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Matt Abrahams: Stanford MBA Public Speaking Research, Conquering Anxiety Biology & Gen Z vs. Millennial Attention Span - E334

Oct 26, 2023

Matt Abrahams, Stanford MBA professor, shares his journey of mastering public speaking, including a hilarious mishap during his first speech competition. He discusses the biological roots of anxiety, the impact of technology on communication, and offers practical tips for improving public speaking skills. The conversation also touches on generative AI in China and the importance of defining your authentic communication style.

35:34

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Episode guests

Matt Abrahams

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Quick takeaways

Public speaking mastery involves staying composed under pressure and using humor effectively.

Anxiety in public speaking is a biological response rooted in our evolutionary need for social status.

Deep dives

Setting Realistic Expectations for Public Speaking

Many people set unrealistic standards for effective communicators, often comparing themselves to highly-polished speakers like business and political leaders. The reality is that such speakers are extensively coached and practiced, making their performances unattainable benchmarks. This unrealistic comparison can exacerbate anxiety and hinder one's progress in public speaking endeavors. It is essential to acknowledge one's current abilities and strive for achievable improvements.

Audience-Centric Communication

01:53

Embrace Mistakes for Growth

00:43

The Power of Effective Communication

01:33

Intro

2min

Mastering Public Speaking: An Evolutionary Perspective

19min

Rise of Generative AI and its Impact on Communication

6min

Exploring Your Unique Communication Style

4min

Exploring Moments of Bravery and Facing Life's Tests

3min

Exploring Takeaways on Early Experiences, Anxiety Biology, and Personalized Approaches to Public Speaking

2min

In this discussion, Matt Abrahams, Stanford MBA Professor and author of Think Faster, Work Smarter, and Jeremy Au, talk about three main themes:

1. Journey to Mastering Public Speaking: Matt shared what inspired his journey to research public speaking. At his first-ever speech competition, he demonstrated a karate kick on stage and ripped his pants in front of the entire audience. This event catalyzed his deep dive into understanding and mastering the art of public speaking. He shared how this taught him the importance of staying composed under pressure and maintaining a sense of humor, even when things don’t go as planned. He also recounted a lesson he learned from his mother about how a person's communication style can influence others, shape their perceptions, or guide reactions in a desired direction.

2. Understanding Anxiety’s Biological Roots: Matt opened up about the inherent nature of anxiety, particularly when it comes to public speaking and establishing one's place in social hierarchies. He explained that feeling anxious in such situations is a natural biological response that has been a part of human evolution for centuries as our bodies are programmed to be alert and responsive to potential threats. With the modern world offering different speaking opportunities to larger, diverse audiences and the additional pressure brought by the permanency of video recordings, Matt highlighted the need to understand and adapt to the evolving challenges of public speaking anxiety.

3. Personalized Approach to Public Speaking: Matt stressed the essence of individuality in public speaking. He encourages people to learn from both successes and failures and integrate these lessons to develop a better approach suited to today’s world. He shared that Martin Luther King Jr. got a C- in Public Speaking in his early days, reminding everyone that even the most prolific orators faced challenges early on. He highlighted that people should set realistic and achievable expectations and understand that mastery is a continuous journey.

They also discussed the impact of cultural differences on communication styles, strategies for effective storytelling in presentations, how effective communication and public speaking are crucial for leaders in the tech industry, the value of observational learning, and the necessity of critical thinking and community support when seeking advice.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/matt-abrahams

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