Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
One of the most essential ingredients to success in business and life is effective communication.
Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges.
Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships.
Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our eNewsletter at fastersmarter.io.
Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges.
Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships.
Tune in every Tuesday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our eNewsletter at fastersmarter.io.
Episodes
Mentioned books
31 snips
Apr 10, 2020 • 15min
8. Don't Get Lost in Translation: How Non-Native Speakers Can Communicate With Confidence
In this discussion, Ken Romeo, Associate Director for the Stanford Language Center, shares insights on empowering non-native speakers. He emphasizes strategies to prepare for presentations with confidence and the importance of overcoming perfectionism. Ken encourages engaging in enjoyable activities to improve fluency. He also highlights practical techniques like recording conversations and practicing spontaneous speech to enhance communication. With a focus on clarity and simplicity, Ken inspires listeners to embrace their language journey.
15 snips
Apr 3, 2020 • 6min
7. Quick Thinks: Use This Framework to Speak up in Virtual Meetings
Struggling to share your thoughts in virtual meetings? Discover three effective techniques: paraphrasing your ideas, asking engaging questions, and expressing emotions. Plus, learn the 'What, So What, Now What' framework to structure your communication for maximum impact. These strategies will help you contribute confidently and connect with your audience more effectively!
21 snips
Mar 27, 2020 • 9min
6. Quick Thinks: Communicating and Leading Virtually
Learn how to lead successful virtual meetings with ease. Discover essential strategies for engaging presentations, including the importance of your environment and the tools you use. Enhance your communication skills with tips on lighting, eye contact, and vocal variation. Unlock the secrets to capturing and maintaining audience engagement, ensuring your message resonates even through a screen.
46 snips
Mar 12, 2020 • 17min
5. From Monologue to Dialogue: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience
In this engaging discussion, Burt Alper, a Stanford GSB lecturer with expertise in communication, shares vital strategies for addressing audience skepticism. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging concerns and using reframing techniques to foster constructive dialogue. Alper also delves into the differences between emotional and logical objections, highlighting the need for empathy to truly understand the audience's perspective. Ultimately, he reveals how passion and preparation can transform challenging interactions into collaborative opportunities.
66 snips
Feb 27, 2020 • 17min
4. The Journey to Mastery: How Self Reflection Can Improve Communication
JD Schramm, a strategic communication lecturer at Stanford, shares valuable insights on mastering communication. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection for personal growth and effective message delivery. Discussions include directly addressing audience perceptions versus reality, the need for a positive communication culture, and utilizing technology to analyze past interactions. Schramm also introduces the AIM model, which helps refine communication skills by considering the audience's perspective and improving overall engagement.
120 snips
Feb 11, 2020 • 14min
3. When Knowing Too Much Can Hurt Your Communication: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible
In this engaging discussion, Lauren Weinstein, a Stanford lecturer and TEDx speaker, highlights the challenges of conveying complex ideas to non-experts. She explains the 'curse of knowledge' that often leads to jargon-filled communications. Lauren shares techniques for audience-focused messaging, using examples like the iPod launch to illustrate clarity. The power of storytelling and analogies is emphasized for creating emotional connections, while 'chunking' information into digestible parts ensures better understanding and retention.
194 snips
Jan 30, 2020 • 16min
2. Communicating Our Multiple Selves: How to Effectively Manage Your Reputation
Allison Kluger, a strategic communication lecturer at Stanford, brings her expertise to discuss the art of reputation management. She highlights how our perceived selves shape both careers and social interactions. Kluger emphasizes the power of authenticity, self-awareness, and resilience in navigating reputations, especially online. The importance of balancing warmth and competence in communication is also examined, using historical examples to illustrate effective strategies. Overall, listeners gain valuable techniques for crafting their desired reputations.
445 snips
Jan 15, 2020 • 23min
1. Speaking Without a Net: How to Master Impromptu Communication
Adam Tobin, a Senior lecturer in film and media studies at Stanford, and Dan Klein, a lecturer in theater and performance studies, share their insights on mastering impromptu communication. They discuss the psychological pressures of spontaneous speaking and offer strategies to embrace uncertainty. The duo emphasizes turning challenges into opportunities through active listening and reframing. With anecdotes from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, they highlight self-trust, storytelling, and the joy of embracing spontaneity in all communication.
76 snips
Jan 10, 2020 • 2min
Introducing Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast
Discover how to turn public speaking anxiety into confidence. Experts share tips on speaking off the cuff and mastering Q&A sessions. Learn the importance of knowing your audience to enhance communication skills. The journey emphasizes improvement over perfection, making every conversation a chance to grow. Get ready to tackle those challenging discussions with newfound ease!
