In this podcast, communications expert Matt Abrahams shares strategies for speaking successfully when put on the spot. Topics include overcoming anxiety and perfectionism, the importance of structure in various domains, practicing and focusing communication skills, tips for small talk and Q&A sessions, and exploring artificial intelligence in communication.
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Quick takeaways
Preparing to be spontaneous involves training yourself to look for patterns that allow for quicker conclusions and connecting dots quickly.
Anxiety can hinder performance in spontaneous speaking, but reframing it as an opportunity to connect with your audience can reduce stress.
Deep dives
Mastering Spontaneous Speaking
Being able to connect dots quickly in spontaneous speaking comes from practice and preparation. Preparing to be spontaneous involves training yourself to look for patterns that allow for quicker conclusions. Focus on managing anxiety and improving performance by lowering stress levels and making your speech concise, relevant, and memorable. Strategies like deep belly breaths, reminding yourself of your value, and holding something cold can help alleviate anxiety. Additionally, slowing down, using broader gestures, and paraphrasing can slow down your speaking and thinking, boosting confidence. Practice these techniques and create an anxiety management plan for further improvement.
The Power of Mindset in Communication
Spontaneous communication is primarily focused on the moment and is often unplanned. Anxiety can hinder performance mentally and physically, but reframing it as an opportunity to connect with your audience can reduce stress. Striving for perfectionism adds unnecessary pressure. Instead, focus on connection rather than perfection, understand the right standard for judging success, and challenge heuristics to open up possibilities. Leading with curiosity and using paraphrasing are helpful in remaining engaged and ensuring effective communication.
Structuring Communication for Success
Structure plays a crucial role in effective communication, providing a logical narrative progression and setting expectations. Jazz musicians, playground designers, and improvisers all follow structured approaches to enhance creativity and spontaneity. Applying structure can help in various situations like small talk and question and answer sessions. Approaching small talk with curiosity rather than pressure to be interesting is key. Start with shared experiences, be aware of pacing, and use the white flag approach to gracefully exit the conversation. Q&A sessions can be mastered by adopting a mindset of opportunity, taking a pause to paraphrase the question, and structuring responses using the ADD formula (Answer, Detailed Example, Description of Relevance).
Continuous Improvement in Communication
Enhancing communication skills is possible for everyone, regardless of personality or experience. It is important to remember that improvement is a journey and practice, reflection, and feedback are essential. Curiosity should drive our pursuit of better communication, and emerging tools like artificial intelligence have the potential to play a significant role in enhancing our skills. Start the journey of improvement, as better communication has far-reaching benefits.
We’re often put on the spot to say something of value. And when it happens, it can catch us off guard.
For example, you log in early to a conference call and need to make small talk with high status colleagues. Or you find out in a meeting that a co-worker is leaving the company, and you’re asked to say a few words.
These kinds of spontaneous interactions happen more often than we think. But unlike formal presentations or pitches, there’s no time to practice. We wonder how to manage our anxiety and improve our performance.
That’s why communications expert, Matt Abrahams, wrote the book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot. He shares strategies to help us lower our stress and make what we say more concise, relevant, and memorable. Matt takes our on-the-spot communication to the next level.
Episode Links
How to Shine When You’re Put on the Spot
How to Speak Confidently When You’re Put on the Spot
The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff
Episode 235 with Jonah Berger
The Team
Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here.
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