Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

• 194. Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1

  Effective leadership begins with the way you communicate.Leading with impact isn’t about speaking louder—it’s about communicating in ways that resonate with what people already value. In Part 1 of this special two-part series from the Stanford LEAD Me2We Conference, Matt Abrahams brings together four expert GSB faculty—Allison Kluger, Nir Halevy, Christian Wheeler, and Naomi Bagdonas—to explore how to lead and communicate with intention. They share how authenticity builds trust, why discomfort is essential for growth, how to design space for serendipity, and the role AI can play in expanding—not replacing—human potential. From managing reputation to staying present in high-pressure moments, this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart offers insights to help leaders connect more effectively, show up with purpose, and inspire meaningful action.Episode Reference Links:Allison Kluger Book Allison Contributed to:  Brand Up Naomi Bagdonas Nir Halevy Christian Wheeler Ep.2 Communicating Our Multiple Selves: How to Effectively Manage Your Reputation Ep.13 Make ’Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your Communication Ep.30 Dissolve Disagreements: How Communication Impacts Conflict Ep.18 Managing in the Moment: How to Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable Connect: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 >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (03:33) - Managing Reputation and Authentic Communication (05:35) - Leadership Pluralism and Team Culture (07:35) - Discomfort, Growth, and Distraction (11:59) - Guiding Principles and the Serendipity Fund (14:34) - Using AI in Teaching and Research (21:55) - Fixing Hierarchies with CPR (23:50) - Authenticity, Humor Styles, and Human Flourishing (26:39) - Executive Presence and Owning the Room (29:28) - Writing Better Titles and Facilitating Interactions (31:21) - Conclusion *****Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford ReportJoin our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.    

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• 193. Conquer questions: ADDing Value To Your Answers

  Turn Q&A from nerve-wracking to confidence-boosting with strategies for clear, controlled answers.A great presentation doesn’t end with the final slide—it continues through the Q&A, where real engagement happens. Yet, for many speakers, this is the most nerve-wracking part. In this episode, Matt Abrahams explores why Q&A can feel intimidating and how shifting your mindset can turn it into an opportunity rather than a challenge. Drawing from his book, Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, he shares expert-backed techniques for structuring responses, managing audience expectations, and maintaining composure under pressure. Whether you're facing a tough crowd or just want to refine your speaking skills, you’ll walk away with the confidence to command the room—no matter the question.Audio excerpt based on Speaking Up without Freaking Out by Matt Abrahams (printed book by Kendall Hunt Publishing 2016), read by the author. Copyright 2024 by Matthew Abrahams LLC.Episode Reference Links:Speaking Up Without Freaking Out | Audio Book Speaking Up Without Freaking Out Connect: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 >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:04) - The Challenge of Q&A (03:02) - Preparing for Q&A in Advance (03:42) - When to Take Questions (04:31) - How to Ask for Questions Effectively (05:34) - Audience Anxiety in Q&A (06:49) - Managing Questions Efficiently (07:50) - Answering Questions with Confidence (09:03) - The ADD Method for Answering Questions (10:16) - Closing Your Q&A with Impact (11:10) - Conclusion Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.   

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• 192. Quick Thinks: How to Supersize Your Stories

  How to craft compelling stories that captivate, inspire, and make an impact.Great storytelling isn't just about telling tales—it’s about crafting experiences that captivate, inspire, and drive change. In this special Quick Thinks bonus episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams welcomes bestselling author Dan Heath for a masterclass on the power of stories.Dan breaks down the elements of an impactful story, sharing a case study from his book Reset, outlining how to find compelling stories that connect with audiences, the structure of engaging narratives that keep people hooked, and the power of analogies and unexpected contrasts in storytelling.Get more done with Grammarly. Download Grammarly for free at grammarly.com/podcast.Episode Reference Links:Dan HeathDan’s Books: Reset: How to Change What's Not Working Ep.190 Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already WantEp.170 Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1Ep.171 Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2 Connect: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 >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:45) - A Story About Change: The Hospital Case Study (03:53) - Breaking Down the Elements of a Great Story (06:25) - Finding the Right Stories (08:11) - Crafting Stories with Purpose (09:44) - Conclusion   ********This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Download Grammarly for free today Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.  

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• 191. Memorable Messages: Choose Words That Capture Attention and Stay Remembered

  How to craft communication that your audience will remember.Why do some messages stick, while others go in one ear and out the other? When it comes to crafting memorable communication, Ada Aka says not all verbiage is created equal. “Certain words are intrinsically more memorable than others,” says Aka, an assistant professor of marketing at Stanford Graduate School of Business. In her research of consumer behavior and decision-making, she’s uncovered how language shapes not just our perception of the world, “but how the world stays with us over time." From concrete terms to emotionally charged ones, certain words have more staying power than others, and to communicators who want to capture audiences (and keep them), she says, “Carefully chosen words, they're going to be taking the attention.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Aka joins Matt Abrahams to explore the science of memorable communication. From creating brand slogans that stick to choosing words that align with your message, she reveals how to create communication that won't be forgotten.Episode Reference Links:Ada AkaEp.80 Magic Words: Change What You Say to Inspire and Influence Others Connect: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 >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:05) - The Power of Words in Memory (03:45) - What Makes Words Memorable? (06:04) - Informal and Conversational Language (07:38) - AI & Memory (09:34) - Memorable Slogans (11:26) - Predicting Memorability: Why We Get It Wrong (13:15) - Framing in Communication (15:24) - Creating Meaningful Interactions (17:34) - The Final Three Questions (22:21) - Conclusion  ********This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs.  Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. 

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• 190. Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already Want

  How to turn latent motivation into fuel for change.If you want to be a changemaker, you’ll have to convince others to join your cause. But according to Dan Heath, persuading your audience isn’t about creating new motivation — it’s about leveraging the motivation that’s already there.“The most important fuel for any change effort is motivation,” says Heath, the number-one New York Times bestselling author of Reset: How to Change What's Not Working. Instead of struggling to persuade people to want what you want, Heath suggests finding where your goals overlap with the things they already desire. "Before you even get to persuasion, if you can just tap and unleash the energy that's already there, you've already catapulted yourself toward success,” he says.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Heath and host Matt Abrahams explore how to create more compelling communication using “leverage points,” or as Heath says, “where a little bit of effort yields a disproportionate return.” Whether getting buy-in from one teammate or achieving change across an entire organization, Heath shares practical tips for turning latent motivation into an engine for change.Get more done with Grammarly. Download Grammarly for free at grammarly.com/podcast.Episode Reference Links:Dan HeathDan’s Book: Reset: How to Change What's Not Working Ep.164 Rethinks: Using "Pre-suasion" to Influence OthersEp.49 Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively  Connect: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 >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:14) - The Power of Storytelling (05:24) - Leverage Points for Change (08:47) - Wasted Resources & Motivation (12:00) - Latent Desire in Systems (14:08) - Communicating Progress (17:45) - The Final Three Questions (24:28) - Conclusion   ********This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Download Grammarly for free today Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.  

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