Hi Reader,
In today's Habit Chess Newsletter, I'm sharing the best ideas from reading The First Minute: How to Start Conversations That Get Results by Chris Fenning.
I've put all the highlights into a Notion doc here if you want to save it for later.
You can also watch or listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts.
If you haven’t heard of it yet, I can’t recommend it enough.
In fact, I’m going to go as far as to say it’s one of the most giftable books I’ve read in a while, and I really think it should be required reading in schools—yes, even over some of the standard textbooks we’re told to read.
Why?
Because it gives you specific, actionable advice on how to communicate better at work.
Poor communication is one of the top reasons people don’t get promoted, especially for leadership roles.
It’s essential to improve your communication skills if you want to move up the ladder.
The way you communicate can be the difference between getting that next promotion or staying stuck where you are.
It’s not just about communication in general—it’s how to nail it in work settings, which let’s be honest, we often figure out through trial and error.
So, what’s the big takeaway?
The First Minute teaches you how to quickly set expectations and keep people’s attention, especially when they’re busy.
Let’s break down three key principles from the book that can seriously help you out in work conversations:
- Prepare your audience – Fenning talks about the importance of framing your conversation within the first 15 seconds. This means giving people enough context and direction right away so they can focus without needing to ask, "What’s going on here?"
- People are busy, so get to the point – This is where Fenning does an incredible job showing you how to summarize even the most complex topics, saving time and keeping your message clear. It’s not just about being brief; it’s about being impactful.
- Focus on actions, not problems – One of the best takeaways from the book. When you're communicating at work, make it about solving things. People find that way more helpful than simply identifying problems.
These three principles are incredibly powerful in any work environment, especially when you need to convey information quickly and clearly.
Fenning backs this up with a jaw-dropping stat:
Companies with 100 employees spend an average of 17 hours a week just clarifying communications.
That's 884 hours a year—time that could be spent actually doing the work instead of re-explaining it.
Now, you might be wondering, How do I actually put this into action?
The magic really happens when you combine two concepts: Framing and Structured Summaries.
Here’s how it works:
- Framing (15 seconds or less):
You start by framing the conversation with context, intent, and your key message. This could be as simple as, "I’m working on Project X, and I need your input on a decision we’re making."
- Structured Summary (45 seconds):
After the framing, you sum up the goal, the problem standing in the way, and the solution you’re proposing. Fenning calls this the GPS framework (Goal, Problem, Solution). With this structure, you can break down any topic, no matter how complex, in just three sentences.
What’s great about this method is that it’s not just for meetings.
You can apply it to emails, presentations, or even interviews—wherever you need to communicate effectively.
In fact, Fenning suggests framing your job interview answers with the same approach:
What was the situation?
What was the problem?
What did you do to solve it?
The impact of this strategy is huge.
It helps you get your message across with less ambiguity and more clarity, which in turn saves time and makes you look more competent.
Imagine being able to frame a conversation or summarize an entire topic in under a minute.
That’s a game changer.
But this isn’t just about being efficient in your communication—it’s about confidence.
Fenning even touches on how framing and structured summaries can help in high-stakes situations like job interviews.
When you know how to clearly express your thoughts with intention and structure, you stand out.
So, if you’re looking to communicate better at work, this book is a must-read.
It’s practical, insightful, and it’ll give you a new framework for approaching conversations.
I’m giving it out to several people in my life, and I think you should grab a copy too.
Quick Recap:
- Framing: Context + Intent + Key Message
- Structured Summary: Goal + Problem + Solution (GPS)
- Tip: The faster you can clarify the purpose and intent of a conversation, the more effective and confident you’ll appear.
Let me know your thoughts on this one!
In your corner,
Misbah Haque
