In this engaging discussion, Greg Burke, a former journalist for Time Magazine and Fox News, shares invaluable communication insights drawn from his extensive career, including his role as a spokesman for the Vatican. He emphasizes the importance of simplicity in conveying messages effectively and highlights how curiosity can foster open conversations. Burke also touches on navigating crises with clear communication strategies and the vital role of understanding your audience while keeping the dialogue enjoyable and impactful.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Ask open-ended questions with genuine curiosity and generosity to make people open up.
Give them space to speak without interrupting or being aggressive to build trust in conversation.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Write Early, Edit Later
Get your facts straight and write under deadlines to avoid perfectionism.
Start writing without waiting for perfection and then edit to improve clarity and conciseness.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Embrace Editing and AI
Use editing and feedback to improve both writing and oral presentations.
Let your own voice and point of view guide the use of AI tools in writing.
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How to communicate clearly in any context, from newsrooms to the world stage.
All good communication, whether spoken or written, is built on the same foundation. In everything from police reporting for a newspaper to serving as spokesman for the Pope, Greg Burke has found the key: "Keep it as simple as possible."
Burke has worked as a journalist for Time Magazine and Fox News, as Director of Communications at IESE Business School in Barcelona and Madrid, and even as a communications advisor and spokesman for the Vatican. Across his varied experiences, he’s found that the biggest communication challenges often require the simplest solutions. From expressing “curiosity and real interest” in those we’re speaking with to ensuring our messages are “clear, consistent, and timely,” he advocates for core principles that apply in all types of communication.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Burke and host Matt Abrahams discuss communication strategies that work whether you’re presenting to a team of five or millions of parishioners worldwide. As Burke shares, it’s all very simple: “Know your audience, practice, and have fun.”
To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium
(12:57) - Crisis Communication: Lessons from the Vatican
(15:59) - The Final Three Questions
(23:12) - Conclusion
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Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques 
