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Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
  • 4.6 (13)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

One of the most essential ingredients to success in business and life is effective communication. Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges. Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships. Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our eNewsletter at fastersmarter.io.

  1. 235. Refine, Reframe, Repeat: Make Your Communication a Slam Dunk

    4 HR AGO

    235. Refine, Reframe, Repeat: Make Your Communication a Slam Dunk

    The road to mastery is paved with small improvements every day. Communicating can feel daunting at times. What does it take to find your voice in the moments that matter most? As Chiney Ogwumike says, “There is freedom on the other side of your fear.” As a professional basketball player, NBA and WNBA analyst for ESPN, and advocate for gender equality in sports, Ogwumike faces many situations where communication is critical. For her, achieving confidence in communication is the same as honing any other skill—embracing failure and refinement through repetition. “The best things in life are things you work out over long periods of time,” she says. “Great people, great communicators, anyone that's working at something, show up each and every day and just chip away, chip away, chip away, until they turn that weakness into a strength.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ogwumike and host Matt Abrahams discuss how practice and preparation can equip us for better communication, transforming fear into confidence, perfectionism into authenticity, and weakness into strength. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: Chiney OgwumikeEp.166 Why Relying on Talent Alone Will Fail You Ep.153 Listen Up, Leaders: A Record-Setting Coach’s Guide to 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 (02:20) - Communication on the Court (04:02) - Performing Under Pressure (06:11) - Lessons from Great Coaches (08:21) - Embracing Imperfection and Authenticity (11:43) - Strategies for Effective On-Air Communication (16:16) - The Final Three Questions (19:09) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Strawberry.me. Get $50 off coaching today at Strawberry.me/smart

    21 min
  2. Deep Thinks 235. Refine, Reframe, Repeat: Make Your Communication a Slam Dunk

    4 HR AGO • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Deep Thinks 235. Refine, Reframe, Repeat: Make Your Communication a Slam Dunk

    The road to mastery is paved with small improvements every day. Communicating can feel daunting at times. What does it take to find your voice in the moments that matter most? As Chiney Ogwumike ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/chiney-ogwumike/ ) says, “There is freedom on the other side of your fear.”As a professional basketball player, NBA and WNBA analyst for ESPN, and advocate for gender equality in sports, Ogwumike faces many situations where communication is critical. For her, achieving confidence in communication is the same as honing any other skill—embracing failure and refinement through repetition. “The best things in life are things you work out over long periods of time,” she says. “Great people, great communicators, anyone that's working at something, show up each and every day and just chip away, chip away, chip away, until they turn that weakness into a strength.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/ ), Ogwumike and host Matt Abrahams discuss how practice and preparation can equip us for better communication, transforming fear into confidence, perfectionism into authenticity, and weakness into strength. Episode Reference Links: * Chiney Ogwumike ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/chiney-ogwumike/ ) * Ep.166 Why Relying on Talent Alone Will Fail You ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/166-why-relying-on-talent-alone-will-fail-you/ ) * Ep.153 Listen Up, Leaders: A Record-Setting Coach’s Guide to Communication ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/153-listen-up-leaders-a-record-setting-coachs-guide-to-communication/ ) Connect: * Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/ ) * Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io * Episode Transcripts >>>Think Fast Talk Smart Website ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/235-refine-reframe-repeat-make-your-communication-a-slam-dunk/ ) * Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>>FasterSmarter.io ( http://fastersmarter.io/ ) * Think Fast Talk Smart >>>LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-fast-talk-smart/ ),Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/ ), YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6caGRBUYZCmgDGM2RK6mxKB9jG_ccmm3 ) * Matt Abrahams >>>LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/ ) Chapters:

    28 min
  3. 234. Need to Know: Lead With Transparency, Character, and Silence

    7 OCT

    234. Need to Know: Lead With Transparency, Character, and Silence

    When it comes to leading a team, there’s no such thing as too much information. Good leadership is about good communication. And for General Stanley McChrystal, that means creating a culture of free-flowing information: “The goal is to have everyone know everything all the time,” he says. McChrystal is a retired four-star general, former commander of US and international forces in Afghanistan, and a renowned leadership expert. In his experience building cohesive teams in complex environments, he’s discovered that successful teams are built on a “shared consciousness [where] all have a common contextual understanding of what the situation is.” The key to creating that kind of culture, he says, is radical transparency — from leaders and subordinates alike. Whatever your position, “You are responsible for informing other people of things that they need to know,” he says. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McChrystal and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to build shared consciousness within teams, how to communicate across cultural divides, and how to lead with clarity, context, and character. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: General Stanley McChrystalGeneral McChrystal’s Books: On Character / Team of Teams155. Can We Be Candid? How to Communicate Clearly and Directly161. Do Your Homework: Know What to Say by Knowing Who You’re Talking To   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 (02:25) - Building Shared Consciousness (06:35) - Leading Across Differences (08:15) - Delivering Difficult News (10:40) - Communicating in a Virtual World (16:39) - Character as an Iterative Practice (18:49) - The Final Three Questions (23:41) - Conclusion  ********This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

    25 min
  4. Deep Thinks 234. Need to Know: Lead With Transparency, Character, and Silence

    7 OCT • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Deep Thinks 234. Need to Know: Lead With Transparency, Character, and Silence

    When it comes to leading a team, there’s no such thing as too much information. Good leadership is about good communication. And for General Stanley McChrystal ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/general-stanley-mcch/ ), that means creating a culture of free-flowing information: “The goal is to have everyone know everything all the time,” he says.McChrystal is a retired four-star general, former commander of US and international forces in Afghanistan, and a renowned leadership expert. In his experience building cohesive teams in complex environments, he’s discovered that successful teams are built on a “shared consciousness [where] all have a common contextual understanding of what the situation is.” The key to creating that kind of culture, he says, is radical transparency — from leaders and subordinates alike. Whatever your position, “You are responsible for informing other people of things that they need to know,” he says.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/ ), McChrystal and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to build shared consciousness within teams, how to communicate across cultural divides, and how to lead with clarity, context, and character. Episode Reference Links: * General Stanley McChrystal ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/general-stanley-mcch/ ) * General McChrystal’s Books: On Character ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/on-character ) / Team of Teams ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/team-of-teams ) * 155. Can We Be Candid? How to Communicate Clearly and Directly ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/155-can-we-be-candid-how-to-communicate-clearly-and-directly/ ) * 161. Do Your Homework: Know What to Say by Knowing Who You’re Talking To ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/161-do-your-homework-know-what-to-say-by-knowing-who-youre-talking-to/ ) Connect: * Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/ ) * Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io * Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/ ) * Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>>FasterSmarter.io ( http://fastersmarter.io/ ) * Think Fast Talk Smart >>>LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-fast-talk-smart/ ),Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/ ), YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6caGRBUYZCmgDGM2RK6mxKB9jG_ccmm3 ) * Matt Abrahams >>>LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/ ) Chapters:

    27 min
  5. 233. Tech Tools: Write with Confidence and Impact

    2 OCT

    233. Tech Tools: Write with Confidence and Impact

    Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick. Clarity is the cornerstone of great communication—but turning your thoughts into words isn’t always simple. That’s why Grammarly exists: to help you express yourself with confidence and precision, no matter the context. For over a decade, Grammarly has helped millions of people improve their writing, from everyday emails to high-stakes professional communications. In this episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools miniseries, host Matt Abrahams talks with Grammarly co-founder Max Lytvyn about the origins of the tool, how AI is shaping the future of writing, and why starting with your goal is the key to effective communication. In addition to insight-packed discussions, this miniseries explores innovative tools that enhance the way we communicate and connect. Whether you want to make your presentations more memorable, craft stories that stick, or connect with your audience on a deeper level, these episodes will help you communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and impact. Episode Reference Links: Max Lytvyn Ep.227 Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation Ep.230 Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage  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 (01:14) - The Origins of Grammarly (02:50) - Grammarly Elevator Structure (04:54) - Lessons on Improving Writing (07:11) - Favorite Communicator (08:08) - Communication Hack or Tool (11:02) - Conclusion *******Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Try Prezi today and get 25% off exclusively at prezi.com/thinkfast.

    12 min
  6. 232. Pause, Don’t Panic: Finding Calm in High-Stakes Moments

    29 SEPT

    232. Pause, Don’t Panic: Finding Calm in High-Stakes Moments

    To connect with others, you have to get out of your own head. Whether presenting to millions on live television or talking to just one person, Dan Harris knows that the quality of every interaction depends on the presence you bring to it. Harris is a former national news anchor for ABC News and is now the host of the 10% Happier podcast and author of 10% Happier and Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics. As he knows from experience, there’s power in “Waking up to something fundamental, that the mind is out of control, and you don't want to be owned by it.” How do we break the pattern of being controlled by our thoughts? Mindfulness and self-awareness, he says, put “distance” between us and our “thoughts and urges and emotions,” enabling us to connect with ourselves and others with greater consciousness and clarity. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Harris and host Matt Abrahams discuss how mindfulness can transform our communication, sharing strategies for deeper listening, responding versus reacting, and reflecting what others say back to them. “Relationships are the most important aspect of your happiness,” Harris says. The quality of those connections goes up when “you’re “less stuck in your own head.” Episode Reference Links: Dan HarrisDan’s Books: 10% Happier / Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics Ep.179 Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing Ep.180 Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing Ep.181 Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing Ep.182 Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing   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 (02:12) - On-Air Panic Attack (03:20) - Managing Communication Anxiety (04:22) - Nervousness Before Live Audiences (06:09) - Meditation Misconceptions (09:57) - Responding vs. Reacting (12:28) - Mindfulness & Productivity (15:32) - Lessons from Interviewing (17:40) - The Final Three Question (25:35) - Conclusion ********Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Strawberry.me. Get $50 off coaching today at Strawberry.me/smart

    27 min
  7. 231. Secret Signals: Why We Rarely Say Exactly What We Mean

    23 SEPT

    231. Secret Signals: Why We Rarely Say Exactly What We Mean

    Why what isn’t said can communicate more than what is spoken. We often speak in hints and half-truths, not because we can’t be direct, but because subtlety protects our relationships. “An awful lot of the time, we don’t just blurt out what we mean,” says Steven Pinker. “We hint, we wink, we beat around the bush — counting on our listener to read between the lines, connect the dots, catch our drift.”Pinker is the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, a celebrated linguist and cognitive scientist, and the author of twelve influential books. His latest, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life, explores how our shared understanding of awareness — what Steven refers to as common knowledge — and the way we signal it, governs everything from friendships to authority to negotiations. “Common knowledge is what ratifies or annuls social relationships, and that's why blurting something out that contradicts the assumptions of the relationship can blow everything up and be deeply awkward.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Pinker joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss why humans lean on innuendo, euphemism, and strategic ambiguity. They examine how culture and context shape what we hear, why our social fabric depends on more than just literal meaning, and offer practical ways to refine our communication by paying attention not just to what we say, but to what others know we know. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: Steven PinkerSteven’s Book: When Everyone Knows That Everyone KnowsEp.91 Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective CommunicationEp.225 Speaking Fluent Internet: How Algorithms Are Changing the Way We Speak   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 (02:18) - Why We Speak Indirectly (06:34) - The Role of Context (10:30) - Cross-Cultural Perspectives (11:46) - Hypocrisy as Social Glue (13:38) - Clarity, Conciseness, & Grace (17:02) - Metaphors We Live By (20:05) - The Final Three Questions (24:01) - Conclusion *****Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

    26 min
  8. Deep Thinks 231. Secret Signals: Why We Rarely Say Exactly What We Mean

    23 SEPT • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Deep Thinks 231. Secret Signals: Why We Rarely Say Exactly What We Mean

    Why what isn’t said can communicate more than what is spoken. We often speak in hints and half-truths, not because we can’t be direct, but because subtlety protects our relationships. “An awful lot of the time, we don’t just blurt out what we mean,” says Steven Pinker ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/steven-pinker/ ). “We hint, we wink, we beat around the bush — counting on our listener to read between the lines, connect the dots, catch our drift.” Pinker is the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, a celebrated linguist and cognitive scientist, and the author of twelve influential books. His latest, When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life ( http://fastersmarter.io/when-everyone-knows ), explores how our shared understanding of awareness — what Steven refers to as common knowledge — and the way we signal it, governs everything from friendships to authority to negotiations. “Common knowledge is what ratifies or annuls social relationships, and that's why blurting something out that contradicts the assumptions of the relationship can blow everything up and be deeply awkward.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/ ), Pinker joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss why humans lean on innuendo, euphemism, and strategic ambiguity. They examine how culture and context shape what we hear, why our social fabric depends on more than just literal meaning, and offer practical ways to refine our communication by paying attention not just to what we say, but to what others know we know. Episode Reference Links: * Steven Pinker ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/steven-pinker/ ) * Steven’s Book: When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows ( http://fastersmarter.io/when-everyone-knows ) * Ep.91 Um, Like, So: How Filler Words Can Create More Connected, Effective Communication ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/91-um-like-so-how-filler-words-can-create-more-connected-effective-communication/ ) * Ep.225 Speaking Fluent Internet: How Algorithms Are Changing the Way We Speak ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/225-speaking-fluent-internet-how-algorithms-are-changing-the-way-we-speak/ ) Connect: * Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/ ) * Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io * Episode Transcripts >>>Think Fast Talk Smart Website ( https://www.fastersmarter.io/ ) * Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>>FasterSmarter.io ( http://fastersmarter.io/ ) * Think Fast Talk Smart >>>LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-fast-talk-smart/ ),Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/ ), YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6caGRBUYZCmgDGM2RK6mxKB9jG_ccmm3 ) * Matt Abrahams >>>LinkedIn ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/ ) Chapters:

    31 min
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4.6
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

One of the most essential ingredients to success in business and life is effective communication. Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges. Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships. Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our eNewsletter at fastersmarter.io.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    253
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Think Fast Talk Smart LLC
  • Show Website
    Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
  • Provider

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