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. 5 DAYS AGO

    165. Building Your Personal Brand Makes a Promise: Are You Keeping It?

    Create more meaningful communication by defining your audience. Before you even think about communicating a message, defining a brand, or developing a strategy, Seth Godin says you have to ask these questions: “Who’s it for? What’s it for? And what’s the change [you] seek to make?” As a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert, Godin understands that effective communication rests on purpose and intent. “Branding is not logoing,” he says, but a “promise” that an individual or company makes about who they are and what others can expect of them. By intentionally defining who we are and who our audience is, Godin argues we can create more meaningful connections and drive real change. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Godin and host Matt Abrahams explore how we can be more deliberate in our communication, using storytelling, clarity of messaging, and defining the impact we want to make on our audience and the world. Episode Reference Links: Seth GodinSeth’s Books: This Is Strategy / This Is MarketingEp.64 Best of: Techniques for Managing Your ReputationEp.118 Maximizing your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You Want  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 (01:35) - Defining Branding and Marketing (03:16) - The Role of Status in Podcast Growth (05:25) - Storytelling as a Powerful Tool (07:05) - The Smallest Viable Audience (08:38) - Clarity in Messaging (10:55) - Strategy Defined (14:18) - Developing Effective Strategies (16:54) - The Final Three Questions (21:01) - Conclusion

    22 min

  2. 15 OCT

    164. Best of: Using "Pre-suasion" to Influence Others

    The inner workings of social influence and persuasion. Want to change someone’s mind? First, explains Robert Cialdini, you have to change their framing. For Cialdini, the Regent's Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University, persuasion begins before we even deliver our pitch or presentation. Through what he calls “Pre-suasion,” communicators can prime audiences to receive messages in a specific way, simply by drawing their attention in specific directions.  “It involves focusing people on—putting them in mind of—those motivators before they encounter [them] in the communicator’s message,” Cialdini says, “bringing people’s focus of attention onto something that is nested in the message…before that message is delivered, so they have been readied for the concept.” In this episode, Matt Abrahams and Cialdini talk about the motivating power of FOMO, getting better advice from others, and how your next wine purchase could be influenced by what music is playing in the shop. Episode Reference Links: Robert CialdiniRobert's books: Influence / Pre-SuasionEp.11 The Science of Influence: How to Persuade Others And Hold Their AttentionEp.142 Power and Persuasion: Live Insights from Stanford Experts Original Episode: Ep.76 Change My Mind: Using “Pre-suasion” to Influence Others  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 (02:40) - Persuasion and Pre-suasion (06:01) - Priming and Framing in Pre-suasion (08:42) - Understanding Scarcity (11:32) - The Unity Principle (14:48) - Social Proof and Influence (20:08) - The Role of Language in Persuasion (23:07) - The Final Three Questions (27:33) - Conclusion

    29 min

  3. 8 OCT

    163. Is Your Audience Ignoring You? How Authenticity Creates Connection

    How acceptance and authenticity can transform all of our interactions. What’s the key to experiencing deeper connection in our communication? According to Alan Alda, it starts with acceptance — of others and ourselves. "Connecting, communicating, and clarity," Alda explains, "they're all based on hearing what the other person is really saying; letting the person be real; accepting them.” As an acclaimed actor, writer, director, and author of If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?, Alda has spent much of his career exploring how acceptance enables us to be our authentic selves, leading to better communication and truer connection. “There’s nothing more engaging than the real you,” he says. Also the founder of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, Alda strives to help scientists and health professionals communicate more effectively with the public. “Science can't do its work unless it gets funded. And it can't get funded if people don't understand what the scientists are trying to do,” he says. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Alda and host Matt Abrahams discuss how acceptance and authenticity can transform all of our interactions, from complicated science conversations to everyday communication. Episode Reference Links: Alan AldaAlan’s Book: If I Understood You, Would I have This Look on My Face? Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science Ep.82 It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First Ep.114 Communication Means Paying Attention: The Four Pillars of Active Listening  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 (01:43) - Motivation for Communication (03:43) - Avoiding Communication Pitfalls (05:59) - The Role of Clarity and Vividness (07:06) - Reflection in Communication (07:56) - Connection in Conversations (09:11) - Reframing Communication Anxiety (10:51) - Asking Meaningful Questions (11:46) - Matt’s Communication Journey (13:33) - The Art of Storytelling (16:00) - The Final Three Questions (18:07) - Conclusion

    19 min

  4. 1 OCT

    162. Unlock Career Opportunities: How to Make the Right Moves

    Being present in the moment and staying open to whatever unfolds. We all want to lead lives and careers full of joy and fulfillment. Maggie Baird certainly has, and the key, she says, is to stay open to new possibilities and “let your passion lead.” Baird is an accomplished actress, improv teacher at the Groundlings Theater, mother to music sensations Billie Eilish and Phineas, and founder of Support and Feed, a nonprofit addressing food equity and the climate crisis. Through it all, she has embodied the improv principle of "Yes, and..." — being present in the moment and staying open to whatever unfolds. “I have done many things,” she says, “but I never approached any of them as a career change. They all came out of new interests and new experiences.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Baird joins host Matt Abrahams to explore the critical role of communication in developing a career, and how improv principles can help us engage, as Baird says, “From a place of open-heartedness, appreciation, [and] collaboration.” Episode Reference Links: Support And FeedEp.118 Maximizing your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You WantEp.1 Speaking Without a Net: How to Master Impromptu CommunicationEp.9 Quick Think: How Being Present-Oriented Improves Communication 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 (01:37) - Career Transitions (02:29) - Teaching and Confidence Through Improv (04:47) - Improv as a Communication Tool (06:29) - Structure and Freedom in Improv (08:21) - Teaching with Empathy (11:18) - Advocacy in the Music Industry (14:02) - Collaboration and Positive Change (16:51) - The Final Three Questions (18:30) - Conclusion

    19 min
  5. Bonus: How to Manage Speaking Anxiety the Think Faster, Talk Smarter Way

    26 SEPT

    Bonus: How to Manage Speaking Anxiety the Think Faster, Talk Smarter Way

    Gain control over your speaking and excel in your communication. For the first anniversary of his book Think Faster, Talk Smarter, Matt Abrahams shares strategies from the first chapter, focusing on managing speaking anxiety and improving spontaneous communication. Through personal anecdotes and practical techniques, he explains how to handle unexpected questions, reframe anxiety as excitement, and use mindfulness and breathing exercises to stay calm under pressure. The episode also offers tips for managing physical symptoms of anxiety and staying mentally focused during high-stakes situations Reference Links: Link to buy book in your country: Think Faster, Talk Smarter Ep.48 Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: How to Tackle Communication Anxiety 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 (01:21) - The Onion Interview (03:03) - Speaking Up Without Freaking Out (05:31) - The ABCs of Speaking Anxiety (06:45) - Mindfulness Matters (09:03) - Reframe Anxiety as Excitement (10:27) - Cooling Down and Managing Physical Symptoms (14:16) - Taming Negative Thoughts (15:27) - The Power of Repetition (16:05) - Preparing Questions (18:30) - Rationalizing the Odds (19:33) - Conclusion Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from THINK FASTER, TALK SMARTER by Matt Abrahams, read by the author. Copyright 2023 by Matthew Abrahams LLC. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

    20 min

  6. 24 SEPT

    161. Do Your Homework: Know What to Say by Knowing Who You’re Talking To

    Know your audience and tailor the message for them. In high-stakes communication, every word counts. For Jen Psaki, that means knowing who she’s talking to — so she knows just what to say. As the former White House Press Secretary and current host of Inside with Jen Psaki on MSNBC, Psaki has discovered that communication isn’t about “saying the most words or saying them the loudest,” but about knowing your audience well enough to tailor the message just for them. “You need to think about how you're going to get your audience to listen to you,” she says. “The goal of communicating is to crack the door open so somebody wants to hear more.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Psaki and host Matt Abrahams explore her approach to strategic communication: identifying your audience and using what you know to engage with them and get them to engage with you. Episode Reference Links: Jen Psaki Jen’s Book: Say MoreEp.22 Under Pressure How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During Crisis Website / YouTube Ep.155 Can We Be Candid? How to Communicate Clearly and Directly Website / YouTube 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 (01:51) - Principles of Communication (02:52) - Skills for Effective Listening (03:35) - Engagement and Lowering Barriers (04:34) - Tailoring Communication (05:58) - Preparation and Practice for Confidence (07:51) - The Value of Feedback (10:54) - Handling Difficult Questions (13:22) - High-Stakes Negotiation (16:14) - The Final Three Questions (20:32) - Conclusion

    22 min

  7. 17 SEPT

    160. Best of: How to Communicate Your Gameplan

    Why organizational strategy can be both top-down and bottom-up. As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it, a winning strategy is the result of conversations, not commands, and that strategy can be directed from the C-suite, but it doesn’t have to be. “Lots of great strategies are discovered,” he says, “they’re discovered because the leaders were able to listen to their frontline workers or their frontline managers.” A more iterative approach, says Sørensen, helps companies adapt their strategy to an ever-changing landscape.In the latest episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sørensen joins host and lecturer Matt Abrahams to discuss how organizations can use better communication to craft better strategies. Episode Reference Links: Stanford GSB Profile: Jesper B. SørensenSørensen’s Book: Making Great StrategyOriginal Episode: Ep.71 Strategy Success: How to Communicate Your GameplanEp.103 Simple is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any AudienceEp.41 Speak Like a Founder: How Successful Entrepreneurs Communicate to Their TeamsConnect: 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 (02:22) - Defining Strategy (04:05) - Common Misconceptions about Strategy (05:51) - The Concept of a Strategy Argument (07:48) - Strategy as a Communication Tool (11:37) - The Dynamic Nature of Strategy (13:13) - Storytelling in Strategy Communication (15:39) - Propagating Strategy Through Storytelling (17:45) - The Final Three Questions (24:23) - Conclusion

    25 min

  8. 10 SEPT

    159. Earn Your Audience: You Can’t Lead If No One’s Listening

    What it takes to develop as a leader. Great leaders and great communicators aren't born, they're made. That's why John Hennessy and Tina Seelig, directors of Stanford University’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars, are working to create the great storytellers of tomorrow, today. "We decided that there was a leadership void, and that was a driving motivation to do this," says Hennessy, former Stanford president and current Alphabet chairman. The program, which he co-founded in 2016 with Stanford alum and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, equips scholars with essential leadership skills through hands-on experience and collaborative problem-solving. Seelig, executive director of the program, emphasizes that great leadership centers on effective storytelling. "No matter how compelling your invention, your idea, the thing you want to do in the world, if you can't communicate it in [an] effective way, nobody's going to listen," she says. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Hennessy, Seelig, and host Matt Abrahams explore what it takes to develop as a leader, discussing the role of communication, the power of empathy, and the centrality of storytelling. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Biography: John L Hennessy Tina Seelig: WebsiteStanford Profile: Tina Seelig  Knight-Hennessy ScholarsLeading Matters PodcastEp.155 Can We Be Candid? How to Communicate Clearly and Directly Website / YouTube Ep.35 Leading From the Hot Seat: Hot to Communicate Under Pressure Website / YouTubeConnect: 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 (01:51) - The Core of Knight-Hennessy Scholars (02:39) - Knight-Hennessy Scholars Leadership Model (04:18) - Empathy and Humility in Leadership (06:44) - Storytelling in Leadership (08:06) - Challenges in Storytelling (09:40) - Diversity in Leadership (12:04) - Feedback in Leadership Development (13:14) - Aspiring to Big Ideas in Leadership (14:00) - The Leading Matters Podcast (15:54) - The Final Three Questions (19:15) - Conclusion

    20 min
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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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