Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

By: Matt Abrahams Think Fast Talk Smart
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  • Summary

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

    Bonus episode: How to Manage Speaking Anxiety the Think Faster, Talk Smarter Way
    Sep 26 2024

    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

    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.

    Reference Links:

    • Book: Think Faster, Talk Smarter
    • Ep.48 Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: How to Tackle Communication Anxiety

    Connect:

    • Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
    • Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
    • Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
    • Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
    • Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn


    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction
    Host Matt Abrahams introduces guestJen Psaki, a political analyst and former White House official.

    (00:01:07) Principles of Communication
    The importance of doing your homework and active listening.

    (00:02:08) Skills for Effective Listening
    Techniques for focusing and improving listening skills in communication.

    (00:02:51) Engagement and Lowering Barriers

    Strategies for making communication more engaging and accessible.

    (00:03:50) Tailoring Communication

    Importance of audience understanding and adjusting communication style.

    (00:05:14) Preparation and Practice for Confidence

    The role of preparation and continuous practice to build confidence.

    (00:07:07) The Value of Feedback

    Seeking feedback and reflecting on communication performances.

    (00:10:10) Handling Difficult Questions
    Tips for managing tough questions and controlling the narrative.

    (00:12:38) High-Stakes Negotiation
    Lessons from diplomatic negotiations and finding common ground.

    (00:15:30) The Final Three Questions

    Jen shares a question that Matt should have asked, a communicator she admires, and her ingredients for successful communication.

    (00:19:48) Conclusion

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (01:20) - The Onion Interview
    • (03:02) - Speaking Up Without Freaking Out
    • (05:30) - The ABCs of Speaking Anxiety
    • (06:44) - Mindfulness Matters
    • (09:02) - Reframe Anxiety as Excitement
    • (10:26) - Cooling Down and Managing Physical Symptoms
    • (14:15) - Taming Negative Thoughts
    • (15:26) - The Power of Repetition
    • (16:04) - Preparing Questions
    • (18:29) - Rationalizing the Odds
    • (19:32) - Conclusion
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    20 mins
  • 161. Do Your Homework: Know What to Say by Knowing Who You’re Talking To

    161. Do Your Homework: Know What to Say by Knowing Who You’re Talking To
    Sep 24 2024

    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 More
    • Ep.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.io
    • Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
    • Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
    • Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
    • Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn


    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction
    Host Matt Abrahams introduces guestJen Psaki, a political analyst and former White House official.

    (00:01:07) Principles of Communication
    The importance of doing your homework and active listening.

    (00:02:08) Skills for Effective Listening
    Techniques for focusing and improving listening skills in communication.

    (00:02:51) Engagement and Lowering Barriers

    Strategies for making communication more engaging and accessible.

    (00:03:50) Tailoring Communication

    Importance of audience understanding and adjusting communication style.

    (00:05:14) Preparation and Practice for Confidence

    The role of preparation and continuous practice to build confidence.

    (00:07:07) The Value of Feedback

    Seeking feedback and reflecting on communication performances.

    (00:10:10) Handling Difficult Questions
    Tips for managing tough questions and controlling the narrative.

    (00:12:38) High-Stakes Negotiation
    Lessons from diplomatic negotiations and finding common ground.

    (00:15:30) The Final Three Questions

    Jen shares a question that Matt should have asked, a communicator she admires, and her ingredients for successful communication.

    (00:19:48) Conclusion

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:02) - Principles of Communication
    • (03:03) - Skills for Effective Listening
    • (03:46) - Engagement and Lowering Barriers
    • (04:45) - Tailoring Communication
    • (06:09) - Preparation and Practice for Confidence
    • (08:02) - The Value of Feedback
    • (11:05) - Handling Difficult Questions
    • (13:33) - High-Stakes Negotiation
    • (16:25) - The Final Three Questions
    • (20:43) - Conclusion
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • 160. Best of: How to Communicate Your Gameplan

    160. Best of: How to Communicate Your Gameplan
    Sep 17 2024
    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 Gameplan Website / YouTube Ep.103 Simple is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any Audience Website / YouTube Ep.41 Speak Like a Founder: How Successful Entrepreneurs Communicate to Their Teams 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:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces Jesper Sørensen, professor of organizational behavior at the GSB(00:01:38) Defining StrategyThe core of strategy as securing an organization's economic prosperity, distinct from planning.(00:03:21) Common Misconceptions about StrategyMisunderstandings leaders often have regarding the nature of strategy (00:05:07) Strategy ArgumentThe concept of a strategy argument, a structured approach to strategic decision-making.(00:07:04) Strategy as a Communication ToolThe need for strategic communication to align and adapt within an organization.(00:10:53) The Dynamic Nature of StrategyHow strategies evolve and the importance of feedback from all organizational levels.(00:12:29) Storytelling in Strategy CommunicationThe power of storytelling in creating and communicating a coherent strategic vision.(00:14:55) Propagating Strategy Through StorytellingHow leaders can use storytelling to align their teams with a strategy.(00:17:01) The Final Three QuestionsJesper shares communication advice he’s received, a communicator he admires, and his ingredients for successful communication.(00:23:39) Conclusion (00:00) - Introduction (02:33) - Defining Strategy (04:16) - Common Misconceptions about Strategy (06:02) - The Concept of a Strategy Argument (07:59) - Strategy as a Communication Tool (11:48) - The Dynamic Nature of Strategy (13:24) - Storytelling in Strategy Communication (15:50) - Propagating Strategy Through Storytelling (17:56) - The Final Three Questions (24:34) - Conclusion
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins

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