Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

185. Say Less, Mean More: Craft Compelling Communication

Feb 11, 2025

Guy Kawasaki, a renowned author and former chief evangelist for Apple, shares his insights on making communication captivating rather than merely informative. He emphasizes that storytelling should evoke emotions, suggesting that entertainment enhances the chance to inform. From crafting engaging presentations to utilizing the 10-20-30 rule, he offers practical strategies for pitches and talks. Kawasaki also discusses how fostering a growth mindset is crucial in both communication and personal endeavors, highlighting the transformative power of storytelling.

20:43

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Episode guests

Guy Kawasaki

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Effective storytelling succeeds by captivating and entertaining the audience rather than just delivering information and facts.

The 10-20-30 rule promotes concise presentations with minimal text, enhancing clarity and audience engagement through simplified communication.

Deep dives

The Art of Engaging Storytelling

Effective storytelling hinges on the ability to engage and entertain the audience rather than solely informing them. A successful speaker must prioritize captivating the audience's interest, which creates a foundation for conveying the intended message. Instead of focusing on the speaker's agenda, like delivering key points, the emphasis should be on the audience's experience and enjoyment. By prioritizing entertainment in storytelling, speakers can significantly enhance the chances of their message being received and understood.

Intro

2min

Mastering Storytelling in Presentations

12min

The Power of Growth Mindset and the Joy of Surfing

2min

The Art of Meaningful Communication

2min

The Art of Engaging Communication

2min

How to captivate an audience and make your message stick.

Pitches and presentations don’t fall flat because speakers aren’t prepared. For Guy Kawasaki, it’s because speakers miss the point. “If all you're trying to do is inform, you're not going to pull it off. You have to entertain your audience.”

A renowned author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Kawasaki knows that the point of great storytelling isn’t about information, it’s about emotion. “Too many speakers think, ‘I need to inform my audience. I need to get my story across,’” he says. But throughout his career, formerly as Chief Evangelist at Apple and now co-founder of Canva, he’s shown how successful communication is about captivating audiences, not conveying facts. “If you entertain people, you have a chance of informing them.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kawasaki joins Matt Abrahams to explore practical strategies for building decks, structuring presentations, and tips for keeping audiences engaged. From investor pitches to keynote presentations, these strategies help create effective storytelling — in business and beyond.

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Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(01:59) - The Key to Great Storytelling
(03:47) - The Purpose of a Pitch
(07:32) - How to Structure a Pitch Effectively
(09:04) - The 10-20-30 Rule for Slide Presentations
(12:30) - Using Images vs. Text in Presentations
(13:11) - Lessons from Podcasting
(14:42) - The Final Three Questions
(18:52) - Conclusion

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Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

185. Say Less, Mean More: Craft Compelling Communication

Episode guests