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What makes a great conversation?
“Many of us dread small talk,” says Harvard Business School professor and author Alison Wood Brooks. Yet she believes these everyday exchanges are the gateway to deeper connection and opportunity. An expert in the science of conversation, Wood Brooks, teaches a popular course titled Talk and has spent years researching what makes a great conversation. "Big things often start with small talk," she notes. "It’s not about avoiding it; it’s about knowing how to use it to uncover something meaningful."
In this LinkedIn Live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Wood Brooks joins host Matt Abrahams to share a practical framework for mastering small talk and making it enjoyable, even for those who loathe it. Drawing from her "topic pyramid" approach, Wood Brooks breaks down how to elevate a conversation from mundane chitchat to something memorable. “Think of it as a treasure hunt,” she suggests. “Small talk is where you start looking for golden nuggets that can lead to deeper engagement.”Episode Reference Links:
Alison Wood Brooks Alison's Book: TalkEp.73 Listen Up: Why It’s Better to Be Interested than Interesting Ep.89 Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep ConnectionsConnect:
Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
(00:00) - Introduction(01:27) - What Makes a Good Conversation?(03:46) - The Topic Pyramid(06:27) - Preparation for Small Talk(08:43) - Remembering Conversation Details(10:21) - Asking Too Many Questions(12:14) - Conversation Goals and Contexts(16:08) - Virtual vs In-Person Conversations(17:57) - The Importance of Listening(21:51) - Think Fast Talk Smart Premium(23:09) - Conclusion
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Make your message memorable.
“Immediately forgettable” — that’s how Matthew Dicks describes most of the business communication that he encounters. If you want to be remembered, he says, it’s time to tell stories.
A veteran elementary school teacher, storytelling coach, and best-selling author, Dicks knows how the right narrative can transform mundane messages into stories that stick. In his book, Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling, he explores how to capture and hold an audience’s attention, which is particularly critical for business leaders. "When we tell a story about a product or service, the people we work with, our company, we become memorable and interesting and entertaining in a way that doesn't happen very often in business," he says.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Dicks and host Matt Abrahams discuss practical techniques for crafting compelling narratives, from setting a scene to creating suspense. “Don’t build a building. Don’t buy a machine,” he says. Becoming a better storyteller is one of the most effective ways to level up. “It’s a crazy thing for businesses,” he says.
Episode Reference Links:
Matthew DicksMatthew’s Book: Storyworthy Ep.50 Telling Good Stories: How to Use the Elements of Narrative to Keep Listeners EngagedEp.47 Quick Thinks: How to Use Storytelling to Be a Better FounderConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
(00:00) - Introduction (01:24) - Why Storytelling Matters in Business (03:00) - The Essence of a Good Story (05:01) - Become a Better Storyteller (06:41) - Using Suspense in Stories (08:47) - Suspense in Business Communication (10:49) - Structuring Stories Like Scenes (12:58) - Relating Stories to Life(15:25) - Homework for Life(18:05) - Storytelling Delivery(19:12) - The Final Three Questions(23:17) - Conclusion
Chapters: -
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Beyond the Big Screen.
Every business meeting, product launch, or marketing communication has something in common with your favorite movie: they all succeed or fail based on their ability to make you feel something. Just ask Jeff Small, CEO of Amblin Partners.
"Good stories win," says Small, who leads one of the world's most renowned independent film and television companies alongside Steven Spielberg. As both a business leader and storytelling expert, Small knows that successful communication is built on person-to-person connection through the power of story. "Whatever walk of life you're in, you have to be able to tell a story to connect with people, to get across the message that you're trying to get across."
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Small joins host Matt Abrahams to share insights from his experience at the intersection of creativity and commerce, unpacking how effective storytelling can transform your communication, whether leading teams through industry disruption, resolving conflicts at work and at home, or creating films to inspire audiences for generations to come.
Jeff SmallEp.153 Listen Up, Leaders: A Record-Setting Coach’s Guide to CommunicationEp.35 Leading From The Hot Seat: How To Communicate Under Pressure
Episode Reference Links:Connect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
(00:00) - Introduction(01:48) - What Makes a Good Story?(02:41) - Bringing Emotion into Communication(03:17) - Storytelling Across Professions(05:21) - Crafting an Effective Story(07:07) - Uniqueness in Storytelling(08:10) - Balancing Creativity and Business(09:39) - Managing Conflict with Connection(11:28) - Screen Time and Family(13:08) - Navigating Industry Change(15:28) - The Final Three Questions(21:53) - Conclusion
Chapters: -
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Why practice is the key to success.
If there’s anyone who knows about performing under pressure, it’s former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck. Whether playing in front of thousands or presenting to ten, his key to success is practice.
"There's a romantic notion that you rise to the occasion," says Luck, a Stanford graduate and four-time Pro Bowl selection. "But I think you settle to the level of your training. We practiced those high-pressure situations all the time.” From calling critical game-winning plays to navigating communication off the field, our performance in high-stakes situations, Luck maintains, is determined by our level of preparation.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Luck and host Matt Abrahams explore how deliberate practice can help us hone our performance across all domains of our lives. From managing high-pressure situations to building psychological safety in homes and workplaces, Luck shares insights gained from both sides of the field — as a player and now as a coach.
Episode Reference Links:
Andrew LuckEp.153 Listen Up, Leaders: A Record-Setting Coach’s Guide to CommunicationConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
(00:00) - Introduction(01:44) - Communication in High-Stress Situations(03:54) - Staying Calm Under Pressure(06:24) - Earning Leadership Through Respect(07:47) - Overcoming Conflict Aversion(08:54) - Decision to Retire from the NFL(11:01) - Returning to Education(12:39) - Life Lessons Through Coaching(15:00) - The Final Three Questions(18:08) - Conclusion
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Create more meaningful communication by defining your audience.
Before you even think about communicating a message, defining a brand, or developing a strategy, Seth Godin says you have to ask these questions: “Who’s it for? What’s it for? And what’s the change [you] seek to make?”As a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert, Godin understands that effective communication rests on purpose and intent. “Branding is not logoing,” he says, but a “promise” that an individual or company makes about who they are and what others can expect of them. By intentionally defining who we are and who our audience is, Godin argues we can create more meaningful connections and drive real change.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Godin and host Matt Abrahams explore how we can be more deliberate in our communication, using storytelling, clarity of messaging, and defining the impact we want to make on our audience and the world.
Episode Reference Links:
Seth GodinSeth’s Books: This Is Strategy / This Is MarketingEp.64 Best of: Techniques for Managing Your ReputationEp.118 Maximizing your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You WantConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
(00:00) - Introduction(01:26) - Defining Branding and Marketing(03:07) - The Role of Status in Podcast Growth(05:16) - Storytelling as a Powerful Tool(06:56) - The Smallest Viable Audience(08:29) - Clarity in Messaging(10:46) - Strategy Defined(14:09) - Developing Effective Strategies(16:45) - The Final Three Questions(20:52) - Conclusion
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The inner workings of social influence and persuasion.
Want to change someone’s mind? First, explains Robert Cialdini, you have to change their framing.
For Cialdini, the Regent's Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University, persuasion begins before we even deliver our pitch or presentation. Through what he calls “Pre-suasion,” communicators can prime audiences to receive messages in a specific way, simply by drawing their attention in specific directions.
“It involves focusing people on—putting them in mind of—those motivators before they encounter [them] in the communicator’s message,” Cialdini says, “bringing people’s focus of attention onto something that is nested in the message…before that message is delivered, so they have been readied for the concept.”
In this episode, Matt Abrahams and Cialdini talk about the motivating power of FOMO, getting better advice from others, and how your next wine purchase could be influenced by what music is playing in the shop.
Episode Reference Links:
Robert CialdiniRobert's books: Influence / Pre-SuasionEp.11 The Science of Influence: How to Persuade Others And Hold Their AttentionEp.142 Power and Persuasion: Live Insights from Stanford Experts Original Episode: Ep.76 Change My Mind: Using “Pre-suasion” to Influence OthersConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
(00:00) - Introduction(02:31) - Persuasion and Pre-suasion(05:52) - Priming and Framing in Pre-suasion(08:33) - Understanding Scarcity(11:23) - The Unity Principle(14:39) - Social Proof and Influence(19:59) - The Role of Language in Persuasion(22:58) - The Final Three Questions(27:24) - Conclusion
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How acceptance and authenticity can transform all of our interactions.
What’s the key to experiencing deeper connection in our communication? According to Alan Alda, it starts with acceptance — of others and ourselves.
"Connecting, communicating, and clarity," Alda explains, "they're all based on hearing what the other person is really saying; letting the person be real; accepting them.” As an acclaimed actor, writer, director, and author of If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?, Alda has spent much of his career exploring how acceptance enables us to be our authentic selves, leading to better communication and truer connection. “There’s nothing more engaging than the real you,” he says.
Also the founder of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, Alda strives to help scientists and health professionals communicate more effectively with the public. “Science can't do its work unless it gets funded. And it can't get funded if people don't understand what the scientists are trying to do,” he says.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Alda and host Matt Abrahams discuss how acceptance and authenticity can transform all of our interactions, from complicated science conversations to everyday communication.
Episode Reference Links:
Alan AldaAlan’s Book: If I Understood You, Would I have This Look on My Face? Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science Ep.82 It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First Ep.114 Communication Means Paying Attention: The Four Pillars of Active ListeningConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
(00:00) - Introduction(01:34) - Motivation for Communication(03:34) - Avoiding Communication Pitfalls(05:50) - The Role of Clarity and Vividness(06:57) - Reflection in Communication(07:47) - Connection in Conversations(09:02) - Reframing Communication Anxiety(10:42) - Asking Meaningful Questions(11:37) - Matt’s Communication Journey(13:24) - The Art of Storytelling(15:51) - The Final Three Questions(17:58) - Conclusion
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Being present in the moment and staying open to whatever unfolds.
We all want to lead lives and careers full of joy and fulfillment. Maggie Baird certainly has, and the key, she says, is to stay open to new possibilities and “let your passion lead.”
Baird is an accomplished actress, improv teacher at the Groundlings Theater, mother to music sensations Billie Eilish and Phineas, and founder of Support and Feed, a nonprofit addressing food equity and the climate crisis. Through it all, she has embodied the improv principle of "Yes, and..." — being present in the moment and staying open to whatever unfolds. “I have done many things,” she says, “but I never approached any of them as a career change. They all came out of new interests and new experiences.”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Baird joins host Matt Abrahams to explore the critical role of communication in developing a career, and how improv principles can help us engage, as Baird says, “From a place of open-heartedness, appreciation, [and] collaboration.”
Support And FeedEp.118 Maximizing your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You WantEp.1 Speaking Without a Net: How to Master Impromptu CommunicationEp.9 Quick Think: How Being Present-Oriented Improves Communication
Episode Reference Links:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
Connect:
(00:00) - Introduction(01:28) - Career Transitions (02:20) - Teaching and Confidence Through Improv (04:38) - Improv as a Communication Tool (06:20) - Structure and Freedom in Improv (08:12) - Teaching with Empathy (11:09) - Advocacy in the Music Industry (13:53) - Collaboration and Positive Change (16:42) - The Final Three Questions(18:21) - Conclusion
Chapters: -
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Gain control over your speaking and excel in your communication.
For the first anniversary of his book Think Faster, Talk Smarter, Matt Abrahams shares strategies from the first chapter, focusing on managing speaking anxiety and improving spontaneous communication. Through personal anecdotes and practical techniques, he explains how to handle unexpected questions, reframe anxiety as excitement, and use mindfulness and breathing exercises to stay calm under pressure. The episode also offers tips for managing physical symptoms of anxiety and staying mentally focused during high-stakes situations
Reference Links:
Link to buy book in your country: Think Faster, Talk Smarter Ep.48 Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: How to Tackle Communication AnxietyConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
(00:00) - Introduction(01:12) - The Onion Interview(02:54) - Speaking Up Without Freaking Out(05:22) - The ABCs of Speaking Anxiety(06:36) - Mindfulness Matters(08:54) - Reframe Anxiety as Excitement(10:18) - Cooling Down and Managing Physical Symptoms(14:07) - Taming Negative Thoughts(15:18) - The Power of Repetition(15:56) - Preparing Questions(18:21) - Rationalizing the Odds(19:24) - Conclusion Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from THINK FASTER, TALK SMARTER by Matt Abrahams, read by the author. Copyright 2023 by Matthew Abrahams LLC. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Chapters: -
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Know your audience and tailor the message for them.
In high-stakes communication, every word counts. For Jen Psaki, that means knowing who she’s talking to — so she knows just what to say.
As the former White House Press Secretary and current host of Inside with Jen Psaki on MSNBC, Psaki has discovered that communication isn’t about “saying the most words or saying them the loudest,” but about knowing your audience well enough to tailor the message just for them. “You need to think about how you're going to get your audience to listen to you,” she says. “The goal of communicating is to crack the door open so somebody wants to hear more.”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Psaki and host Matt Abrahams explore her approach to strategic communication: identifying your audience and using what you know to engage with them and get them to engage with you.
Episode Reference Links:
Jen Psaki Jen’s Book: Say MoreEp.22 Under Pressure How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During Crisis Website / YouTube Ep.155 Can We Be Candid? How to Communicate Clearly and Directly Website / YouTube
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
Connect:
(00:00) - Introduction(01:42) - Principles of Communication(02:43) - Skills for Effective Listening(03:26) - Engagement and Lowering Barriers(04:25) - Tailoring Communication(05:49) - Preparation and Practice for Confidence(07:42) - The Value of Feedback(10:45) - Handling Difficult Questions(13:13) - High-Stakes Negotiation (16:05) - The Final Three Questions(20:23) - Conclusion
Chapters: -
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Why organizational strategy can be both top-down and bottom-up.
As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it, a winning strategy is the result of conversations, not commands, and that strategy can be directed from the C-suite, but it doesn’t have to be. “Lots of great strategies are discovered,” he says, “they’re discovered because the leaders were able to listen to their frontline workers or their frontline managers.” A more iterative approach, says Sørensen, helps companies adapt their strategy to an ever-changing landscape.
In the latest episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sørensen joins host and lecturer Matt Abrahams to discuss how organizations can use better communication to craft better strategies.Episode Reference Links:
Stanford GSB Profile: Jesper B. SørensenSørensen’s Book: Making Great StrategyOriginal Episode: Ep.71 Strategy Success: How to Communicate Your GameplanEp.103 Simple is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any AudienceEp.41 Speak Like a Founder: How Successful Entrepreneurs Communicate to Their Teams
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
Connect:
(00:00) - Introduction(02:13) - Defining Strategy(03:56) - Common Misconceptions about Strategy(05:42) - The Concept of a Strategy Argument(07:39) - Strategy as a Communication Tool(11:28) - The Dynamic Nature of Strategy(13:04) - Storytelling in Strategy Communication(15:30) - Propagating Strategy Through Storytelling(17:36) - The Final Three Questions(24:14) - Conclusion
Chapters: -
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What it takes to develop as a leader.
Great leaders and great communicators aren't born, they're made. That's why John Hennessy and Tina Seelig, directors of Stanford University’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars, are working to create the great storytellers of tomorrow, today.
"We decided that there was a leadership void, and that was a driving motivation to do this," says Hennessy, former Stanford president and current Alphabet chairman. The program, which he co-founded in 2016 with Stanford alum and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, equips scholars with essential leadership skills through hands-on experience and collaborative problem-solving.
Seelig, executive director of the program, emphasizes that great leadership centers on effective storytelling. "No matter how compelling your invention, your idea, the thing you want to do in the world, if you can't communicate it in [an] effective way, nobody's going to listen," she says.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Hennessy, Seelig, and host Matt Abrahams explore what it takes to develop as a leader, discussing the role of communication, the power of empathy, and the centrality of storytelling.
Episode Reference Links:
Stanford Biography: John L Hennessy Tina Seelig: WebsiteStanford Profile: Tina Seelig Knight-Hennessy ScholarsLeading Matters PodcastEp.155 Can We Be Candid? How to Communicate Clearly and Directly Website / YouTube Ep.35 Leading From the Hot Seat: Hot to Communicate Under Pressure Website / YouTube
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
Connect:
(00:00) - Introduction (01:42) - The Core of Knight-Hennessy Scholars(02:30) - Knight-Hennessy Scholars Leadership Model(04:09) - Empathy and Humility in Leadership(06:35) - Storytelling in Leadership(07:57) - Challenges in Storytelling(09:31) - Diversity in Leadership(11:55) - Feedback in Leadership Development(13:05) - Aspiring to Big Ideas in Leadership(13:51) - The Leading Matters Podcast (15:45) - The Final Three Questions(19:06) - Conclusion
Chapters: -
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“Acts of trust are the bedrock on which relationships are formed.”
There’s a lot in the world to make us cynical about other people and their motives and intentions. But by “trusting loudly,” Professor Jamil Zaki believes we can renew our faith in one another.
Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience lab, and author of several books, including his most recent, Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness. While many people feel suspicious of others and are reluctant to trust them, Zaki finds that relying on other people is a necessary part of forming relationships.“Acts of trust are the bedrock on which relationships are formed,” Zaki says. “The only way that strangers become friends and friends become best friends, the only way that we can build partnerships is through a willingness to count on one another.”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zaki joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss practical strategies for fostering trust and challenging our cynical assumptions, offering a hopeful perspective on human nature, backed by surprising scientific insights.
Episode Reference Links:
Jamil Zaki: WebsiteStanford Profile: Jamil Zaki Jamil’s Lab: Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab Jamil’s Book: Hope for CynicsEp.84 Quick Thinks: How Others Define UsEp. 129 Connect Deeply: How to Communicate So People Feel Seen and Heard
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
Connect:
(00:00) - Introduction (01:38) - Defining Trust and Its Importance(02:29) - Building Better Trust(03:59) - Understanding Cynicism (06:22) - The Cynicism Spectrum (08:42) - Fostering Hopeful Skepticism(10:55) - Challenges of Overcoming Cynicism(15:45) - Self-Fulfilling Prophecies (18:06) - The Final Three Questions(25:11) - Conclusion
Chapters: -
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Artificial intelligence can now do a lot of things. But if you’re worried about it taking your place as a communicator, Russ Altman says you need to question why you’re communicating in the first place.
Altman is a professor of bioengineering, a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, and host of Stanford Engineering’s podcast, The Future of Everything. According to him, advancing technology isn’t a threat to human creativity and connection, but a tool we can use to raise our own standards for communication.
“If you're worried that a ChatGPT-type tool can replace you, you need to [ask]: Why am I communicating? What am I trying to say? Do I have a message?” he says. “If those things are true, it shouldn't be a problem. It should actually amplify and improve your message.”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Altman and host Matt Abrahams explore how effective communication can help us envision, articulate, and navigate towards our desired future, in our relationships, in our work, and in society.
Episode Reference Links:
Stanford Profile: Russ B. AltmanThe Future of Everything Podcast | Stanford University School of Engineering Ep.109 Simplify! How to Communicate Complex Ideas Simply and Effectively Website / YouTube Ep. 3 When Knowing Too Much Can Hurt Your Communication: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible Website / YouTubeConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn -
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As a designer, Scott Doorley is interested in how humans create the world around them. It’s a conversation, he says, that starts with the question: What kind of world do we want?
Doorley is the creative director of the Stanford d.school and co-author of the book, Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future. In designing everything from a device to an app to a building, “People get excited about what it can do,” he says, “but what should it do? What do we want? What's the desirable outcome that we want in the world?”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Doorley and host Matt Abrahams discuss how applying design thinking to communication can help us connect more with each other, better understand the world, and create meaningful change.
Episode Reference Links:
Stanford d.school Profile: Scott Doorley Stanford d.school Scott’s Book: Assembling TomorrowEp.61 Courage, Belonging, Ambiguity and Data: How to Design Your Communication for SuccessEp.70 Ideas Fuel Innovation: Why Your First Ideas Aren’t Always the BestConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Host Matt Abrahams introduces guest Scott Doorley, creative director of Stanford’s d.school.
(00:01:07) What is Design?
The broad scope of design at Stanford's d.school and the role of intention in bringing ideas to life.
(00:02:16) The Design Process
The design process, emphasizing desirability and externalizing ideas to understand them better.
(00:03:32) Communication in Design
The vital role of communication in all aspects of design.
(00:05:09) Mistakes in Spatial Design
The biggest mistake people make when arranging spaces for communication and interaction.
(00:06:47) Runaway Design
The concept of runaway design and its implications in the modern world.
(00:09:29) Intangibles and Actionables
The distinction between actionables and intangibles, and how these concepts can be applied beyond design.
(00:12:47) Using Stories in Design
How storytelling helps envision and communicate future impacts of design.
(00:16:20) Emotion in Innovation
The role of emotions in driving innovation, communication, and design.
(00:19:03) The Final Three Questions
Scott shares what he is currently designing, a communicator he admires, and his ingredients for successful communication.
(00:23:17) Conclusion
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Navigators know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In charting a course through communication, Susan Rice says the best route is often the most direct.
Throughout her career at the forefront of American diplomacy and foreign policy, Rice has been no stranger to high-stakes situations that hinge on clear and candid communication. As she says, “I'm very direct. I don't believe in playing games, going around people, and being passive-aggressive. I shoot straight.”
Rice graduated from Stanford University in 1986 and served as the US Ambassador to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013 and the National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2017. She is currently the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Visiting Fellow. Rice is the author of Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For.
But beyond being direct herself, Rice knows the value of allowing others to be direct with her. “If you give it, you got to be able to take it,” she says. “I've benefited at various stages of my career from colleagues who've been kind enough to give me the hard truths or the tough love to enable me to be better and help me to recognize where I'm falling short.”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Rice and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to foster personal and professional relationships where candidness can thrive — even when communicating with those we don’t agree with.
Episode Reference Links:
Stanford Freeman Spogli Institute Profile: Susan E. RiceSusan’s Book: Tough LoveEp.35 Leading from the Hot Seat: How to Communicate Under PressureConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Host Matt Abrahams introduces guest Dr. Susan Rice, former White House official and representative to the United Nations.
(00:00:56) Leadership Principles
Susan discusses vision, direction, and the importance of people in leadership.
(00:03:10) Giving and Receiving Feedback
Importance of direct communication and the value of constructive feedback.
(00:05:01) Negotiation Insights
Strategies for understanding and leveraging positions in negotiations
(00:06:50) Enjoyment of Negotiation
The skills and satisfaction involved in successful negotiations.
(00:07:59) Standing Out
Advice for those who find themselves different from others in their professional environments.
(00:10:33) The Final Three Questions
Susan shares how she balances family political differences, communicators she admires, and ingredients for successful communication.
(00:16:17) Conclusion
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"In a leadership role, so much more of communication is about connecting with people, establishing shared humanity, motivating them, inspiring them, sometimes challenging them."
On August 1, 2024, Jonathan D. Levin, the tenth dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business, was appointed the President of Stanford University. In this Think Fast, Talk Smart episode from 2022, Levin reflects on the importance of communication as a leader. There is a balance, he says, in being direct with your dialogue, while also "leaving space for people to form their own opinions, to discuss ideas, to debate."
Episode Reference Links:
Stanford Profile: Jonathan LevinOriginal Episode: Ep.68 Directive vs. Dialogue: Communicating Better as a Leader Website / YouTubeConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Host Matt Abrahams introduces guest Jon Levin, Dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business.
(00:01:33) Evolution of Communication in Leadership
How Jon’s communication has evolved over his career.
(00:03:30) Best Practices in Leadership Communication
Communicating with clarity during times of ambiguity and challenge.
(00:06:16) The Future of Communication in Business
The role of communication in business leadership and education.
(00:07:00) Teaching Capitalism Amid Societal Issues
How Stanford GSB educates students on capitalism while addressing modern challenges.
(00:10:35) Expanding Business Education
The Stanford GSB’s initiatives to reach and educate a broader audience.
(00:13:02) The Final Three Questions
John shares his best communication advice, a communicator he admires and ingredients for successful communication.
(00:15:17) Conclusion
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Tara VanDerveer has more wins than any other coach in NCAA basketball history. But as she says, motivating and leading teams isn’t about barking orders. Communication, she says, “It starts, number one, with listening.”
For VanDerveer, leadership isn’t about a power dynamic, but a collaboration between her and her team. “I can't do it by myself and they can't do it by themselves. But as a team, we can,” she says. From seeking opinions from her assistant coaches to connecting with players about life outside the gym, VanDerveer recognizes that championships are won through communication. “The relationships that you have with your players, the communication that you have with them, will determine your success as a coach,” she says.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, VanDerveer and host Matt Abrahams explore more communication insights from on and off the court — being clear and concise, giving praise and positive feedback, and letting go of perfectionism.
Episode Reference Links:
Stanford Cardinal Profile: Website Ep.102 Create Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel Website / YouTube Ep.35 Leading From The Hot Seat: How To Communicate Under Pressure Website / YouTubeConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Host Matt Abrahams introduces guest Tara VanDerveer, former Stanford University basketball coach.
(00:00:59) Building Trust and Openness
Fostering an environment where players feel comfortable being challenged and pushing themselves.
(00:01:52) Communicating Under Pressure
Strategies for speaking clearly and concisely during crucial moments in games.
(00:05:24) Motivation and Focus
Motivating a team during challenging times and keeping them focused after successes.
(00:07:26) The Value of Routine
The value and impact of routines in practice and performance.
(00:09:01) Positive Feedback and Praise
Balancing constructive criticism with positive feedback to foster player growth.
(00:10:46) Taking Risks
Insights on taking risks in career and coaching strategies.
(00:12:56) Dual Role of Coaching
The dual role of a coach in ensuring both athletic and personal growth for players.
(00:14:11) Handling Turnover and Onboarding
Managing player turnover and integrating new team members.
(00:16:39) Managing Emotions
Techniques for staying calm and focused during high-emotion situations.
(00:17:55) Handling Mistakes and Staying Positive
Methods for helping players move past mistakes and stay focused.
(00:19:35) Equity in Sports
Addressing and advocating for equity between women's and men's sports.
(00:21:21) Final Three Questions
Tara shares how to accept praise, two communicators she admires, and her recipe for successful communication.
(00:26:30) Conclusion
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“Anything is fixable,” say Frances Frei and Anne Morriss. As cohosts of the Fixable podcast, they’re typically the ones doing the fixing, but on this special episode, they turn to Matt Abrahams for tips on what to do when communication breaks down.
Both Frei and her wife Morriss are public speakers; the former, a professor at Harvard Business School, the latter, a CEO and best-selling author. As they discuss with Matt Abrahams, perfectionism and self-doubt can often creep in, both during preparation before speaking and after the fact. According to Matt, effective communication is about “connection, not perfection.” Instead of putting pressure on ourselves to “get it right,” Matt encourages us to shift our focus from ourselves to those we’re speaking to. “Whenever you're communicating, you're in service of the audience you're communicating to,” he says. “It's not about you, it's about them and what you can do for them.”
In this podcast episode, Frei, Morriss, and Matt explore frameworks and strategies for speaking more spontaneously, building confidence, managing anxiety, and course-correcting when communication goes awry.
Episode Reference Links:
Fixable Podcast: Website Anne Morriss & Frances Frei: Website Anne Morriss: LinkedIn Frances Frei: HBS ProfileConnect:
Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Matt Abrahams introduces the episode, a collaboration with the Fixable podcast hosted by Frances Frei and Anne Morriss.
(00:04:58) Mission of Spontaneous Speaking
Matt discusses his focus on helping people communicate more effectively in unplanned situations.
(00:07:10) Audience Centered Communication
The importance of focusing on the audience to reduce anxiety and improve communication.
(00:09:51) Connection Over Perfection
Prioritizing connection over perfection in communication.
(00:11:00) Benefits of Effective Communication
The benefits of improving spontaneous speaking skills.
(00:12:17) Building a Communication Infrastructure
An outline of helping organizations create supportive communication environments.
(00:13:33) Six Steps to Better Communication
A six-step process to improve spontaneous communication, covering mindset and messaging.
(00:16:55) Managing Communication Anxiety
Strategies for managing anxiety in high-stakes communication situations.
(00:21:00) Handling Blanking Out
How to handle and recover from blanking out during a speech or presentation.
(00:25:21) Real-Life Experience
A recent experience of underestimating time during a keynote and how the situation was managed.
(00:27:44) The Value of Preparation
The importance of preparation in both spontaneous and planned communication.
(00:28:43) AMP and Building Confidence
Three immediate strategies for reducing anxiety right before speaking.
(00:31:53) Conclusion
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