Kenneth Berger
Use Your Words, Not Your Volume
Inspired by Kenneth Berger episode
Kenneth Berger says leaders who clearly state needs get better outcomes. Kids who use words instead of tantrums do too.
Most effective leaders ask directly for what they need. No hinting. No expecting people to read minds.
Your toddler wants the blue cup, so they throw the red one. They're tired, so they hit their brother. They're frustrated, so they collapse on the floor like they've been shot. They have needs, they just express them like a hostage negotiator with a concussion.
The problem isn't that they don't know what they want. It's that their communication strategy is "scream first, maybe explain never." They're essentially tiny executives who only learned the "send angry email" part of leadership training.
Teach them the words before they need them. Practice during calm moments. "You're mad because the crackers broke? Say 'I'm frustrated.'" Not during the meltdown. That's like trying to teach someone to swim while they're drowning. You're just making everyone tired.
