a force of nature.
I’m usually juggling 3–4 books at once (and finishing none), but this one grabbed me and hasn’t let go.
His message? Don’t chase perfection—chase progress. Becoming your best self isn’t about being flawless; it’s about evolving, learning, and refining as you go.
Other Finds
Can confirm, this is a winning strategy.
Why developing good taste is so critical.
See you next week,
Blake
P.S. I'm always looking for feedback. Reply and let me know what you think! (I reply to every email)
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