Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
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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. 302. Master This: How to Learn Like the Experts Do

    17 hr ago

    302. Master This: How to Learn Like the Experts Do

    "If these masters are still continually trying to improve their own craft, I don't have any excuses." The world's best don't reach the top and stop learning—they keep refining their craft. David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass, has spent years sitting across from elite performers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs—and he’s discovered that excellence is less about talent than a relentless commitment to growth. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, he joins Matt Abrahams to share lessons from building a company around learning, persuasion, and communication. From earning the trust of high-profile talent to leading creative and technical teams, Rogier reveals why curiosity, adaptability, and authentic relationship-building are essential communication skills. Takeaways: Lead with curiosity. Build trust by asking thoughtful questions and focusing on the other person's needs, not your own. Never stop improving. The world's top performers continuously seek feedback, refine their skills, and embrace lifelong learning.Activity: Study an expert. Watch a communicator you admire—a speaker, leader, or interviewer—and identify three techniques they use to engage their audience. Try incorporating one of those techniques into your next presentation or meeting.Episode Reference Links: David RogierMatt’s MasterClass 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 (00:39) - The Power of Learning (01:28) - Building Trust (04:21) - Creating Great Content (07:23) - Leading Different Teams (09:45) - Learning from Masters (10:54) - Communicating with a Stutter (14:00) - The Final Three Questions (17:39) - 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 your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart

    19 min
  2. 301. Trust at First Sight: Create More Meaningful Connections

    3 days ago ·  Video

    301. Trust at First Sight: Create More Meaningful Connections

    “Communication is the number one way to remove friction.” If communication is the key to connection, then removing friction is what makes every interaction work. According to Vanessa Van Edwards, the most effective communicators aren’t just skilled with words—they know how to align their gestures, body language, and presence to make others feel at ease. A behavioral researcher and bestselling author of Captivate and Cues, Van Edwards studies the subtle signals that shape how we are perceived. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, she joins Matt Abrahams to explore the hidden factors that influence communication, from purposeful gestures and expressive body language to the words, images, and visual cues that build trust and credibility. Takeaways: Great communication goes beyond words. Gestures, facial expressions, visual cues, and even the language we use in emails and meetings can either create friction or build trust, clarity, and connection.Focus on the other person, not yourself. By applying the Platinum Rule—treating others as they want to be treated—and intentionally putting people at ease, communicators can foster stronger relationships, deeper conversations, and greater influence.Activity: Practice the Platinum Rule. Before your next important conversation, meeting, or email, take one minute to answer: “What does this person need from me right now?” Then tailor your communication to their priorities, concerns, and preferred style—not your own. Afterward, reflect on how that shift changed the quality of the interaction.Printable PDF of Takeaways & Activity Episode Reference Links: Vanessa Van EdwardsVanessa’s Books: Cues / CaptivateEp.137 When Words Aren't Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal 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 (01:01) - The Importance of Strategic Communication (01:45) - The Power of Gestures (04:10) - A Readiness Check for Speakers (05:56) - Over-Signaling vs. Under-Signaling (08:18) - Dangerous Words in Communication (12:27) - Imagery Cues & First Impressions (15:03) - Virtual Backgrounds Matter (17:33) - The Platinum Rule (19:01) - The Final Three Questions (23:59) - Conclusion

    25 min
  3. 300. Matt’s Answers for Better Speaking and Leadership

    25 Jun

    300. Matt’s Answers for Better Speaking and Leadership

    Celebrating 300 episodes with listener questions from around the world.  In this special 300th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams celebrates a major milestone with a live Ask Matt Anything session featuring questions from listeners around the world—and a few from the team behind the show. He introduces a new communication framework, PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point), before tackling topics ranging from word recall and public speaking nerves to storytelling, AI’s impact on communication, giving difficult feedback, and using gestures more effectively. Along the way, he shares practical strategies, favorite communication techniques, and lessons learned from 300 episodes dedicated to helping people communicate with confidence, clarity, and connection. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: Ep.250 How to Navigate Conflict: Tools For Productive 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 >>> LinkedIn Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:13) - PREP Framework (04:13) - Improving Word Recall (07:10) - Public Speaking Nerves (11:35) - Concise vs. Detailed Communication (13:39) - AI & Communication Skills (16:12) - Storytelling Fundamentals (18:51) - Lingo vs. Jargon (20:22) - Difficult Feedback Conversations (22:36) - The Power of Paraphrasing (25:07) - Effective Gestures (29:28) - 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. Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.com Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

    31 min
  4. 299. Choose The Right Channel: How Stanford Finds Its Voice

    22 Jun

    299. Choose The Right Channel: How Stanford Finds Its Voice

    How to communicate with impact when the stakes are high. Communication isn't about getting information out. It's about making sure it gets through. In an era of fragmented attention and endless platforms, the challenge isn't finding ways to speak—it's finding ways to connect. According to Farnaz Khadem, Vice President of University Communications at Stanford, great communicators start with three questions: What's the goal? Who's the audience? And what does the data tell us? Whether guiding a university through a crisis, helping experts share their ideas with broader audiences, or deciding where a story should be told, she believes effective communication centers around understanding people. "People want to know what's actually happening," she says. "And if what is happening is you don't know what is happening, you have to tell people you don't know." In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Khadem joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss the importance of preparation, transparency, and active listening when communicating during uncertainty. From navigating the opportunities and risks of AI to crafting stories that create genuine connection, she shares practical lessons for building trust, adapting to changing audiences, and communicating effectively when the stakes are highest. Episode Reference Links: Farnaz KhademEp.22 Under Pressure: How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During a Crisis  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 Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:01) - Communication Fundamentals (02:21) - Choosing the Right Channel (04:01) - Building Communication Networks (05:13) - Coaching Better Communicators (07:07) - Crisis Preparation (09:10) - Crisis Response (11:03) - The Power of Storytelling (12:51) - AI in Communications (15:52) - The Final Three Questions (21:06) - 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. To see what Scribe could look like for your organization, head to scribe.how/thinkfast and mention Think Fast for your first month of Scribe Capture free.

    22 min
  5. 298. Quick Thinks: How to Look Confident, Composed, and Credible

    18 Jun

    298. Quick Thinks: How to Look Confident, Composed, and Credible

    The nonverbal habits that make you look confident, composed, and authentic before you even speak. How you carry yourself can shape how others perceive your confidence, credibility, and authenticity—often before you say a word. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams shares practical, research-backed techniques for strengthening your presence through body language, posture, gestures, and eye contact. Learn how to stand and sit with confidence, move with purpose, use your hands effectively, and avoid common nonverbal habits that can distract from your message. Whether you're presenting to an audience, leading a meeting, or navigating everyday conversations, these simple strategies can help you communicate with greater composure and impact. Episode Reference Links: Ep.12 It's Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How To Communica…Ep.137 When Words Aren't Enough: How to Excel at Nonverbal 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 >>> LinkedIn Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (00:37) - Be Big, Balanced, and Still (01:31) - The Right Speaking Stance (02:16) - Moving with Purpose (03:07) - Presence While Seated (03:53) - What to Do with Your Hands (04:38) - Gesturing Beyond Your Shoulders (05:27) - Effective Eye Contact (06:12) - Thinking While Speaking (06:57) - Bringing It All Together (07:44) - Practice Through Recording (08:30) - 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. Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.com Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

    10 min
  6. 297. Agency Over Anxiety: Communicating in Uncertain Times

    15 Jun ·  Video

    297. Agency Over Anxiety: Communicating in Uncertain Times

    Why the most effective communicators help people see not just what's changing, but why it matters to them. For Sinéad Bovell, effective communication isn’t just about explaining what’s coming next—it’s about giving people the confidence and agency to engage with it.Bovell is a futurist, founder of the tech education company WAYE, and an expert advisor to the United Nations AI Advisory Body. Known for making complex topics accessible to broad audiences, she has spent years helping leaders, organizations, and young people understand the implications of artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies. Her approach starts with a simple principle: meet people where they are and connect big ideas to what matters in their lives. “If you scare people too much, if you disempower them, they do unsubscribe from the very activities you need them to lean into.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Bovell joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss how to communicate complexity without overwhelming people and why skills like adaptability and judgment are becoming more valuable in the age of AI. From making emerging technologies more accessible to building trust through relevance and empathy, they discuss what it takes to help audiences engage with change rather than fear it. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: Sinéad Bovell 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 Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:00) - Explaining Complex Ideas (03:48) - The Future of Soft Skills (06:52) - Talking About AI Without Fear (10:33) - Storytelling for Young Audiences (12:46) - Reaching Young Audiences (15:01) - Career Pivots & Reinvention (16:53) - Becoming a Better Communicator (18:59) - The Final Three Questions (25:09) - Conclusion

    26 min
  7. 296. AMA: Speaking Out, Staying Grounded, and Managing Up

    11 Jun

    296. AMA: Speaking Out, Staying Grounded, and Managing Up

    Practical communication strategies you can use immediately at work and beyond. How do you speak up when a conversation is moving faster than you can think? What should you do when emotions threaten to derail your listening? And how can you give honest feedback to a boss who doesn’t seem interested in hearing it? In this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams answers listener questions from the Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community on some of the most challenging workplace communication scenarios. From practical techniques for inserting your ideas into fast-paced meetings to strategies for managing emotions and delivering feedback upward, Matt shares actionable advice to help you communicate with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. Episode Reference Links: Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community  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 Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (00:34) - Speaking Up in Meetings (03:14) - Listening Through Emotion (06:30) - Giving Feedback Upward (10:07) - 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. Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.com Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

    11 min
  8. 295. Culture Club: Communicating Values That Scale

    8 Jun

    295. Culture Club: Communicating Values That Scale

    Why the best leaders treat uncertainty as a chance to learn, not a failure to avoid. Most companies are built to grow. Far fewer are built to stay true to their purpose as they do. Eric Ries is an entrepreneur, creator of the Lean Startup movement, and author of Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great. For Ries, innovation starts with a simple reality: nobody can predict the future. “If you're going to do something fundamentally new,” he says, “how are we supposed to forecast” what success will look like? Instead of relying on certainty, leaders should focus on learning. “If you cannot fail, you cannot learn.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Ries and host Matt Abrahams explore how leaders can communicate through uncertainty, turn setbacks into valuable insights, and build cultures rooted in trust. From the power of the build-measure-learn feedback loop to the importance of making “deposits” in a company’s culture bank, Ries shares practical strategies for creating organizations that innovate, adapt, and stay true to their values as they grow. To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium. Episode Reference Links: Eric RiesEric’s Book: IncorruptibleEp.56 Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really StickEp.54 Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values   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 Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (00:53) - Lean Startup Fundamentals (02:35) - Business Plans vs. Reality (05:03) - Learning from Failure (06:43) - Why Companies Go Bad (09:21) - The Culture Bank (12:23) - The Final Three Questions (18:43) - 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. Unleash your Superhuman potential with AI that meets you where you work. Learn more at superhuman.com Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.

    20 min
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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.

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