Kelly McGonigal, a Stanford GSB lecturer and best-selling author, discusses harnessing anxiety to enhance communication skills. She emphasizes reframing anxiety as a sign of care, which can deepen engagement during presentations. McGonigal shares how to channel nervous energy into confidence and connection, and the significance of empathy in tailoring messages. Her insights reveal how vulnerability can empower authentic communication, highlighting the essentials of curiosity, passion, and self-reflection for impactful dialogue.
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Leveraging Anxiety
Reframe anxiety as a sign that you care deeply about the topic and your audience.
Embrace the physiological responses as a source of energy for your communication.
insights INSIGHT
Anxiety as Presence
Anxiety can be a sign of presence, indicating focus and engagement with the situation.
This presence is different from the traditional view of presence as calmness.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Effective Communication
Use concrete details, examples, and visuals to explain your work clearly.
Encourage audience engagement and questions to foster understanding and interesting thoughts.
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How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It
Kelly McGonigal
In 'The Willpower Instinct,' Kelly McGonigal explains the science behind self-control and provides practical strategies to enhance willpower. The book is based on her 10-week course at Stanford University and covers topics such as the physiology of self-control, the role of stress and dopamine, and techniques like meditation and breathing exercises to improve willpower. McGonigal breaks down willpower into three categories: 'I will' (doing things that improve your life), 'I won’t' (avoiding things that undermine your health and happiness), and 'I want' (focusing on long-term goals). The book offers experiments and challenges to help readers apply the theories in their daily lives and improve their overall health, happiness, and productivity.
The Joy of Movement
How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage
Kelly McGonigal
In 'The Joy of Movement,' Kelly McGonigal draws on insights from neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology to show how movement is intertwined with basic human joys such as self-expression, social connection, and mastery. The book highlights stories of people who have found fulfillment and belonging through various forms of exercise, from running and walking to dancing and weightlifting. It illustrates how movement can create happiness, meaning, and connection, and serves as a powerful antidote to modern mental health issues. McGonigal also explores topics like the runner's high, exercise addiction, the impact of music on workouts, and the benefits of exercising outdoors, emphasizing the role of movement in our happiness and humanity.
Reframe anxiety as a strength and use stress to enhance your communication.
Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says it’s not about making them go away, but using them to your advantage. “What I have come to value about anxiety,” says McGonigal, “is it’s a sign that I care.” As she explains, feelings of stress alert us to things that matter to us and help us stay present in the moment — particularly useful, she says, when it comes to communication.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McGonigal and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to channel stress toward more effective communication and to a deeper connection to our own purpose and meaning.
This episode is brought to you by Loom. Try Loom for free today at loom.com/thinkfast.
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