#39: Don’t Just Lead — Communicate With Intention. Wes Kao Shows You How

Listen to this episode from Who We Are with Rachel Lim on Spotify. In this powerful episode, Wes Kao; co-founder of Maven and pioneer of cohort-based learning, joins us to explore what separates good leaders from great ones, and why intentional communication is at the heart of it all.We dive into everything from how to sharpen your judgment and make faster, better decisions, to why concise communication isn't just efficient, it's essential. Wes unpacks her signature concept of “avoiding negative inception” and shows how certain well-meaning phrases can actually sabotage your message and plant doubt.We also talk about how to turn worries into action, why owning your strengths is a quiet superpower, and what it looks like to challenge your own thoughts with intention. Wes shares her biggest leadership challenge to date, and how she learned to balance transparency with confidence, especially when leading through uncertainty.If you're a leader, creator, or communicator of any kind, this conversation is packed with tactical wisdom that will shift how you speak, lead, and show up.Topics we cover:The communication traps even smart leaders fall intoWhat it means to “incept negative ideas” and how to avoid itWhy saying less can help you lead more effectivelyThe underrated power of self-awareness and reframingHow to personalise your communication to truly connectTune in and learn how to lead not just with vision, but with voice.00:00 Introduction00:55 Wes Kao’s Passion for Education 02:08 Good vs Great Leadership: What Sets Them Apart?04:12 How to Sharpen Your Judgement and Make Better Decisions 08:28 The Importance of Concise Communication 10:24 Stop Incepting Negative Ideas: How to Protect Your Message14:41 Turning Your Worries Into Action 18:54 The Beauty of Owning Your Strengths 22:53 Saying ‘No’ to Unproductive Struggles 26:33 The Art of Challenging Your Own Thoughts 29:51 Wes Kao’s Biggest Leadership Challenge and Lessons Learned 31:59 Transparency vs. Confidence: Communication as Leaders 35:05 The Importance of Personalising Your Communication 36:25 Episode Closing Follow Rachel here: https://www.instagram.com/ms_rach/Follow Wes Kao here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weskaoSubscribe to her newsletter here: https://newsletter.weskao.com/