Communication

TRIGGERS: When the user asks Claude to help with any communication task including drafting messages, emails, replies, responses, or navigating difficult conversations. Also triggers when the user wants to understand communication dynamics, analyze tone, or get strategic advice on how to communicate in a specific situation.

  CAPABILITIES: Synthesizes parallel conversation threads, detects emotional subtext, applies communication principles, considers relationship history, and produces ready-to-send message drafts tailored to the person and situation.
  ---

  # Communication Skill

  Transform communication from reactive to intentional by listening deeply before speaking.

  ## Core Workflow

  Every communication task follows this process:

  ```
  1. GATHER    → Collect all relevant context
  2. LISTEN    → Understand what's really happening
  3. CONSIDER  → Apply principles and psychology
  4. CRAFT     → Draft the response
  5. REFINE    → Check against objectives
  ```

  ## Step 1: Gather Context

  Before crafting any response, actively gather information:

  **From the conversation:**
  - What has the user shared about this situation?
  - Who is involved and what is their relationship to the user?
  - What's the communication channel (email, Slack, text, in-person)?

  **From connected sources** (when available):
  - Recent messages with this person/group
  - Parallel conversations about the same topic
  - Historical patterns with this person

  **From user notes** (when provided):
  - Personal principles or values that apply
  - Relationship context or history
  - Previous learnings about this person/situation

  **Ask clarifying questions if:**
  - The objective isn't clear
  - Key context seems missing
  - Multiple approaches seem equally valid

  ## Step 2: Listen Deeply

  Apply the deep listening framework. See [listening-framework.md](references/listening-framework.md).

  Process in layers:
  1. **Surface**: What was explicitly said?
  2. **Context**: What's the surrounding story?
  3. **Subtext**: What emotions and needs are beneath the words?
  4. **Patterns**: What history informs this moment?

  Key questions:
  - What does this person actually need (vs. what they're asking)?
  - What's the emotional temperature?
  - What hasn't been said that matters?
  - What parallel threads connect to this?

  ## Step 3: Consider Principles & Psychology

  Apply communication principles. See [principles.md](references/principles.md).

  Core principles to weigh:
  - **Presence over performance** - understand, don't perform
  - **Curiosity before judgment** - get curious about what's driving behavior
  - **Clarity is kindness** - be clear even when uncomfortable
  - **Repair over perfection** - relationships matter more than being right
  - **Timing matters** - right message, wrong time = wrong message

  Consider psychological dynamics. See [psychology-patterns.md](references/psychology-patterns.md).

  Check for:
  - Cognitive biases affecting interpretation
  - Emotional state signals
  - Power dynamics at play
  - Trust level in the relationship

  ## Step 4: Craft the Response

  Apply response crafting principles. See [response-crafting.md](references/response-crafting.md).

  **Pre-draft checklist:**
  - [ ] What must this message accomplish?
  - [ ] What tone fits this person and situation?
  - [ ] What obstacles might prevent this landing well?
  - [ ] What structure serves the objective?

  **Choose a structure pattern:**

  *Acknowledge-Bridge-Guide* (difficult conversations):
  1. Acknowledge their perspective genuinely
  2. Bridge to shared understanding
  3. Guide toward path forward

  *Context-Content-Call* (requests):
  1. Brief relevant context
  2. The actual content/request
  3. Clear next step

  *Observation-Impact-Request* (feedback):
  1. Specific, non-judgmental observation
  2. How it affected outcomes
  3. What you'd like instead

  **Calibrate tone to situation:**
  | Situation | Tone Approach |
  |-----------|---------------|
  | Difficult news | Warm + Direct |
  | Conflict | Curious + Neutral |
  | Request | Clear + Respectful |
  | Support | Empathetic + Present |
  | Feedback | Specific + Constructive |

  ## Step 5: Refine & Verify

  Before presenting the draft, verify:

  - [ ] Does this achieve the stated objective?
  - [ ] Does the tone match the relationship and situation?
  - [ ] Is it clear what the recipient should do/understand?
  - [ ] Does it respect the user's principles and values?
  - [ ] Is it appropriately concise?
  - [ ] Would I want to receive this message?

  ## Output Format

  When presenting a draft response:

  ```
  **Context understood:** [1-2 sentence summary of the situation]

  **Approach:** [Brief rationale for tone/structure chosen]

  **Draft:**
  ---
  [The actual message draft]
  ---

  **Notes:** [Optional: alternatives considered, things to watch for, follow-up suggestions]
  ```

  ## Handling Complex Situations

  **When parallel threads exist:**
  Synthesize them. Note where perspectives align/differ. Consider what each party knows.

  **When emotions are high:**
  Lead with acknowledgment. Don't problem-solve immediately. Create safety before substance.

  **When the relationship is strained:**
  Over-communicate intent. Avoid assumptions. Focus on repair over being right.

  **When stakes are high:**
  Take extra time. Consider unintended interpretations. When in doubt, ask the user for input.

  ## What This Skill Does NOT Do

  - Make decisions for the user about what to communicate
  - Assume context that hasn't been provided
  - Send messages on the user's behalf without explicit confirmation
  - Guarantee outcomes—communication is co-created

  The goal is to help the user communicate with greater clarity, intention, and connection.