Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

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

Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of Strategic Communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, every Tuesday as he sits down with experts in the field to discuss real-world challenges. How do I send my message clearly when put on the spot? How do I write emails to get my point across? How can I easily convey complex information? How do I manage my reputation? Whether you’re giving a toast or presenting in a meeting, communication is critical to success in business and in life. Think Fast, Talk Smart provides the tools, techniques, and best practices to help you communicate more effectively. Learn more & sign up for our eNewsletter: https://fastersmarter.io

  1. 173. Rethinks: Surviving the Holidays

    5 DAYS AGO

    173. Rethinks: Surviving the Holidays

    Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Master holiday conversations. The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and, occasionally, communication challenges and as we gather with family, friends, and colleagues, effective communication becomes crucial. To help make this time more enjoyable, this special Think Fast Talk Smart “Rethinks” episode revisits favorite “recipes” from past Stanford guests along with Matt’s advice for tackling three common holiday scenarios: contributing effectively to ongoing conversations, engaging in meaningful small talk, and managing conflict with clarity and empathy. Whether it's making small talk or resolving conflicts, these strategies aim to turn holiday communication hurdles into opportunities for connection and collaboration. Episode Reference Links: Ep.169 Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count  Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:49) - Challenge 1: Inserting Your Voice into Conversations (04:04) - Expert Insights on Inserting Ideas (05:50) - Challenge 2: Mastering Small Talk (07:26) - Expert Strategies for Small Talk (09:28) - Challenge 3: Managing Holiday Conflicts (11:15) - Expert Tips for Conflict Resolution (12:52) - Conclusion

    15 min
  2. Between the Lines: In Storytelling, Simplify to Amplify - Premium Sampler

    5 DEC · BONUS

    Between the Lines: In Storytelling, Simplify to Amplify - Premium Sampler

    Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Visit fastersmarter.io/premium to become a Premium subscriber. "Start with the action moment or right before it," advises Hilary Price whose one-panel comic strips offer insights far beyond humor—they’re lessons in concise storytelling that resonate with anyone seeking to communicate effectively. “Simplify and amplify,” Price advises, emphasizing the art of clarity and impact. Every stroke of her pen strips away the unnecessary, letting the essentials shine through.Creating her daily comic strip, Rhymes with Orange, Price starts with the game of “what if,” merging unexpected ideas to surprise and engage her readers. “You want to start at the action moment—or just before,” she notes, pointing out how the unsaid often speaks louder. Price extends this philosophy beyond cartoons: whether crafting a presentation, a joke, or a story, it’s essential to leave room for the audience to co-create meaning. “Don’t spoon-feed your readers,” she says. “The joy comes from not getting it, then getting it.” In this bonus episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Price joins host Matt Abrahams to explore the power of surprise, stakes, and shared experience in storytelling—reminding us that the punchline, whether in humor or communication, is where the magic happens. Episode Reference Links: Hilary PriceRhymes With OrangeEp.170 Advice From Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1Ep.171 Advice From Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2 Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:35) - What Makes a Good Story? (03:28) - Crafting a Story (04:48) - Auditioning the Characters (07:52) - Stories in Daily Life (09:40) - Visuals in Storytelling (11:27) - The Power of a Punchline (13:34) - Admired Storytellers (15:31) - Communicating with Titles (17:03) - Conclusion

    19 min
  3. 172. Bring Mindfulness to Your Communication

    3 DEC

    172. Bring Mindfulness to Your Communication

    Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Mindfulness can transform your communication and your career. When we react, our instincts and impulses are in the driver’s seat. But when we take the time to reflect, that’s when Marshall Goldsmith says we take back control of how we respond. “​​​​Before speaking at work, breathe,” Goldsmith says. “Is my comment going to improve this other human being's commitment? At home, breathe. Is my comment going to improve this relationship with someone I love? If the answer is no, why am I saying it?” As a world-renowned executive coach, speaker, and best-selling author, Goldsmith teaches how a mindful approach can change how we relate to others, to ourselves, and even to our career goals and ambitions. Through reflection, we identify our values, which we can use to live what Goldsmith calls an “earned life — when the choices, risks, and effort we make in each moment align with an overarching purpose in our lives.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Goldsmith joins host Matt Abrahams to explore practical strategies for bettering our interactions with others and ourselves, from his “feed forward” method for giving and receiving constructive critique to his "daily questions" practice, which prompts reflective self-inquiry to keep us focused on what truly matters. Episode Reference Links: Marshall GoldsmithMarshall’s Books: What Got Here Won't Get You There / Triggers Ep.138 Speak Your Truth: Why Authenticity Leads to Better Communication Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:35) - Key Communication Advice (02:17) - An Earned Life (04:14) - Transition to Leadership (05:45) - Breathe Before Speaking (07:00) - Feedforward vs. Feedback (08:00) - Managing Triggers (09:51) - Daily Success Checklist (12:29) - Using AI for Coaching (13:58) - Influencing Up Leadership (15:33) - The Final Three Questions (18:28) - Conclusion

    21 min
  4. 171. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2

    28 NOV

    171. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2

    Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Make your audience a part of the story. Great storytellers don't just relay information — they create experiences. As magicians, TikTok influencers, and stand-up comedians, these masters of engagement know that true connection happens when you make your audience a part of the story. In part two of this special series on storytelling, host Matt Abrahams explores the art of audience connection with an extraordinary lineup. For magician Alex Moffat, it’s about immersive performance. “How can I get the audience to not [just] sit there watching? They've got to be able to feel it too,” he says. As TikTok's head of creator marketing, Kudzi Chikumbu says authenticity is everything. "Be your authentic self. Show yourself in a way that other people don't." And for standup comedian Orlando Leyba, it’s about leveraging presence and responsiveness to transform a performance into a genuine conversation. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, discover how these engagement experts create stories that don't just inform or entertain — they forge genuine connections with every audience member. Episode Reference Links: Alex MoffatKudzi ChikumbuOrlando Leyba Ep.168 How Story Can Change Everything in Your CareerEp.50 Telling Good Stories: How to Use the Elements of Narrative to Keep Listeners Engaged  Connect: Premium Signup >>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:46) - Linear vs. Nonlinear Storytelling (05:12) - Tools for Engaging an Audience (08:37) - Key Ingredients of a Good Story (10:26) - Authenticity in Storytelling (11:35) - Description in Storytelling (12:02) - Positivity in Storytelling (15:35) - Engaging Through Presence (17:12) - Conclusion

    21 min
  5. 170. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1

    26 NOV

    170. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1

    Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Wisdom from the witness stand to the newsstand. The best storytellers might not call themselves storytellers at all. But from litigating in the courtroom to crafting newspaper cartoons, these experts know how to weave narratives that resonate. In part one of this special two-part series, host Matt Abrahams explores the foundations of effective storytelling with tech litigator Neel Chatterjee and syndicated cartoonist Hilary Price. Chatterjee, drawing parallels to stand-up comedy, emphasizes the critical importance of those first few lines: "We have to figure out the two to three-line statement on 'this is a case about'..." Meanwhile, Price reveals the power of restraint in storytelling. "You want to simplify and amplify," she says. "I only want to put the elements that are important. Never spoon-feed your reader." In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, nontraditional storytelling masters share their approach to structure, framing, and audience engagement, revealing insights that we can all use to transform our communication — whether in convincing a jury, crafting the perfect punchline, or sharing stories in everyday life. Episode Reference Links: Neel ChatterjeeHilary PriceEp.168 How Story Can Change Everything in Your CareerEp.50 Telling Good Stories: How to Use the Elements of Narrative to Keep Listeners Engaged  Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:43) - Structure in Storytelling (05:23) - The Premise and Promise (06:22) - Being Concise in Storytelling (10:18) - Visuals in Storytelling (13:21) - Conclusion

    16 min
  6. 169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count

    19 NOV

    169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count

    Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. ​​ What makes a great conversation? “Many of us dread small talk,” says Harvard Business School professor and author Alison Wood Brooks. Yet she believes these everyday exchanges are the gateway to deeper connection and opportunity. An expert in the science of conversation, Wood Brooks, teaches a popular course titled Talk and has spent years researching what makes a great conversation. "Big things often start with small talk," she notes. "It’s not about avoiding it; it’s about knowing how to use it to uncover something meaningful."In this LinkedIn Live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Wood Brooks joins host Matt Abrahams to share a practical framework for mastering small talk and making it enjoyable, even for those who loathe it. Drawing from her "topic pyramid" approach, Wood Brooks breaks down how to elevate a conversation from mundane chitchat to something memorable. “Think of it as a treasure hunt,” she suggests. “Small talk is where you start looking for golden nuggets that can lead to deeper engagement.” Episode Reference Links: Alison Wood Brooks Alison's Book: TalkEp.73 Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested than Interesting Ep.89 Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections  Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:42) - What Makes a Good Conversation? (04:01) - The Topic Pyramid (06:42) - Preparation for Small Talk (08:58) - Remembering Conversation Details (10:36) - Asking Too Many Questions (12:29) - Conversation Goals and Contexts (16:23) - Virtual vs In-Person Conversations (18:12) - The Importance of Listening (22:06) - Think Fast Talk Smart Premium (23:24) - Conclusion

    26 min
  7. Launching: Think Fast Talk Smart Premium

    14 NOV · BONUS

    Launching: Think Fast Talk Smart Premium

    Introducing our new Premium membership, designed to enhance communication and career skills with expanded content and tools. Enjoy early access to live events, AMAs (Ask Matt Anything), eQuips—Essential Quick Insight Playlists—Extended Deep Thinks episodes, and the AI Chat Matt tool. The focus is on building a global community where members can connect, share insights, and receive feedback. A portion of membership fees will support charities dedicated to developing communication skills worldwide. Register before November 21st to receive a 25% discount and join the exclusive Founders Club. Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

    3 min
  8. 168. How Story Can Change Everything in Your Career

    12 NOV

    168. How Story Can Change Everything in Your Career

    Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. Make your message memorable. “Immediately forgettable” — that’s how Matthew Dicks describes most of the business communication that he encounters. If you want to be remembered, he says, it’s time to tell stories. A veteran elementary school teacher, storytelling coach, and best-selling author, Dicks knows how the right narrative can transform mundane messages into stories that stick. In his book, Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling, he explores how to capture and hold an audience’s attention, which is particularly critical for business leaders. "When we tell a story about a product or service, the people we work with, our company, we become memorable and interesting and entertaining in a way that doesn't happen very often in business," he says. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Dicks and host Matt Abrahams discuss practical techniques for crafting compelling narratives, from setting a scene to creating suspense. “Don’t build a building. Don’t buy a machine,” he says. Becoming a better storyteller is one of the most effective ways to level up. “It’s a crazy thing for businesses,” he says. Episode Reference Links: Matthew DicksMatthew’s Book: Storyworthy Ep.50 Telling Good Stories: How to Use the Elements of Narrative to Keep Listeners EngagedEp.47 Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better Founder   Connect: Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:39) - Why Storytelling Matters in Business (03:15) - The Essence of a Good Story (05:16) - Become a Better Storyteller (06:56) - Using Suspense in Stories (09:02) - Suspense in Business Communication (11:04) - Structuring Stories Like Scenes (13:13) - Relating Stories to Life (15:40) - Homework for Life (18:20) - Storytelling Delivery (19:27) - The Final Three Questions (23:32) - Conclusion

    26 min
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4.4
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Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of Strategic Communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, every Tuesday as he sits down with experts in the field to discuss real-world challenges. How do I send my message clearly when put on the spot? How do I write emails to get my point across? How can I easily convey complex information? How do I manage my reputation? Whether you’re giving a toast or presenting in a meeting, communication is critical to success in business and in life. Think Fast, Talk Smart provides the tools, techniques, and best practices to help you communicate more effectively. Learn more & sign up for our eNewsletter: https://fastersmarter.io

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