Coaching for Leaders

400: How to Reclaim Conversation, with Cal Newport

Listen Later
Cal Newport: Digital Minimalism

Cal Newport is a computer science professor at Georgetown University who studies the theory of distributed systems. In addition to his academic work, he writes about the intersection of technology and culture. He’s the author of six books including Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World and Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World.

Key Points
  • The human brain is very sophisticated in how it navigates social dynamics using voice and visual cues. Digital interactions bypass the brain’s ability to see these cues.
  • Social media interactions might make you think you’re being social, but you can still lonely because your brain doesn’t count these interactions the same as person-to-person interactions.
  • Digital interactions are not bad, but they can crowd out more important real-world interactions.
  • Make sure tech is serving the things that are important in your life, rather than just using it as an escape from your life.
  • Small steps tend not to work when transitioning to digital minimalism. A better way is to take a 30-day break from consuming digital content and then rebuild your digital life from scratch.
    • Resources Mentioned
    • Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World* by Cal Newport
    • Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age* by Sherry Turkle
    • Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other* by Sherry Turkle
      • Book Notes

      Download my highlights from Digital Minimalism in PDF format (free membership required).

      Related Episodes
      • How to Make Deep Work Happen, with Cal Newport (episode 233)
      • The Power of Solitude, with Mike Erwin (episode 308)
      • Have Conversations That Matter, with Celeste Headlee (episode 344)
      • How to Create Meaningful Gatherings, with Priya Parker (episode 395)
        • Discover More

        Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store
        Coaching for LeadersBy Dave Stachowiak
        • 4.8
        • 4.8
        • 4.8
        • 4.8
        • 4.8

        4.8

        1,393 ratings

        More shows like Coaching for Leaders

        View all
        The Look & Sound of Leadership by Essential Communications - Tom Henschel

        The Look & Sound of Leadership

        1,163 Listeners

        The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk by Ryan Hawk

        The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

        1,345 Listeners

        Teaching in Higher Ed by Bonni Stachowiak

        Teaching in Higher Ed

        374 Listeners

        HBR IdeaCast by Harvard Business Review

        HBR IdeaCast

        179 Listeners

        Negotiate Anything by Kwame Christian Esq., M.A.

        Negotiate Anything

        728 Listeners

        How to Be Awesome at Your Job by How to be Awesome at Your Job

        How to Be Awesome at Your Job

        1,037 Listeners

        Worklife with Adam Grant by TED

        Worklife with Adam Grant

        9,135 Listeners

        Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style by Laura Camacho

        Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

        95 Listeners

        Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast by John Maxwell

        Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast

        380 Listeners

        Inside the Strategy Room by McKinsey & Company

        Inside the Strategy Room

        177 Listeners

        No Bullsh!t Leadership by Martin G Moore

        No Bullsh!t Leadership

        127 Listeners

        The Anxious Achiever by Morra Aarons-Mele

        The Anxious Achiever

        574 Listeners

        Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques by Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart

        Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

        838 Listeners

        A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

        A Bit of Optimism

        2,228 Listeners

        Coaching Real Leaders by Harvard Business Review / Muriel Wilkins

        Coaching Real Leaders

        670 Listeners

        HBR On Leadership by Harvard Business Review

        HBR On Leadership

        173 Listeners