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Fixable

Think faster and talk smarter (w/ Matt Abrahams)

Nov 6, 2023
Matt Abrahams, author and professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, shares tips on how to be a better, less anxious communicator. Topics include recovering after blanking out, focusing on the audience, the impact of perfectionism, engaging the audience, comparing communication and leadership.
36:03

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Having a structure and clear goals in mind is essential for effective spontaneous speaking, helping to prevent moments of blanking out and providing a safety net.
  • Managing anxiety by reframing it as excitement, practicing deep breathing, positive affirmations, and maintaining audience focus can greatly enhance communication skills and confidence.

Deep dives

The Importance of Communication and Being Prepared

In this podcast episode, communication is highlighted as a crucial skill, especially when delivering spontaneous speeches. The speakers, Ann and Francis, discuss their different comfort levels with on-the-spot communication. They introduce Matt Abrahams, a professor and expert in effective off-the-cuff communications. Matt emphasizes the value of mindset and preparation when it comes to spontaneous speaking. He suggests managing anxiety, shifting focus from perfection to connection, embracing spontaneous circumstances, and actively listening to improve communication skills. Matt also shares the importance of structure, delivering concise messages, and developing coping mechanisms to recover from moments of blanking out.

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