FranklinCovey On Leadership Matt Abrahams: Communicate with Clarity, Structure, and Presence
Nov 18, 2025
Matt Abrahams, a Stanford lecturer and communication expert, shares his insights on effective communication. He emphasizes the importance of clarity and connection in leadership. His practical "What? So What? Now What?" framework helps listeners structure their thoughts spontaneously. Abrahams also discusses managing anxiety, crafting resonant messages, and engaging in meaningful small talk. He challenges common advice like memorization, advocating for authenticity and presence instead. Packed with actionable tips, this conversation leaves listeners ready to enhance their communication skills.
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Set A Three-Part Communication Goal
- Have a clear communication goal that includes information, emotion, and action.
- Tailor that goal to your audience so your message stays focused and targeted.
Structure Is A Roadmap For Spontaneity
- Structure acts as a roadmap that gives direction when speaking spontaneously.
- The What? So What? Now What? framework supplies start, end, and logical flow under pressure.
Boss Who Modeled Connection And Clarity
- Matt described a former boss who connected, focused, and showed empathy during conversations.
- Those three learnable skills made people understand her and want to help.
