Entry point: /faion-net — invoke this skill for automatic routing to the appropriate domain.
Faion Communicator
Communication: User's language.
Universal communication skill for effective dialogue with stakeholders, customers, team members, and decision-makers. From requirements gathering to selling ideas.
Decision Tree: Quick Routing
| If you need... |
Use |
File |
| Customer validation |
The Mom Test |
mom-test |
| Requirements gathering |
Stakeholder Communication |
stakeholder-communication |
| Deep understanding |
Active Listening (RASA) |
active-listening |
| Resolve conflict |
Thomas-Kilmann, NVC |
conflict-resolution |
| Give feedback |
SBI, Radical Candor |
feedback |
| Receive feedback |
Listen, clarify, thank |
feedback |
| Pitch to executives |
Pyramid Principle, SCQA |
selling-ideas + business-storytelling |
| Technical persuasion |
Evidence-based |
selling-ideas |
| Sales context |
SPIN Selling, Challenger |
selling-ideas |
| Performance issues |
Crucial Conversations |
difficult-conversations |
| Deliver bad news |
Direct, empathetic |
difficult-conversations |
| Negotiate contract |
BATNA, Principled |
negotiation |
| Generate ideas (group) |
Classic, 6-3-5, Round Robin |
brainstorming-ideation |
| Generate ideas (solo) |
SCAMPER, Mind Mapping |
brainstorming-ideation |
By stakeholder:
- Customers → mom-test | Executives → selling-ideas + business-storytelling
- Team → feedback | Peers → conflict-resolution | External → stakeholder-communication
Common sequences:
- Customer discovery: mom-test → active-listening → stakeholder-communication
- Difficult feedback: feedback → difficult-conversations → active-listening
- Proposal/pitch: selling-ideas → business-storytelling → negotiation
Overview
This skill provides communication methodologies for:
- Stakeholder Dialogue - Interview, brainstorm, clarify, validate
- Customer Validation - The Mom Test, discovery interviews
- Conflict Resolution - Thomas-Kilmann modes, NVC
- Feedback - SBI, Radical Candor, receiving feedback
- Selling Ideas - SPIN, Challenger, pitching techniques
- Storytelling - Pyramid Principle, SCQA, Pixar
- Negotiation - Principled negotiation, persuasion
- Difficult Conversations - Crucial conversations framework
- Brainstorming - SCAMPER, Mind Mapping, 6-3-5, facilitation
Context Discovery
Auto-Investigation
| Signal |
Check For |
Why |
| Meeting notes |
Interview transcripts, stakeholder feedback |
Communication patterns |
| User research docs |
Customer validation notes |
Mom Test usage |
| Pitch decks |
Presentation structure (SCQA, Pyramid) |
Storytelling approach |
| Feedback documents |
SBI format, 1-on-1 notes |
Feedback culture |
| Conflict logs |
Issue resolution patterns |
Conflict style |
Discovery Questions
questions:
- question: "What's your communication goal?"
options:
- label: "Gather requirements"
description: "Use active-listening, stakeholder-communication"
- label: "Validate business idea"
description: "Use mom-test"
- label: "Resolve conflict"
description: "Use conflict-resolution, difficult-conversations"
- label: "Give/receive feedback"
description: "Use feedback (SBI, Radical Candor)"
- label: "Pitch or persuade"
description: "Use selling-ideas, business-storytelling"
- question: "Who is your audience?"
options:
- label: "Customers/users"
description: "Favor mom-test, active-listening"
- label: "Executives/stakeholders"
description: "Favor selling-ideas, business-storytelling"
- label: "Team members"
description: "Favor feedback, conflict-resolution"
- label: "External partners"
description: "Favor negotiation, stakeholder-communication"
- question: "What's the context?"
options:
- label: "Discovery/research phase"
description: "Use mom-test, active-listening"
- label: "Decision-making"
description: "Use selling-ideas, negotiation"
- label: "Performance/sensitive topic"
description: "Use difficult-conversations, feedback"
- label: "Idea generation"
description: "Use brainstorming-ideation"
When to Use
| Situation |
Methodology |
| Gathering requirements |
active-listening, stakeholder-communication |
| Validating business ideas |
mom-test |
| Team disagreements |
conflict-resolution |
| Performance reviews |
feedback |
| Pitching to stakeholders |
selling-ideas |
| Presentations |
business-storytelling |
| Contract discussions |
negotiation |
| Sensitive topics |
difficult-conversations |
| Generating ideas |
brainstorming-ideation |
All Methodologies (10)
| Name |
Key Frameworks |
File |
| Active Listening |
RASA, Empathic Listening, Reflective |
active-listening |
| The Mom Test |
Rob Fitzpatrick's validation |
mom-test |
| Stakeholder Communication |
Interview, Brainstorm, Clarify, Validate, Socratic |
stakeholder-communication |
| Conflict Resolution |
Thomas-Kilmann, NVC |
conflict-resolution |
| Giving & Receiving Feedback |
SBI, SBII, Radical Candor, EEC |
feedback |
| Selling Ideas |
SPIN Selling, Challenger Sale, Elevator Pitch |
selling-ideas |
| Business Storytelling |
Pyramid Principle, SCQA, Pixar Framework |
business-storytelling |
| Negotiation & Persuasion |
Principled Negotiation, BATNA, Cialdini's 6 |
negotiation |
| Difficult Conversations |
Crucial Conversations, DESC Script |
difficult-conversations |
| Brainstorming & Ideation |
SCAMPER, Mind Mapping, 6-3-5, Reverse |
brainstorming-ideation |
Quick Reference
Active Listening: RASA
Receive → Appreciate → Summarize → Ask
The Mom Test: 3 Rules
- Talk about their life, not your idea
- Ask about past specifics, not future hypotheticals
- Talk less, listen more
Thomas-Kilmann: 5 Modes
Competing | Collaborating | Compromising | Avoiding | Accommodating
Radical Candor: 2 Dimensions
Care Personally + Challenge Directly = Radical Candor
SPIN: 4 Question Types
Situation → Problem → Implication → Need-Payoff
Pyramid Principle: Structure
Lead with answer → Support with arguments → Base with evidence
Brainstorming: Osborn's 4 Rules
- Defer judgment
- Go for quantity
- Encourage wild ideas
- Build on others' ideas
Integration with Faion Network
Used by Skills
| Skill |
Uses Methodologies |
| faion-business-analyst |
active-listening, stakeholder-communication, conflict-resolution, brainstorming-ideation |
| faion-product-manager |
mom-test, selling-ideas, business-storytelling, brainstorming-ideation |
| faion-project-manager |
conflict-resolution, feedback, negotiation |
| faion-researcher |
mom-test, stakeholder-communication, brainstorming-ideation |
| faion-marketing-manager |
selling-ideas, business-storytelling |
| faion-ux-ui-designer |
active-listening, stakeholder-communication, brainstorming-ideation |
Interactive Mode (faion-net)
When faion-net runs in Interactive mode, use these methodologies:
# For requirements gathering
Apply: active-listening + stakeholder-communication
# For idea validation
Apply: mom-test
# For presenting proposals
Apply: selling-ideas + business-storytelling
# For disagreements
Apply: conflict-resolution
# For idea generation
Apply: brainstorming-ideation
References
Research sources:
Faion Communicator v2.0.0
10 Methodologies | From Requirements to Negotiation
1---2name: faion-communicator3description: Communication: stakeholder dialogue, Mom Test, conflict resolution, feedback, storytelling.4---5> **Entry point:** `/faion-net` — invoke this skill for automatic routing to the appropriate domain.
6
7# Faion Communicator
8
9**Communication: User's language.**
10
11Universal communication skill for effective dialogue with stakeholders, customers, team members, and decision-makers. From requirements gathering to selling ideas.
12
13---
14
15## Decision Tree: Quick Routing
16
17| If you need... | Use | File |
18|----------------|-----|------|
19| **Customer validation** | The Mom Test | [mom-test](mom-test.md) |
20| **Requirements gathering** | Stakeholder Communication | [stakeholder-communication](stakeholder-communication.md) |
21| **Deep understanding** | Active Listening (RASA) | [active-listening](active-listening.md) |
22| **Resolve conflict** | Thomas-Kilmann, NVC | [conflict-resolution](conflict-resolution.md) |
23| **Give feedback** | SBI, Radical Candor | [feedback](feedback.md) |
24| **Receive feedback** | Listen, clarify, thank | [feedback](feedback.md) |
25| **Pitch to executives** | Pyramid Principle, SCQA | [selling-ideas](selling-ideas.md) + [business-storytelling](business-storytelling.md) |
26| **Technical persuasion** | Evidence-based | [selling-ideas](selling-ideas.md) |
27| **Sales context** | SPIN Selling, Challenger | [selling-ideas](selling-ideas.md) |
28| **Performance issues** | Crucial Conversations | [difficult-conversations](difficult-conversations.md) |
29| **Deliver bad news** | Direct, empathetic | [difficult-conversations](difficult-conversations.md) |
30| **Negotiate contract** | BATNA, Principled | [negotiation](negotiation.md) |
31| **Generate ideas (group)** | Classic, 6-3-5, Round Robin | [brainstorming-ideation](brainstorming-ideation.md) |
32| **Generate ideas (solo)** | SCAMPER, Mind Mapping | [brainstorming-ideation](brainstorming-ideation.md) |
33
34**By stakeholder:**
35- Customers → mom-test | Executives → selling-ideas + business-storytelling
36- Team → feedback | Peers → conflict-resolution | External → stakeholder-communication
37
38**Common sequences:**
39- Customer discovery: mom-test → active-listening → stakeholder-communication
40- Difficult feedback: feedback → difficult-conversations → active-listening
41- Proposal/pitch: selling-ideas → business-storytelling → negotiation
42
43---
44
45## Overview
46
47This skill provides communication methodologies for:
48- **Stakeholder Dialogue** - Interview, brainstorm, clarify, validate
49- **Customer Validation** - The Mom Test, discovery interviews
50- **Conflict Resolution** - Thomas-Kilmann modes, NVC
51- **Feedback** - SBI, Radical Candor, receiving feedback
52- **Selling Ideas** - SPIN, Challenger, pitching techniques
53- **Storytelling** - Pyramid Principle, SCQA, Pixar
54- **Negotiation** - Principled negotiation, persuasion
55- **Difficult Conversations** - Crucial conversations framework
56- **Brainstorming** - SCAMPER, Mind Mapping, 6-3-5, facilitation
57
58---
59
60## Context Discovery
61
62### Auto-Investigation
63
64| Signal | Check For | Why |
65|--------|-----------|-----|
66| Meeting notes | Interview transcripts, stakeholder feedback | Communication patterns |
67| User research docs | Customer validation notes | Mom Test usage |
68| Pitch decks | Presentation structure (SCQA, Pyramid) | Storytelling approach |
69| Feedback documents | SBI format, 1-on-1 notes | Feedback culture |
70| Conflict logs | Issue resolution patterns | Conflict style |
71
72### Discovery Questions
73
74```yaml
75questions:
76 - question: "What's your communication goal?"
77 options:
78 - label: "Gather requirements"
79 description: "Use active-listening, stakeholder-communication"
80 - label: "Validate business idea"
81 description: "Use mom-test"
82 - label: "Resolve conflict"
83 description: "Use conflict-resolution, difficult-conversations"
84 - label: "Give/receive feedback"
85 description: "Use feedback (SBI, Radical Candor)"
86 - label: "Pitch or persuade"
87 description: "Use selling-ideas, business-storytelling"
88
89 - question: "Who is your audience?"
90 options:
91 - label: "Customers/users"
92 description: "Favor mom-test, active-listening"
93 - label: "Executives/stakeholders"
94 description: "Favor selling-ideas, business-storytelling"
95 - label: "Team members"
96 description: "Favor feedback, conflict-resolution"
97 - label: "External partners"
98 description: "Favor negotiation, stakeholder-communication"
99
100 - question: "What's the context?"
101 options:
102 - label: "Discovery/research phase"
103 description: "Use mom-test, active-listening"
104 - label: "Decision-making"
105 description: "Use selling-ideas, negotiation"
106 - label: "Performance/sensitive topic"
107 description: "Use difficult-conversations, feedback"
108 - label: "Idea generation"
109 description: "Use brainstorming-ideation"
110```
111
112---
113
114## When to Use
115
116| Situation | Methodology |
117|-----------|-------------|
118| Gathering requirements | active-listening, stakeholder-communication |
119| Validating business ideas | mom-test |
120| Team disagreements | conflict-resolution |
121| Performance reviews | feedback |
122| Pitching to stakeholders | selling-ideas |
123| Presentations | business-storytelling |
124| Contract discussions | negotiation |
125| Sensitive topics | difficult-conversations |
126| Generating ideas | brainstorming-ideation |
127
128---
129
130## All Methodologies (10)
131
132| Name | Key Frameworks | File |
133|------|----------------|------|
134| Active Listening | RASA, Empathic Listening, Reflective | [active-listening](active-listening.md) |
135| The Mom Test | Rob Fitzpatrick's validation | [mom-test](mom-test.md) |
136| Stakeholder Communication | Interview, Brainstorm, Clarify, Validate, Socratic | [stakeholder-communication](stakeholder-communication.md) |
137| Conflict Resolution | Thomas-Kilmann, NVC | [conflict-resolution](conflict-resolution.md) |
138| Giving & Receiving Feedback | SBI, SBII, Radical Candor, EEC | [feedback](feedback.md) |
139| Selling Ideas | SPIN Selling, Challenger Sale, Elevator Pitch | [selling-ideas](selling-ideas.md) |
140| Business Storytelling | Pyramid Principle, SCQA, Pixar Framework | [business-storytelling](business-storytelling.md) |
141| Negotiation & Persuasion | Principled Negotiation, BATNA, Cialdini's 6 | [negotiation](negotiation.md) |
142| Difficult Conversations | Crucial Conversations, DESC Script | [difficult-conversations](difficult-conversations.md) |
143| Brainstorming & Ideation | SCAMPER, Mind Mapping, 6-3-5, Reverse | [brainstorming-ideation](brainstorming-ideation.md) |
144
145---
146
147## Quick Reference
148
149### Active Listening: RASA
150```
151Receive → Appreciate → Summarize → Ask
152```
153
154### The Mom Test: 3 Rules
1551. Talk about their life, not your idea
1562. Ask about past specifics, not future hypotheticals
1573. Talk less, listen more
158
159### Thomas-Kilmann: 5 Modes
160```
161Competing | Collaborating | Compromising | Avoiding | Accommodating
162```
163
164### Radical Candor: 2 Dimensions
165```
166Care Personally + Challenge Directly = Radical Candor
167```
168
169### SPIN: 4 Question Types
170```
171Situation → Problem → Implication → Need-Payoff
172```
173
174### Pyramid Principle: Structure
175```
176Lead with answer → Support with arguments → Base with evidence
177```
178
179### Brainstorming: Osborn's 4 Rules
1801. Defer judgment
1812. Go for quantity
1823. Encourage wild ideas
1834. Build on others' ideas
184
185---
186
187## Integration with Faion Network
188
189### Used by Skills
190
191| Skill | Uses Methodologies |
192|-------|-------------------|
193| faion-business-analyst | active-listening, stakeholder-communication, conflict-resolution, brainstorming-ideation |
194| faion-product-manager | mom-test, selling-ideas, business-storytelling, brainstorming-ideation |
195| faion-project-manager | conflict-resolution, feedback, negotiation |
196| faion-researcher | mom-test, stakeholder-communication, brainstorming-ideation |
197| faion-marketing-manager | selling-ideas, business-storytelling |
198| faion-ux-ui-designer | active-listening, stakeholder-communication, brainstorming-ideation |
199
200### Interactive Mode (faion-net)
201
202When faion-net runs in Interactive mode, use these methodologies:
203
204```python
205# For requirements gathering
206Apply: active-listening + stakeholder-communication
207
208# For idea validation
209Apply: mom-test
210
211# For presenting proposals
212Apply: selling-ideas + business-storytelling
213
214# For disagreements
215Apply: conflict-resolution
216
217# For idea generation
218Apply: brainstorming-ideation
219```
220
221---
222
223## References
224
225**Research sources:**
226- [The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick](https://tianpan.co/blog/2025-04-29-the-mom-test)
227- [Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Model](https://www.mtdtraining.com/blog/thomas-kilmann-conflict-management-model.htm)
228- [SBI Feedback Model](https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/closing-the-gap-between-intent-vs-impact-sbii/)
229- [Radical Candor by Kim Scott](https://www.radicalcandor.com/blog/give-feedback-playbook)
230- [SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham](https://www.gong.io/blog/spin-selling)
231- [Challenger Sale by Dixon & Adamson](https://challengerinc.com/what-is-challenger-sales-methodology/)
232- [Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto](https://productmindset.substack.com/p/2836-mckinseys-pyramid-framework)
233- [SCQA Framework](https://www.theanalystacademy.com/powerpoint-storytelling/)
234- [Pixar Storytelling Framework](https://www.causevox.com/blog/pixar-pitch-framework/)
235- [Crucial Conversations by Patterson et al.](https://cruciallearning.com/crucial-conversations-book/)
236- [SCAMPER by Bob Eberle](https://www.mindtools.com/a88wtia/scamper)
237
238---
239
240*Faion Communicator v2.0.0*
241*10 Methodologies | From Requirements to Negotiation*