263. Smart Isn’t the Same as Clear: How to Sharpen Your Ideas

Effective communication hinges on clarity and authenticity. Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, emphasizes honesty and brevity in conveying messages, noting that audiences detect forced or unnatural communication. He adapts his communication style across different mediums, using unpolished daily videos for quick updates and polished writing for more serious content. Thompson stresses the importance of editing, advising writers to create narratives that evoke emotion and visualization. Regarding AI, Thompson acknowledges its usefulness in journalism for research and editorial tasks but cautions against using it for writing due to authenticity concerns and potential industry disruption. He values running as a form of meditation and discipline, applying lessons learned to his professional life.