The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
Why do your conversations keep going wrong? Harvard behavioural scientist Professor Alison Wood Brooks reveals the SECRETS to better communication, real connection, negotiation skills and difficult conversations!
Professor Alison Wood Brooks is a behavioural scientist with 2 decades of experience in conversational science. She teaches a Harvard course on negotiation and communication, and is the bestselling author of ‘Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves’.
She explains:
◼️The ONE word that transforms anxiety into peak performance
◼️The TALK framework for mastering any conversation
◼️Why being “too polite” is secretly destroying your relationships
◼️Why 99% of apologies fail, and the exact formula that works
◼️The question technique that creates connection with anyone
(00:00) Intro
(02:34) People Need This to Communicate Well
(04:38) Giving Wrong Impressions
(06:23) Being a Better Speaker and Group Conversations
(11:31) Experimenting With Communication Skills With My Identical Twin
(12:40) The Science on How to Reframe Anxiety
(18:47) If You’re Nervous, You’re More Likely to Make a Bad Decision
(20:16) Asking for a Salary Raise
(24:39) The Conversational Compass
(32:45) How People Should Really Apologize and When It’s Too Much
(37:31) The Validation Trick in Any Dispute
(42:00) Don’t Do This When You Disagree
(46:19) Stop Doing This During Disagreements
(48:07) How to Be Liked
(50:02) The T-A-L-K Framework
(51:47) Easy Ways to Have More Casual Conversations
(55:13) If You Want to Be Liked, Don’t Do This
(59:23) The Importance of Asking in Conversations and Dates
(01:03:27) Never Do This on a Date
(01:07:26) The Meeting Mistake You Shouldn’t Make
(01:09:27) Poor Communication Skills May Be Blocking Your Career Growth
(01:12:02) Ads
(01:12:53) The Importance of Kindness in Any Conversation
(01:17:20) When to Incorporate Levity
(01:23:55) The Science Behind Introverts and Extroverts — Is It Real?
(01:27:17) Your Contribution Score in a Conversation
(01:41:59) Ads
(01:43:56) The Male Crisis: Ask These Questions to Make Friends
(01:52:57) 10 Questions to Be Liked
(01:56:42) How to Persuade People and Be a Better Salesperson
(01:58:47) People Confuse Agreement With Listening
(02:09:21) This Is the Only Conversation That Feels Real
(02:14:58) What Happens When Replacing Myself With AI
(02:19:23) Show Your Real Self at Work: Yes or No?
(02:25:14) How to Teach Your Kids to Speak
Follow Alison:
Instagram – https://bit.ly/3YoQOc4
Website – https://bit.ly/4aH172A
TalkStudios – https://bit.ly/3MzbXxF
You can purchase Alison’s book, ‘Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves’, here: https://amzn.to/48Nl8Sv
The Diary Of A CEO:
◼️Join DOAC circle here – https://doaccircle.com/
◼️Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here – https://smarturl.it/DOACbook
◼️The 1% Diary is back – limited time only: https://bit.ly/3YFbJbt
◼️The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb
◼️Get email updates – https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt
◼️Follow Steven – https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb
Sponsors:
Wispr – https://wisprflow.ai/DOAC
Shopify – https://shopify.com/bartlett
SimpliSafe – https://simplisafe.com/DOAC to save 50% on a SimpliSafe home security system.
Ketone – https://ketone.com/STEVEN for 30% off your subscription order

Dr K (Bad Habit Addiction Doctor): The Truth About Dopamine, Addiction, Pornography & Masturbation
World-Renowned Addiction Expert Dr. K reveals the SHOCKING truth about masturbation, pornography, dopamine burnout, incels, and why 60% of men under 30 are single. Dr K from Healthy Gamer! Dr. Alok Kanojia (aka Dr. K)…
Most Replayed Moment: The Truth Behind “Healthy” Food Labels – Dr. Chris Van Tulleken
In this Moments episode, Dr. Chris Van Tulleken (the Junk Food Doctor) delves into the complexities of foods labelled as “healthy.” He explores how certain food products, from diet sodas to breakfast cereals, might not…
World Expert on Fatherhood & Love: The Truth About Monogamy, Breakups & The Science of Love! Dr. Anna Machin
World Renowned Fatherhood Expert Dr Anna Machin reveals the #1 lie about monogamy, how cheating hijacks human brains, and the evolutionary truth behind love, trust, and fatherhood! Dr Anna Machin is an evolutionary anthropologist and…
Kevin O’Leary: This Daily Habit Is Keeping You Poor. Here’s What You Should Do Every Time You Get Paid!
Is this 1 money habit secretly keeping you poor? Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary reveals the brutal truth about wealth, business, and getting rich, and what you must change to build real financial freedom. Kevin O’Leary…
Most Replayed Moment: Wim Hof’s Simple Breathing Technique For Focus, Tranquility and Resilience
In today’s Moments episode, Wim Hof reveals the breathwork exercise that helped him reprogram his mind, boost immunity, and help others around the world to do the same. He breaks down the science behind the…
Tom Aspinall: The UFC Doesn’t Want You To Know This! Jon Jones Wasn’t Living Like An Athlete!
BREAKING: Dana White announces Jon Jones retirement…but UFC Heavyweight star Tom Aspinall still wants a title fight. He reveals the truth about Jon Jones’ retirement, and breaks down the champion mindset, fear, and mental toughness…
CEO Diaries: Bozoma Saint John on Growing Through Grief & Leading with Purpose
Bozoma Saint John’s story isn’t just about leading the world’s biggest brands – it’s about surviving unimaginable loss, breaking every “career rule,” and redefining what success really means. In today’s episode of CEO Diaries, the…
Buddhist Teacher: No One Is Talking About This Hidden Epidemic! The Western Lie Behind Depression and Anxiety
From 6 years in isolation to sounding the alarm, Buddhist Gelong Thubten reveals the hidden epidemic no one is talking about with Stress, Depression, Buddhism, Meditation, Mental Health and more. Thubten is one of the…
Most Replayed Moment: Instantly Calm Your Anxiety – Dr. Martha Beck
Dr. Martha Beck explains how the right hemisphere of the brain, through creative thinking, can be a sanctuary for those struggling with anxiety. While today’s fast-paced world often frames creative expression as unproductive, learning to…
THE FEMINISM DEBATE: Is Feminism Betraying Women? The Hidden Risk Of Casual Sex!
Has feminism betrayed the very women it promised to empower? Deborah France-White, Louise Perry, and Erica Komisar go head-to-head on the hidden costs of sexual freedom. Deborah Frances-White is a bestselling author and host of…