Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.​​ 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 Connections Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Introducing our new Premium membership, designed to enhance communication and career skills with expanded content and tools. Enjoy early access to live events, AMAs (Ask Matt Anything), eQuips—Essential Quick Insight Playlists—Extended Deep Thinks episodes, and the AI Chat Matt tool.The focus is on building a global community where members can connect, share insights, and receive feedback. A portion of membership fees will support charities dedicated to developing communication skills worldwide. Register before November 21st to receive a 25% discount and join the exclusive Founders Club.Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 Founder  Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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.Episode Reference Links:Jeff SmallEp.153 Listen Up, Leaders: A Record-Setting Coach’s Guide to CommunicationEp.35 Leading From The Hot Seat: How To Communicate Under PressureConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 Communication Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 Want Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 Others Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 Listening Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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.”Episode Reference Links: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 Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 situationsReference Links:Link to buy book in your country: Think Faster, Talk Smarter Ep.48 Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: How to Tackle Communication Anxiety Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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.

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 TeamsConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 / YouTubeConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“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 HeardConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(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

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost 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 ProcessThe design process, emphasizing desirability and externalizing ideas to understand them better.(00:03:32) Communication in DesignThe vital role of communication in all aspects of design.(00:05:09) Mistakes in Spatial DesignThe biggest mistake people make when arranging spaces for communication and interaction.(00:06:47) Runaway DesignThe concept of runaway design and its implications in the modern world.(00:09:29) Intangibles and ActionablesThe distinction between actionables and intangibles, and how these concepts can be applied beyond design.(00:12:47) Using Stories in DesignHow storytelling helps envision and communicate future impacts of design.(00:16:20) Emotion in InnovationThe role of emotions in driving innovation, communication, and design.(00:19:03) The Final Three QuestionsScott shares what he is currently designing, a communicator he admires, and his ingredients for successful communication.(00:23:17) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Dr. Susan Rice, former White House official and representative to the United Nations.(00:00:56) Leadership PrinciplesSusan discusses vision, direction, and the importance of people in leadership.(00:03:10) Giving and Receiving FeedbackImportance of direct communication and the value of constructive feedback.(00:05:01) Negotiation InsightsStrategies for understanding and leveraging positions in negotiations(00:06:50) Enjoyment of NegotiationThe skills and satisfaction involved in successful negotiations.(00:07:59) Standing OutAdvice for those who find themselves different from others in their professional environments.(00:10:33) The Final Three QuestionsSusan shares how she balances family political differences, communicators she admires, and ingredients for successful communication.(00:16:17) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium."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 / YouTube Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Jon Levin, Dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business.(00:01:33) Evolution of Communication in LeadershipHow Jon’s communication has evolved over his career.(00:03:30) Best Practices in Leadership CommunicationCommunicating with clarity during times of ambiguity and challenge.(00:06:16) The Future of Communication in BusinessThe role of communication in business leadership and education.(00:07:00) Teaching Capitalism Amid Societal IssuesHow Stanford GSB educates students on capitalism while addressing modern challenges.(00:10:35) Expanding Business EducationThe Stanford GSB’s initiatives to reach and educate a broader audience.(00:13:02) The Final Three QuestionsJohn shares his best communication advice, a communicator he admires and ingredients for successful communication. (00:15:17) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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 / YouTube Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Tara VanDerveer, former Stanford University basketball coach.(00:00:59) Building Trust and OpennessFostering an environment where players feel comfortable being challenged and pushing themselves.(00:01:52) Communicating Under PressureStrategies for speaking clearly and concisely during crucial moments in games.(00:05:24) Motivation and FocusMotivating a team during challenging times and keeping them focused after successes.(00:07:26) The Value of RoutineThe value and impact of routines in practice and performance.(00:09:01) Positive Feedback and PraiseBalancing constructive criticism with positive feedback to foster player growth.(00:10:46) Taking RisksInsights on taking risks in career and coaching strategies.(00:12:56) Dual Role of CoachingThe dual role of a coach in ensuring both athletic and personal growth for players.(00:14:11) Handling Turnover and OnboardingManaging player turnover and integrating new team members.(00:16:39) Managing EmotionsTechniques for staying calm and focused during high-emotion situations.(00:17:55) Handling Mistakes and Staying PositiveMethods for helping players move past mistakes and stay focused.(00:19:35) Equity in SportsAddressing and advocating for equity between women's and men's sports.(00:21:21) Final Three QuestionsTara shares how to accept praise, two communicators she admires, and her recipe for successful communication.(00:26:30) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“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 >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionMatt 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 ConfidenceThree immediate strategies for reducing anxiety right before speaking.(00:31:53) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Whether winning over a hiring manager or winning new business, career success often hinges on how we communicate. That’s why Andrew Seaman is on a mission to help people find the words that work — to get work.Seaman is the senior managing editor for jobs and career development at LinkedIn, and as the creator and host of the Get Hired podcast and newsletter, he helps millions hone communication skills to land the jobs they want. According to him, getting opportunities isn’t just about experience or connections, but how we frame and present our personal and professional narratives. With a standard resume, he says, “You're making them connect the dots. And people are not good at that.” Instead, he recommends crafting a story that explains where you’ve been, where you are, and where you hope to go. “Connect the dots for them,” he says, “so they're not viewing you as a person who has bounced around. They're thinking, this person has had a cohesive career.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Seaman and host Matt Abrahams explore tools for navigating the interview process, networking on and offline, and communication strategies to get hired.Episode Reference Links:Andrew SeamanAndrew’s Podcast: Get HiredEp.118 Maximizing Your Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You Want Ep.147 Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can BeEp.62 Best Of: Summer Learning Series, How Humor Can Be a Secret Weapon in CommunicationConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Andrew Seaman, Senior Managing Editor for Jobs and Career Development at LinkedIn.(00:00:57) Importance of Online PresenceThe significance of maintaining an online presence and tips on optimizing LinkedIn profiles.(00:01:52) Posting on LinkedInThe frequency and type of posts on LinkedIn, balancing professional and personal content.(00:03:41) Commenting vs. PostingAdvice on adding value through comments and engaging with posts.(00:05:12) Interview PresenceThe importance of presence in interviews, sharing examples of making good and bad impressions.(00:06:59) Recovering from Bad ImpressionsThe challenges and possibilities of recovering from a poor first impression in an interview setting.(00:07:48) Interviewing from the Interviewer's PerspectiveTips for hiring managers on how to conduct effective interviews and evaluate candidates.(00:10:25) Challenging Interview QuestionsThe appropriateness and benefits of challenging candidates during interviews to assess their fit and preparedness.(00:11:44) Best Practices for IntervieweesStrategies for interviewees to prepare and effectively answer questions, using the ADD method.(00:13:58) Handling Spontaneity in InterviewsPreparing for interviews when time is limited and the importance of flexibility and adaptability.(00:17:17) Following Up After InterviewsBest practices for following up after an interview to leave a positive impression.(00:19:43) Broader Career AdviceLeveraging online communities and tools for career growth, emphasizing networking.(00:22:14) The Final Three QuestionsAndrew shares his favorite response to an interview question, a communicator he admires, and three ingredients for successful communication.(00:25:31) Conclusion (00:00) - Introduction (01:32) - Importance of Online Presence (02:27) - Posting on LinkedIn (04:16) - Commenting vs. Posting (05:47) - Interview Presence (07:34) - Recovering from Bad Impressions (08:23) - Interviewing from the Interviewer's Perspective (11:00) - Challenging Interview Questions (12:19) - Best Practices for Interviewees (14:33) - Handling Spontaneity in Interviews (17:52) - Following Up After Interviews (20:18) - Broader Career Advice (22:49) - The Final Three Questions (26:06) - Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Sometimes, what’s communicated to us can have a big impact on how we communicate to others. This episode explores some of the best communication advice — from experts and Think Fast, Talk Smart listeners around the world.As teachers of Strategic Communication, lecturers Shawon Jackson and Matt Abrahams have plenty of advice on how to be a better communicator. But in this 150th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, the two don’t just discuss the communication strategies they share with students in their class, they also feature communication advice from listeners of the podcast.Covering topics like knowing your audience, using transitions to tie together different ideas, and embracing the power of silence, Jackson and Abrahams unpack good advice for good communication in this celebratory episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Shawon Jackson Shawon’s Educational Program: Vocal JusticeConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode 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 joins guest Shawon Jackson, a lecturer at Stanford GSB, for the 150th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart.(00:01:25) The Role of Effective TransitionsThe importance of transitions in communication, and an outline of four key types.(00:04:11) Techniques for Using SlidesAdvice on creating effective presentation slides, emphasizing story first and less is more.(00:07:23) Listener Advice: Knowing Your AudienceListeners Kevin Weinstein and Kesinee Angkustsiri Yip share the importance of knowing your audience.(00:08:34) Techniques for Understanding Your AudiencePractical techniques for understanding your audience(00:10:49) Listener Advice: The Power of SilenceListener Ashita Tenki shares advice on the power of silence in communication.(00:11:22) Practicing Silence in CommunicationThe benefits of holding silence and techniques for making it more comfortable.(00:12:45) Addressing Communication Pet PeevesShawon and Matt share communication pet peeves, and discuss best practices.(00:16:07) Listener Advice on the Importance of ListeningListener Digant Dave highlights listening as a critical communication tool.(00:17:07) Strategies for Effective Listening [00:17:54 - 00:18:19]The importance of listening for both content and emotional context in communication.(00:19:39) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“What people regret over time are things they didn’t do. They didn’t take that trip, they didn’t ask that person out on a date. They didn’t start that business,” says former political speechwriter and author Dan Pink. “I think it’s because we are slightly over-indexed on risk. We overstate the risk in many circumstances.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams sits down with Pink to hear how we can take more risks and how leaders can inspire others by focusing on the why instead of the how. “There’s almost incontrovertible evidence that a sense of purpose is the most cost-effective performance enhancer that organizations have,” Pink says.Episode Reference Links:Dan Pink: WebsiteBooks: The Power of Regret, DriveOriginal Episode: Ep.92 No Regrets: How to Take Risks in Your Communication, Relationships, and CareerEp.103 Simple Is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to Any AudienceEp.80 Magic Words: Change What You Say to Inspire and Influence OthersConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Dan Pink, a NYT bestselling author and former political speechwriter.(00:01:17) Lessons from Political SpeechwritingInsights from Dan’s experience as a political speechwriter.(00:03:58) Speak Like a HumanThe necessity of authentic communication and the power of speaking naturally and directly.(00:07:57) The Role of Immediacy in CommunicationHow immediacy can enhance connection and engagement in communication.(00:09:24) Problem Finding vs. Problem-SolvingThe value of identifying hidden problems in persuasive communication and sales.(00:11:21) Understanding and Harnessing PurposeHow purpose enhances motivation and performance in work and life.(00:15:11) Communication, Risk, and RegretThe impact of perceived versus actual risk in communication and decision-making.(00:20:16) Timing and Breaks for Enhanced PerformanceOptimizing performance through strategic timing and the importance of taking breaks.(00:22:41) The Final Three QuestionDan shares communication advice, a communicator he admires, and three ingredients for successful communication.(00:25:39) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In our personal and professional lives, some conversations are harder than others. To navigate the difficulties of discussing what matters most, Professor Irv Grousbeck says we need the right balance of conviction and compassion.At both Stanford Graduate School of Business and Stanford School of Medicine, Grousbeck teaches courses on managing difficult conversations. He equips students with skills to be direct while being respectful, to be strong while being warm, and to resist any urge to beat around the bush. "Directness, with respect, is essential,” he says. "So many of our students feel that if you're direct with someone, somehow that's harsh. The art of good conversation management, I think, does involve directness and respect at the same time."In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Grousbeck and host Matt Abrahams explore practical tips and strategies for navigating difficult conversations, from the importance of listening and pausing, to the value of rehearsing your words in advance.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: H. Irving GrousbeckIrv’s Book: New Business Ventures and the Entrepreneur Center for Entrepreneurial Studies | Stanford Graduate School of BusinessConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Irv Grousbeck, lecturer at Stanford GSB, and co-founder and co-director of the GSB Center for Entrepreneurial Studies.(00:01:04) Ingredients for Entrepreneurial SuccessThe importance of being an opportunity finder and getting comfortable with the domain you are in.(00:02:38) Myths About EntrepreneurshipDispelling common myths about entrepreneurs.(00:03:30) Can Entrepreneurs Be Made?The potential for anyone to become an entrepreneur through hard work and exposure.(00:04:07) Challenges in CommunicationThe most difficult communication challenges students face and tips to handle these situations.(00:06:19) Imposter SyndromeDealing with imposter syndrome and advice on how to handle and overcome it.(00:07:38) Managing Difficult ConversationsManage challenging communication by starting conversations effectively and using collaborative language.(00:10:15) Role-Playing ScenarioA role-playing exercise to demonstrate how to handle a challenging conversation.(00:17:37) The Value of ListeningThe importance of listening in crucial conversations and advice on how to listen more effectively.(00:18:58)  Career AdviceAdvice on career planning, emphasizing the importance of context and strategic thinking.(00:21:57) The Final Three QuestionsIrv shares what he has learned from his students, a communicator he admires, and the key ingredients for successful communication.(00:26:02)  Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Innovation and disruption aren’t just for organizations. According to Whitney Johnson, we can find new possibilities for personal and professional growth — by disrupting ourselves.As an executive coach, author, and podcaster, Johnson teaches people how to level up their lives and careers through the power of personal disruption. Her book, Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work, reveals how shaking things up enables us to break free of the constraints we might not even know we’re imposing on ourselves. “Personal disruption [is] a process of deliberate self-innovation; a decision to step back from who you are to slingshot into who you can be,” she explains.In this Think Fast, Talk Smart episode with host Matt Abrahams, Johnson offers strategies for tailoring messages to different audiences, reveals the key ingredients for successful communication, and explains how disrupting yourself can open new doors and help you reach your full potential.Episode Reference Links:Whitney Johnson: Website Whitney’s Books: Website Whitney’s Podcast: Disrupt Yourself Podcast Lindsay McMahon’s Podcast: All Ears English Podcast Clayton Christensen’s Book: The Innovator's DilemmaEp.118 Maximizing Your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You WantEp.138 Speak Your Truth: Why Authenticity Leads to Better CommunicationConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces Whitney Johnson, keynote speaker and executive coach.(00:01:25) The Concept of DisruptionThe definition of disruption, and the benefits of personal disruption and self-innovation.(00:02:48) Identifying and Leveraging Distinctive StrengthsHow to identify distinctive strengths through observing frustrations, listening to compliments, and valuing inherent skills.(00:06:11) The S Curve of LearningThe S curve model, its stages, and how it relates to personal and organizational growth.(00:11:56) Tenacity and Tolerance in Personal DisruptionThe importance of tenacity, and the ability to tolerate ambiguity and failure during the disruptive process.(00:13:35) Encouraging Disruptive Ideas in OrganizationsStrategies for leaders to foster a culture that encourages disruptive ideas and constructive dialogue within teams.(00:17:00) The Final Three QuestionsWhitney shares how she tailors her communication for varying audiences, a communicator she admires, and her recipe for successful communication.(00:22:30) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Stress can get in the way of our communication with others. To manage our stress, psychologist Jenny Taitz says, we first need to adjust the conversations that we have with ourselves.Taitz is an assistant clinical professor in psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the author of several books, including Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes. According to her, much of the stress we experience is self-created through negative thought patterns and harsh self-criticism. “We're doing this to ourselves all the time,” she says. But as we become aware of these unhelpful mental loops, Taitz’ “resets” can help us disrupt them and reframe self-talk in more productive waysIn addition to changing our self-talk, Taitz offers tools for refreshing our communication with others. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, she and host Matt Abrahams explore her G.I.V.E. framework — how being gentle, interested, validating, and easy-mannered equips us for more positive conversations with ourselves and othersEpisode Reference Links:Jenny Taitz: Website Jenny’s Book: Stress Resets Communicator Jenny admires: Sharon Salzberg Ep.69 Feeling Nervous? How Anxiety Can Fuel Better CommunicationEp.122 How To Be More Confident and Calm in Your Communication: Managing the "ABC’s" of Communication Anxiety Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Jenny Taitz, a clinical psychologist and an assistant clinical professor in psychiatry at UCLA.(00:00:51) Understanding the Stress CycleExplanation of the stress cycle, highlighting common mistakes in stress management.(00:02:38) Practical Tips for Managing StressAdvice on resetting the mind, body, and behavior to manage stress more effectively.(00:05:50) Addressing Overthinking and RuminationTechniques for reducing overthinking and rumination, and recognizing and redirecting unproductive thought patterns.(00:08:45) Swapping "Why" for "How"Benefits of changing one's internal dialogue from "why" to "how" questions, facilitating a more proactive and less stressful mindset.(00:10:56) Communicating EmpathyIntroduction to the GIVE acronym, a method to help improve empathetic communication.(00:12:58) The Final Three QuestionsJenny shares her personal methods for managing stress, a communicator she admires, and three ingredients for successful communication.(00:17:33) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-or-lose battle, we’re already showing resistance, and setting ourselves up for difficulty. But what if you reframed the whole idea, to think of a negotiation not as a fight, but as a problem-solving exercise involving emotions?In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams speaks with Stanford GSB Professor Emeritus Margaret Neale about what she has learned in her decades of researching negotiation and the steps that lead to more collaborative problem-solving. Listen as Neale shares tips on how to approach negotiations with intention, and what strategies can help us more easily communicate our wants and needs. She is the coauthor of Getting (More of) What You Want: How the Secrets of Economics and Psychology Can Help You Negotiate Anything, in Business and in Life.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Margaret Ann Neale Maggie’s Book: Getting (More of) What You WantOriginal Episode: Ep.15 The Art of Negotiation: How to Get More of What You WantConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Maggie Neale, the Adams Distinguished Professor of Management Emerita at Stanford GSB(00:01:22) Definition of NegotiationNegotiation as collaborative problem-solving, emphasizing mutual benefit over adversarial tactics(00:04:28) Planning and PreparationStrategies for preparing for negotiations, including understanding alternatives and setting a reservation price.(00:08:41) Structuring Negotiation MessagesStructuring negotiation messages, including the concept of chunking multiple issues together.(00:10:17) Role of Emotion in Negotiation How different emotions influence thinking and the importance of managing emotions in negotiation.(00:11:31) Best Communication AdviceMaggie shares her best communication advice, a communicator she admires, and ingredients for successful communication.(00:14:34) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Many of us would rank getting along with colleagues as an important aspect of work, but, as Amy Gallo explains, relationships devoid of disagreement can actually be less productive. “While our natural human instinct is to avoid conflict, I believe that conflicts are not only an inevitable part of interacting with other humans, but they're a necessary part.”Gallo is a workplace expert, host of HBR’s Women at Work podcast, and the author of Getting Along: How to Work With Anyone. Across her work, Gallo touts that the key to transforming conflicts into something productive is to understand its root cause and learn how to reframe them. “Even at the base of those unhealthy conflicts or those unproductive conflicts is something that needs to be resolved,” she says. In her conversation with host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams, Gallo provides useful frameworks and new concepts on how we can approach conflicts at work.  Episode Reference Links:Amy Gallo: Website Amy Gallo’s Books: Website Amy Gallo’s Podcast: Women at WorkEp.132 Lean Into Failure: How to Make Mistakes That WorkConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionMatt Abrahams introduces guest Amy Gallo, a workplace expert on communication and conflict.(00:01:00) The Role of Conflict in the WorkplaceThe benefits of conflict in professional settings and why not having enough conflict can be detrimental.(00:02:26) Facilitating Effective ConflictStrategies for creating productive conflict and the importance of normalizing conflict.(00:04:45) Frameworks for Navigating Unhealthy ConflictDetailed framework for addressing and transforming unhealthy conflicts into productive discussions.(00:11:56) The Power of Workplace FriendshipsHow workplace friendships can enhance job performance and personal satisfaction.(00:14:01) Balancing Friendships and Professional BoundariesAdvice on maintaining effective relationships without compromising professional integrity or favoritism.(00:16:53) The Final Three QuestionsAmy shares a conflict she handled effectively, a communicator she admires, and her recipe for successful communication.(00:20:01) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In choosing who to date, what job to pursue, or how to invest our money, most people are just looking for a reason to move forward. But according to Professor Ilya Strebulaev, we should be looking for something else: a reason to bail."The smartest venture capitalists ask a very different question from what most of us ask," says Strebulaev. Instead of asking “‘Why should we invest?’, venture capitalists approach every new opportunity with [the] question: Why should we not proceed?” This contrarian mindset is at the heart of Strebulaev's new book The Venture Mindset, which reveals how the strategies of top VCs can help anyone make sharper decisions. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Strebulaev joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss how the venture mindset can help anyone — investor or not — weigh alternatives, make decisions, and move forward without looking back.Episode Reference Links:Ilya Strebulaev: Website Stanford Profile: WebsiteIlya’s Book: The Venture Mindset Venture Capital InitiativeArticle Ilya & Alex Dang wrote: 3 Things VCs Do That Can Help You Land Your Dream Job After Getting Laid Off Ilya’s co-teacher for his Venture Capital class: Brian Jacobs Ep.41 Speak Like a Founder: How Successful Entrepreneurs Communicate to Their TeamsEp.56 Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really StickConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Ilya Strebulaev, founder of the GSB's Venture Capital Initiative and professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business.(00:00:53) The Venture MindsetInsights into the venture mindset as a new mental model for making smarter, quicker decisions.(00:02:22) Embracing FailureHow venture capitalists embrace and learn from failure to achieve success.(00:05:21) Decision-Making in Venture CapitalA unique approach to decision making based on what successful venture capitalists do.(00:07:34) Applying Venture Principles in Personal and Professional LifeVenture mindset principles that can help individuals in job transitions and personal growth.(00:10:05) Lessons from Teaching Venture CapitalIlya outlines key takeaways he hopes his students learn from his class, including thinking differently and networking effectively.(00:13:25) Passionate CommunicationUsing descriptive language to engage others, including mixing familiar terms with unique ones to enhance communication about passions(00:15:29) The Final Three QuestionsIlya shares how he has grown from writing his book, a communicator he admires, and three ingredients for successful communication.(00:18:59) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.A special live edition from the Me2We event at Stanford, where strategic communications expert and podcast host Matt Abrahams joins four distinguished faculty members from Stanford Graduate School of Business:Michelle Gelfand explores the dynamics of cross-cultural organizational behavior.Brian Lowery discusses the societal implications of racial perceptions.Deborah Gruenfeld reveals insights into power dynamics and personal presence.Zakary Tormala delves into the nuances of persuasive language.Episode Reference Links:Michelle Gelfand: WebsiteMichelle Gelfand Stanford Profile: Website Michelle Gelfand’s Book: Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our World Michelle Gelfand's Tight-Loose QuizBrian Lowery: Website Brian Lowery’s Stanford Profile: Website Brian Lowery’s Book: Selfless: The Social Creation of "You" Brian Lowery’s Podcast: Know What You See Deborah Gruenfeld’s Stanford Profile: Website Deborah Gruenfeld’s Book: Acting With Power: Why We Are More Powerful Than We Believe Zak Tormala’s Stanford Profile: Website Ep.67 What is Normal? How Culture Affects Communication Styles YouTube / Website Ep.84 Quick Thinks: How Others Define Us YouTube / Website Ep.11 The Science of Influence: How to Persuade Others and Hold Their Attention YouTube / Website Ep.12 It’s Not What You Say It’s How You Say It: How to Communicate Power Youtube / WebsiteConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionProducer Jenny Luna and host Matt Abrahams introduce a live episode featuring four Stanford GSB faculty members.(00:01:40) Navigating Conflicts and Negotiations in Diverse SettingsMichelle Gelfand discusses managing conflicts and negotiations in broader societal and cultural contexts.(00:04:51) Understanding and Managing DiversityBrian Lowery introduces the Stanford Institute on Race and outlines strategies for leaders to foster inclusivity and manage diverse workforces.(00:07:57) Dynamics of Power and InfluenceDeborah Gruenfeld shares the implications of power dynamics and how they shift from virtual to in-person interactions.(00:14:04) Persuasion and Effective CommunicationZakary Tormala gives insight into the use of pronouns in persuasive communication and the impact of language in shaping audience engagement.(00:18:44) Acting with Power in InteractionsDeborah Gruenfeld discusses her ongoing research on how power dynamics influence investor decisions in startup teams.(00:20:47) The Pursuit of MeaningfulnessBrian Lowery talks about his current focus on what makes life meaningful.(00:24:14) Cultural Tightness and LoosenessMichelle Gelfand explains her research on how cultures manage norms and rules, and the concept of "tight" and "loose" cultures.(00:28:52) Persuasive CommunicationZakary Tormala shares insights from his latest research on framing effects in communication.(00:32:13) Participant ReflectionsA Stanford LEAD participant shares experiences from Brian Lowery's class, emphasizing the importance of perspective-taking and trust in leadership.(00:33:15) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.So you want to lead your team toward innovation. Does that require that you know where you’re going? Not according to Linda Hill.Hill is a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School whose research focuses on leadership and how organizations achieve innovation. When it comes to generating breakthrough ideas, Hill says it’s less about a creative vision and more about stepping into the unknown. “Innovation [is] not about an individual coming up with a new idea,” she says. “Instead, innovation is the result of the collaboration of people with diverse expertise and diverse perspectives coming together, being able to collaborate, being able to experiment together and learn.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Hill and host Matt Abrahams discuss how leaders can foster cultures and environments where innovation thrives — where teams use communication and collaboration to “co-create the future.”Episode Reference Links:Harvard Business School Profile: Website Linda's books: Collective Genius: The Art and Practice of Leading Innovation Being the Boss, with a New Preface: The 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader Becoming a Manager: How New Managers Master the Challenges of Leadership Linda’s article on the value of collaboration & conflict: Collective Genius Communicator Linda admires: Vineet Nayar + Employees First, Customers Second Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Linda Hill, an expert in leadership development and innovation from Harvard Business School.(00:01:10) Leading for Innovation vs. Leading for ChangeFundamental differences between leading for innovation and for change, and the unique challenges required for innovation.(00:02:53) Creating a Culture of InnovationThe essential components of a culture that promotes innovation, with focus on communication and collaboration.(00:06:21) The Role of Shared Values and Purpose in InnovationShared values, and the distinction between vision and purpose within innovative organizations.(00:09:43) Communication's Impact on InnovationHow effective communication facilitates innovation, including strategies for engaging diverse teams and the significance of storytelling.(00:14:30) Conflict and Creativity in Collaborative EnvironmentsThe value of conflict in innovation, and how managing disagreements and diverse viewpoints can lead to more creative solutions.(00:16:06) The Final Three QuestionsLinda Hill shares practices to foster collaboration with others, a communicator she admires, and her ingredients for successful communication.(00:19:54) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Preparing to speak in front of a skeptical audience is more than thinking about objections beforehand – there are specific techniques you can use to respond to these challenging situations without sounding defensive, evasive, or dismissive. Here, we offer a few key tips for how to handle skepticism with aplomb.In this podcast, host Matt Abrahams and Stanford GSB lecturer Burt Alper share how to prepare for these challenges from your audience and discuss the importance of tactics like acknowledging audience input, reframing responses, and how to remain cool, collected, and credible.Episode Reference Links:Burt Alper: WebsiteStanford Profile: Website Ep.102 Create a Presence: How to Communicate in a Way Others Can Feel: Website / YouTube Ep.70 Keep ’Em Coming: Why Your First Ideas Aren’t Always the Best: Website / YouTube Original Episode - Ep.5 From Monologue to Dialogue: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience: Website / YouTubeConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces the episode and guest Burt Alper, a fellow strategic communication lecturer at Stanford GSB(00:00:55) Handling Direct ObjectionsConfronting direct objections during presentations, particularly in professional settings like executive meetings or at the GSB.(00:02:37) Preparation for ObjectionsThe importance of preparation when anticipating objections and strategies for foreseeing potential pushbacks.(00:03:50) Emotional vs. Logical ObjectionsDistinctions between emotional and logical objections and how these types of objections manifest in conversations.(00:06:09) The Power of ReframingThe technique of reframing in objection handling and altering the context of a conversation to address concerns without conceding.(00:08:17) The Role of ParaphrasingParaphrasing as a critical skill for clarifying and addressing objections, with the benefits of accurately restating concerns to ensure mutual understanding.(00:12:11) The Final Three QuestionsBurt Alper shares the best communication advice he’s received, a communicator he admires, and his ingredients for successful communication.(00:14:55) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Whether you're looking to boost your productivity, find more joy in your work, or simply be more present in the moment, you need flow — and research by Assistant Professor David Melnikoff could help you find it.Melnikoff investigates how we pursue our goals, and how flow — the state of being totally immersed and engaged in what we’re doing — can help us achieve them. According to him, flow isn’t necessarily about enjoying a task or activity for its own sake, but more about the process of discovery that unfolds as we take action in the face of uncertainty. “The source of flow is engaging in an activity that allows you to reduce uncertainty about your future, engaging in actions that reduce possible future outcomes, or ideally, eliminate all possible future outcomes except for one,” he says. With each action that we take, the path before us narrows, leading us more directly to the goal that we’ve set.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Melnikoff shares why uncertainty presents us with the opportunity to step into the flow state, to experience more focus and engagement, and to supercharge our goal pursuit and performanceEpisode Reference Links:David Melnikoff: WebsiteDr. Laurie Santos (Communicator Melnikoff admires) The Happiness Lab Podcast — Dr. Laurie Santos (Podcast of communicator Melnikoff admires) Ep.59 From Dreaming to Doing: How We Set and Achieve Goals Website / YouTube Ep.104 How to Change: Building Better Habits and Behaviors (And Getting Out of Your Own Way Website / YouTubeConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abraham welcomes guest David Melnikoff, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at Stanford GSB and an expert on flow and goal achievement.(00:00:40) Understanding Flow and Its BenefitsThe definition of flow and the reversal of the usual dynamic of goal pursuit.(00:02:20) Achieving and Maintaining FlowMisconceptions about achieving flow and the role of reducing uncertainty in engaging activities. (00:06:22) Flow in Business and LeadershipApplying flow principles to business, emphasizing the structuring of tasks and goals to induce flow through uncertainty reduction. (00:08:39) Personal Applications of Flow for Goal PursuitHow to utilize flow principles to set and achieve goals with advice on framing tasks to maximize uncertainty and flow. (00:11:03) Collaborative Flow and CommunicationThe potential for shared flow experiences in collaborative settings and the role of communication in facilitating flow.(00:13:05) Goal Setting and Achievement AdviceAdvice on goal setting, advocating for goals with a degree of uncertainty to enhance engagement and likelihood of entering a flow state.(00:14:43) The Final Three QuestionsDavid Melnikoff shares how he invites flow into his life, a communicator he admires, and his recipe for communication.(00:16:17) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.From the way you communicate, to the way build your life and career, Graham Weaver, MBA ’99, says it’s about “giving yourself permission to fully be yourself. You can never go wrong when you’re saying your truth.”Weaver is a lecturer in management, a GSB alum, and the founder and a partner of Alpine Investors. He stresses the importance of direct communication, highlighting how avoiding it can lead to wasted time, energy, and even financial losses. Reflecting on his own experiences in private equity, Weaver admits to struggling with being conflict-averse and not speaking his truth directly, which resulted in getting into bad deals and big losses for his company. “People think that by being indirect, they’re being kind, but all they're doing is creating confusion,” he says. “Clarity is compassionate. Even if it's not what they want to hear, the more direct and clear you can be, the more compassionate that is for the other person.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Weaver and host Matt Abrahams explore how being true to oneself not only fosters personal fulfillment but also enables us to show up better for others. Authenticity and self-belief lay the foundation for effective communication, leadership, and ultimately, success.Episode Reference Links:Graham Weaver: WebsiteLast Lecture Series: How to Live an Asymmetric Life (Link to Graham’s Last Lecture)H. Irving Grousbeck (Stanford profile of Graham’s mentor and communicator he most admires)Ep.82 - It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others First YouTube / Website Ep.118 - Maximizing Your Personal Brand: Communicating Who You Are to Help Get What You Want YouTube / WebsiteConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionMatt Abrahams introduces guest Graham Weaver, a Stanford alum and lecturer in management at GSB.(00:0:43) Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills in BusinessHow skills like understanding personal dreams and overcoming limiting beliefs play a critical role in business success.(00:04:58) Living an Asymmetrical LifeLiving an asymmetrical life, including the importance of doing hard things, pursuing your passions, committing long-term, and writing your own story.(00:10:10) Lessons from Taylor SwiftBusiness and personal inspiration from Taylor Swift's response to professional setbacks, highlighting her work ethic and resilience.(00:13:04) Personal Growth and EnlightenmentGraham’s journey towards enlightenment and the practices he adopts to improve his personal and professional life.(00:16:08) The Final Three QuestionsGraham shares what differentiates an exceptional from average leader, a communicator he admires and his ingredients for successful communication.(00:21:05) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.If communication is like painting, words are the primary colors. But to convey deeper meaning, we need a broader color palette, which Dana Carney says requires the mastery of nonverbal communication.We often focus on the words that we say when honing our communication, but according to Carney, there are many instances “where nonverbals start to be more meaningful than verbals.” A professor at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and the George Quist Chair in Business Ethics, Carney researches the nonverbal ways in which we communicate our biases, our preferences, our power, and our status.As Carney explores in her forthcoming book, The Five Nonverbal Rules of Power, there are several key areas of nonverbal behavior that we need to grasp in order to fully tap our potential as communicators. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, she and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to read the nonverbal communication of others — and how to gain control of the nonverbals we express to the world.Episode Reference Links:Dana Carney: WebsiteEp.12 - It’s Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How to Communicate Power Website / YouTube Ep.16 - How to Craft Your Body Language When Confronting Objections Website / YouTube Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionMatt Abrahams introduces guest Dana Carney, an expert in nonverbal communication.(00:01:12) Understanding Nonverbal CommunicationFoundational aspects of nonverbal communication, dividing it into perception and expression, and emphasizing the importance of facial expressions and body language.(00:02:11) The Nonverbal Rules of PowerHow nonverbal communication influences perceptions of power and status and the concept of the "five nonverbal rules of power".(00:04:37) Cultural and Contextual VariationsThe impact of culture and context on nonverbal cues, discussing how cultural differences can alter the interpretation of behaviors such as eye contact and proximity.(00:08:10) The Balance Between Verbal and Nonverbal CommunicationVerbal versus nonverbal communication and its significance especially in contexts where honesty or bias might be in question.(00:09:15) Achieving Communication Goals Through NonverbalsHow understanding nonverbal cues can help individuals achieve specific social interaction goals.(0012:51) Enhancing Nonverbal Communication SkillsPractical advice for becoming more aware of one's nonverbal communication, including self-observation and seeking feedback from others.(00:16:13) The Final Three QuestionsDana shares a nonverbal behavior that demonstrates confidence, a communicator she admires, and her recipe for successful communication.(00:21:09) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Disagreement and conflict may look the same on the surface, but the two concepts are, in fact, very different. According to Julia Minson, knowing how these notions differ is crucial to how you approach them. In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Minson and strategic communication lecturer Matt Abrahams delve into the intricacies of conflict and disagreement. Minson, an associate professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and Stanford University alumna, also shares her expertise on decision-making and conflict negotiation. Minson emphasizes the need for genuine curiosity and receptiveness in communication to foster productive dialogue.Episode Reference Links:Julia Minson: WebsiteUnderestimating Counterparts’ Learning Goals Impairs Conflictual Conversations (Julia’s study about people’s goals when talking to those they disagree with)To have better disagreements, change your words (Article by Julia about HEAR)Ep.30 - Dissolve Disagreements: How Communication Impacts Conflict: Website / YouTube Ep.72 - Quick Thinks: Talk it Out - How to Successfully Negotiate and Resolve Conflict: Website / YouTubeConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionMatt introduces guest Julia Minson, who is an expert in decision-making, conflict negotiation, and the psychology of disagreement.(00:00:54) Journey into Conflict and Disagreement ResearchJulia gives insight into her background and what led her to research disagreement and conflict.(00:01:55) Distinguishing Between Disagreement and ConflictThe difference between disagreement and conflict, and why understanding this distinction is crucial for effective communication.(00:04:12) Strategies for Disagreeing BetterPractical advice on how to disagree constructively without escalating to conflict, focusing on expressing and acting with curiosity.(00:07:05) Demonstrating Curiosity and Conversational ReceptivenessTactics for showing curiosity and conversational receptiveness, including using the HEAR acronym to maintain constructive dialogues.(00:14:38) Managing ConflictManaging and navigating conflict, emphasizing emotional readiness and the importance of choosing battles wisely.(00:18:25) The Final Three QuestionsJulia shares personal experiences with conflict and disagreement, a communicator she admires, and her recipe for successful communication.(00:22:48) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Why deep connection with others starts by connecting more deeply with ourselves.How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question more often — and be more precise in how we answer it.Teoh is a facilitator of the course Interpersonal Dynamics, one of Stanford Graduate School of Business’s most iconic classes. In her work with students and as a CEO coach, Teoh encourages people to get better acquainted with their feelings. “Feelings are data,” she says. “In the rest of our logical lives, we would never make decisions on bad or highly abstract data. But we’ll do that with feelings.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast, Teoh and host Matt Abrahams discuss how developing greater emotional awareness can help us achieve more agency and empathy in our personal and professional lives.Episode Reference Links:Celine Teoh: WebsiteInterpersonal Dynamics (Program at GSB Celine facilitates)Connect - Building Exceptional Relationships (Book by Carol Robin that Celine recommends)The Gottman Institute (Website for John Gottman, whose research Celine mentions and is referenced in the Interpersonal Dynamics course)Ep.77 - All the Feels: The Personal and Professional Power of Emotional Awareness:  YouTube / WebsiteConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Celine Teoh and the episodes' focus on the value of emotions in communication.(00:01:09) Discovering Self Through Interpersonal DynamicsOverview of the Interpersonal Dynamics course at Stanford GSB, also known as "touchy feely"(00:03:48) Integrating “Touchy Feely” in Logical and Action-Oriented EnvironmentsIncorporating empathy and emotional connection in organizations that prioritize logic and action.(00:05:47) Enhancing Connection and EmpathyAdvice on building connections with others, including the importance of being clear and embracing vulnerability.(00:08:36) Managing Conflict with EmpathyApproaching challenges and conflict at work in a way that maintains and strengthens relationships.(00:11:29) Enhancing Empathy, Feedback, and Communication SkillsGuidance for improving empathy, seeking feedback, and honing communication skills.(00:13:52) The Final Three QuestionsCeline Teoh shares the best communication advice she has received, a communicator she admires, and outlines her first three ingredients for successful communication.(00:17:07) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Leveraging AI to unlock new levels of creativity and communication innovationJoin Matt Abrahams with creativity and innovation experts Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar to explore the transformative potential of AI in the realms of creativity and problem-solving. If you treat artificial intelligence like an oracle, you’ll likely be disappointed. But if you treat it like a teammate, Utley and Gohar say you’ll be surprised just how helpful a collaborator it can be.Utley, an adjunct professor at the Stanford d.school, and Gohar, a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and futurist, have researched how teams can integrate AI into existing workflows to generate more creative ideas and streamline problem-solving. As they’ve found, large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT can be powerful tools for innovation. But without knowing how to implement them, “Most teams leave the vast majority of their innovation potential on the table,” Utley says. In a new white paper, he and Gohar illuminate the path teams can take to use generative AI as a “conversation partner” and transform their brainstorming efforts as a result.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Utley and Gohar discuss how innovators can stop viewing AI as a magic 8-ball, and start treating it as a companion — one ready to roll up its sleeves and dig deep for new ideas.Episode Reference Links:Jeremy Utley: WebsiteJeremy's book: IdeaflowKian Gohar: Website + GeolabKian's book: Competing In The New World Of WorkFIXITHBR article by Jeremy and Kian: Don’t Let Gen AI Limit Your Team’s CreativityEp.70 - Ideas Fuel Innovation: Why Your First Ideas Aren’t Always the BestEp.77 - Quick Thinks: AI Has Entered the ChatCommunicators Kian admires:Peggy Noonan + Declarations at The Wall Street Journal Sam Horn + Tongue Fu!: How to Deflect, Disarm, and Defuse Any Verbal ConflictConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode 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 guests Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar, and their respective books.(00:01:02) Motivation Behind the Study on AI's ImpactAI's impact on creativity and problem-solving, including an experiment involving human ideation with and without AI assistance.(00:03:32) Research Findings on AI and InnovationSpecific practices to effectively use AI in teams for idea generation and the counterintuitive feelings associated with AI-assisted work.(00:04:37) The Counterintuitive Nature of AI AssistanceWhy teams that used AI effectively felt worse about their work, and the importance of adjusting work processes to incorporate AI as a collaborative tool.(00:07:59) The FIXIT Methodology for AI CollaborationThe FIXIT methodology, a five-step process to enhance collaboration with AI.(00:12:29) Enhancing Conversations with AIImproving conversations with AI, including using audio messages for interaction and exploring different large language models for varied inputs.(00:17:45) The Final Three QuestionsJeremy Utley offers a starting point for individuals new to ChatGPT, and Kian Gohar shares two communicators he admires and his three ingredients for successful communication.(00:22:57) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.The ways supercommunicators operate and how to emulate their techniques.Across more than 130 episodes, Think Fast, Talk Smart has touched a lot on what it takes to be a good communicator. But what about reaching that next level? What about being a “supercommunicator”? Supercommunicator is a term used by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author Charles Duhigg in his latest book, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection. In this podcast episode, Abrahams and Duhigg explore the precise techniques that distinguish a good communicator from a “supercommunicator:” traits such as active listening; looping for understanding to demonstrate genuine engagement; and identifying what someone is truly feeling, underneath what they actually say.Episode Reference Links:Charles Duhigg: WebsiteCharles Duhigg: BooksDuhigg’s New Yorker articleThalia Wheatley’s research study: The Repurposed Social Brain Nicholas Epley’s research paper: Overly Shallow?: Miscalibrated Expectations Create a Barrier to Deeper ConversationAlison Wood Brooks’ research paper: The Conversational Circumplex: Identifying, Prioritizing, and Pursuing Informational and Relational Motives in ConversationMichael Yeomans’ research paper: It Helps to Ask: The Cumulative Benefits of Asking Follow-Up QuestionsSheila Heen’s research project: Harvard Negotiation ProjectEp.92 - No Regrets: How to Take RisksEp.82 - It’s Not About You: Why Effective Communicators Put Others FirstEp.103 - Simple is a Superpower: How to Communicate Any Idea to an AudienceConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Charles Duhigg and his new book Super Communicators.(00:01:26) Transition from Habits to CommunicationDuhigg shares how personal experiences and a desire to understand human interactions motivated him to explore communication.(00:02:51) The Neuroscience of Connection The neuroscience behind successful communication and the role of neural entrainment in establishing connection and understanding.(00:04:21) Storytelling as a Powerful Communication ToolThe importance of storytelling in communication and how stories foster empathy and engagement.(00:06:16) Identifying and Aligning Conversation Types Three types of conversations (practical, emotional, social) and the necessity of aligning conversation types for effective communication.(00:08:07) Practices of Super Communicators Insights into the habits of super communicators, including their approach to recognizing conversation types and the importance of deep listening.(00:15:02) Navigating Conflict Through Effective Communication Managing conflictual conversations with a focus on listening, understanding, and managing control dynamics.(00:20:50) Challenges of Online Communication Challenges and strategies for communicating in online and virtual settings.(00:25:04) The Craft and Impact of StorytellingApproaches to storytelling and its significance in making complex ideas memorable and engaging.(00:29:06) Developing New Communication Habits New communication habits developed from Duhigg's research and their impact on personal and professional interactions.(00:31:02) The Final Three QuestionsCharles Duhigg discusses the importance of deep questions, the communicator he most admires, and his recipe for successful communication.

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Effective and productive teams and relationships are based on the ability to communicate safely and to fail successfully. In this episode, Amy Edmondson, a professor at Harvard Business School and author of The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well, shares profound insights on the different types of failure—basic, complex, and intelligent—and their implications for learning and innovation. In her conversation with host and Strategic Communications lecturer Matt Abrahams, Edmonson opens up about her struggles with failure, highlighting the importance of moving from rumination to reflection. This episode offers listeners a comprehensive guide to fostering an environment where failure is not feared but embraced as a crucial step toward growth and success.Episode Reference Links:Amy Edmondson: WebsiteAmy’s Books: The Fearless Organization & Right Kind of Wrong Amy’s paper with Ingrid Nembhard: Making it Safe: The Effects of Leader Inclusiveness Amy’s admired communicator Nicolai Tangen’s podcast: In Good CompanyEp.21 - Words Matter: How to Make Your Communication InclusiveEp.112 - From Mistakes to "Missed Takes"Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionMatt Abrahams introduces guest Amy Edmondson and her new book the Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well.(00:01:38) Psychological Safety Communication StrategiesThe concept of psychological safety and its role in fostering open communication and risk-taking within teams.(00:05:36) Leader's Role in Creating a Safe EnvironmentA leader's role in acknowledging vulnerability and creating a culture of appreciation for candid feedback.(00:08:27) Empowering Every Team MemberBenefits of empowering every team member to contribute to psychological safety.(00:10:46) Understanding FailureThe importance of psychological safety in admitting mistakes and exploring the concept of failure.(00:14:07) Communicating About FailureHow leaders can effectively communicate about failures to encourage team learning and resilience. (00:18:34) Unequal Opportunity to FailThe unequal opportunity to fail, particularly for underrepresented groups.(00:20:39) The Final Three QuestionsAmy Edmondson shares her challenges with failure, a communicator she most admires, and three ingredients to a successful communication recipe.

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Why resistance isn’t always a bad thing.Friction — that’s Professor Huggy Rao’s metaphor for the forces that hamper workplace efficiency. But as he says, some friction can be helpful — if you know how to use it.In his book, The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder, Rao and coauthor Robert I. Sutton explore how operational obstacles show up in the workplace and, more importantly, what we can do about them. Through what Rao calls “friction fixing,” leaders can “take out the bad friction to make the right things easy to do [and] put in good friction to make the wrong things harder [to do].”As Rao discusses with host Matt Abrahams on this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, leaders can eliminate bad friction through good communication. “Communication matters a lot,” he says. “The simple rule is, make sure a 10-year-old can understand it on the first try.”Episode Reference Links:Huggy Rao: Website Huggy’s Books: The Friction Project, Scaling Up Excellence, & Market Rebels Huggy’s Successful Communication Recipe - “Ah! Aha! Haha!” by Ramji RaghavanEp.14: Be Better at Work: How to Communicate Better with Coworkers and Employees:Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest, Huggy Rao, and his latest book on the importance of focusing on friction to become our best selves.(00:01:24) Scaling Mindsets and CommunicationInsights on scaling excellence and the critical role of simple communication in fostering the right mindset.(00:04:28) AstraZeneca: Scaling SimplificationA case study on simplification efforts at AstraZeneca & the gift of time that they gave their employees.(00:08:49) Understanding Friction: Terrible and WonderfulThe dual nature of friction, highlighting its role as both a hindrance and a catalyst for decision-making. (00:11:05) Jargon MonoxideComplicated jargon’s impact on organizations, and the need for simplicity in communication.(00:13:03) The Art of StorytellingThe benefits & goals of storytelling, creating moral elevation & emotional connection.(00:15:12) Job Titles and AccountabilityAn experiment on the impact of personalized job titles on team performance and accountability in tech startups and the introduction of “good friction”.(00:17:57) The Final Three QuestionsHuggy shares his strategy for reducing friction in his life, a story about the communicator he most admires, Saul Alinsky, and his three ingredients for a successful communication recipe, Aah! Aha! Ha-Ha!

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Simple language, forceful language, vivid language, and keeping it simple and direct,” says Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, are all powerful tools to strengthen your communication.Host and Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer Matt Abrahams interviews Pfeffer, the author many books, including Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don't, about the verbal and nonverbal ways we can harness, or give away, our authority when we’re speaking to others. Pfeffer is also the host of the podcast Pfeffer on Power and teaches the Stanford GSB online course Discover the Paths to Power. Episode Reference Links:Jeffrey Pfeffer's podcast: Pfeffer on PowerJeffrey Pfeffer's books: Dying for a Paycheck & Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don'tStanford GSB Online Course: Discover the Paths to PowerEp.12 It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It: How To Communicate PowerEp.44 Act Like a Leader: How Lessons From The Theater Can Help You Step into PowerConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionMatt Abrahams introduces the episode, highlighting the importance of power and presence in communication.(00:01:31) Defining Power and StatusJeffrey Pfeffer shares his definition of power and status, emphasizing their significance in achieving goals despite opposition.(00:02:45) Nonverbal & Verbal Behaviors to Communicate PowerSpecific behaviors that convey power, and those to avoid.(00:05:46) Emotion and PowerPfeffer explores the role of emotion in conveying power, highlighting the effectiveness of displaying strong emotions like anger and passion.(00:09:11) Virtual CommunicationStrategies for projecting competence and higher status in virtual communication are discussed, emphasizing the importance of appearance and framing on video calls.(00:10:55) Communicating Across Power LevelsJeffrey Pfeffer advises on crafting concise, powerful messages for communication with higher-status individuals, emphasizing the importance of directness and presentation in person.(00:12:06) Tailoring Messages with FlatteryPfeffer suggests beginning communications with flattery, highlighting its effectiveness in making the recipient more receptive to your message.(00:13:33) The Importance of ‘Warming Up’Why we should warm up physically and vocally before important communications.(00:16:33) The Final Three QuestionsPfeffer shares his best communication advice in a concise slide title, the communicators he “admires”, and his three ingredients for a successful communication recipe.(00:19:20) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.New York Times Opinion columnist David Brooks shares how to communicate so that others feel seen, heard, and understood.All too often, we communicate without really connecting. The key to building deep connections with others, says David Brooks, is to make them feel seen and heard.Brooks is a writer for the New York Times, the Atlantic, and the best-selling author of several books. In his latest, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen, he explores how vulnerability — both being vulnerable ourselves and creating space for others to be as well — is the key to fostering deeper connections at home, at work, and throughout our lives. “[People] need to be seen, heard, and understood,” he says. “If you hide yourself from the emotional intimacies of life, you're hiding yourself from life itself.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Brooks and host Matt Abrahams discuss the fundamentals of communicating with vulnerability and empathy, outlining the skills that anyone can learn and use to connect more deeply in their relationships.Episode Reference Links:Full list of David Brooks booksBryan StevensonGeorge OrwellC.S. Lewis Oprah Winfrey VideoEp.64 Carissa CarterEp.101 Geoffrey CohenConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:01:26) Personal MotivationDavid Brooks shares insights into his journey and the motivation behind his latest book.(00:04:01) Barriers to ConnectionCommon barriers to connection including egotism, anxiety, worldview, and lack of questioning.(00:04:43) The Stages of EmpathyDavid Brooks breaks down empathy into components such as mirroring, mentalizing, and caring, and recognizing your own emotion(00:07:40) Keys to Meaningful ConversationAttention as an on-off switch, loud listening, avoiding topping responses, embracing pauses, and making people authors(00:11:22) Understanding Illuminators and DiminishersIlluminators are those who make you feel seen and valued through curiosity and active listening and suggestions and suggestions on how to be a better illuminator and conversationalist.(00:14:01) How to Be a Better Public SpeakerThe importance of vulnerability, humor, and storytelling. (00:16:25) Paradigmatic vs. Narrative Modes of ThinkingJerome Bruner's concept of paradigmatic for writing and convincing, Narrative mode for understanding a fellow human being. (00:18:02) David Brooks' JourneyBecoming a journalist, inspired by childhood reading and early experiences as a police reporter & admiration for Oprah Winfrey as an admirable listener.(00:19:52) Ingredients for Successful CommunicationDavid Brooks outlines his three essential ingredients for effective communication: depth of passion, vulnerability, and clarity. (00:22:27) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Matt takes live questions from his worldwide audience. Join Matt Abrahams engaging with his international audience and answering questions that touch upon some of today's most pressing communication challenges. Matt offers advice on everything from the nuances of crafting clear, impactful questions and navigating emotional dynamics in group settings to maintaining control during presentations and delivering difficult news.Additionally, listeners are treated to innovative strategies for creating memorable introductions and managing disruptive behaviors in group discussions. This episode, taken from a Think Fast Talk Smart live event, offers practical tips and strategies; its a value add for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills in personal and professional contexts.Episode Reference Links:Ep 67, What Is Normal? How Culture Affects Communication Styles - Website / YouTubeEp 105, Radical Candor: The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Career - Website / YouTubeEp 78, Three Guiding Principles for Successful Communication - Website / YouTubeConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) Introduction and Overview of Part Two(00:01:11) Formulating Relevant Questions Crafting relevant questions in high-pressure situations. Matt outlines a three-step process for developing concise questions that address the key issues, and provide the person answering with a hook. (00:03:14) Managing Emotional Discussions How to handle a group discussion that gets emotional reactions by acknowledging emotions and using paraphrasing to refocus the conversation.(00:05:32) Navigating An Audience Hijacking Your PresentationSet clear boundaries and expectations at the beginning of the presentation, along with effective paraphrasing.(00:08:25) Communication Structures for Delivering Difficult Messages How to employ the "What, So What, Now What" or the “Comparison, Contrast, Conclusion” structures when giving difficult news, or feedback.(00:10:25) Effective Cross-Cultural Communication When communicating effectively in a multinational company, Matt emphasizes empathy, repetition, and deep listening.(00:12:51) How to Get Creative With Our Introductions Matt suggests starting with a provocative statement and then your name, in order to set an expectation for who we are and what's important to us. (00:14:51) Handling a Difficult or Challenging Person in Groups Matt recommends constructive feedback and the strategic use of paraphrasing to manage disruptions.(00:17:13) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Matt takes live questions from his worldwide audience and shares a lesson around concision, relevance, accessibly, and precision in messaging. In this "masterclass," he emphasizes the communicator's role as a translator who simplifies complex information for diverse audiences.Key takeaways include the careful use of analogies, considering cultural backgrounds and audience understanding, and providing techniques for chunking information into understandable segments. Additionally, the episode delves into the significance of structuring communication to achieve specific goals, highlighting Matt’s structure 'What? So What? Now What?. This episode is packed with practical advice and strategies for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills, whether in professional or personal contexts.Be sure to tune in to Part 2, the “Ask Me Anything” portion of this recorded event.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) Introduction and Global Participation Jenny & Matt introduce the live episode.(00:01:09) Challenges of Communication Matt emphasizes the challenges in maintaining focus and clarity in a world filled with distractions and uses the iPod messaging as an example of focused communication.(00:02:46) Concision Matt shares insights, examples, and practical techniques on using minimal words for maximum impact.(00:06:47) RelevanceThe importance of thinking about who our audience is, their needs, and how to use emotion, engagement, time-travelling phrases, and curiosity.(00:10:36) Accessibility How do we make our content understandable to our audience? Matt explains that communicators are translators, and suggests techniques such as language, analogies, chunking, and providing diagrams(00:15:50) PrecisionMaking sure we have a clear goal for our communication and the three components of a clear goal: information, emotion, and action.(00:17:20) The importance of Structure for PrecisionExploring various structures for targeted communication, including insights from the Dummies book series, Matt’s favorite communication structure: 'What? So What? Now What?', and thinking about how we start and finish. (00:21:38) Closing

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.If we want to generate better ideas, then we need to get people back to the office.In this bonus meetings mini-series episode, we feature an episode from the newest podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business – If/Then: Business, Leadership, Society. In this conversation with senior editor Kevin Cool, Professor of Marketing and former TFTS guest Jonathan Levav details his study of remote work and creativity. “Pairs that worked face-to-face generated 15 to 20% more ideas than pairs that worked on Zoom,” Levav notes. What’s more, in-person brainstorming helped people consider a wider and more diverse range of possibilities. “Working on Zoom was a double penalty. Fewer ideas — and a narrower set of ideas.”Remote work may be the new normal in our post-pandemic world, but Levav cautions us from accepting the status quo — especially if we want to keep our creative edge. As this episode of If/Then explores, our best ideas could still lie ahead of us — if we can all get in the same room.If/Then is a podcast from the Stanford Graduate School of Business that examines research findings that can help us navigate the complex issues we face in business, leadership, and society. Each episode features an interview with a Stanford GSB faculty member.   Key Takeaways: For hybrid work environments, managers should select “in-office” days based on tasks we perform better in person, such as collaboration and brainstorming.More flexible schedules for remote and office work allow employees to bring their best selves and perform better at their jobs.  More Resources: Listen to Jonathan Levav’s Webby-Award winning TFTS episode: "88. Best of: Leading From Home – How to Create the Right Environment for Communication."Be sure to also listen to Part 1 and 2 of our Making Meeting Matter mini-series.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode 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 introduces the If/Then podcast, and the episode featuring Jonathan Levav, previous Think Fast Talk Smart guest.(00:01:15) The Importance of In-Person CollaborationIf/Then host Kevin Cool and Will Tracy, former executive producer of Succession, on his experiences with writers rooms and why virtual meetings don’t work in that context.(00:04:34) Introduction to Research on Virtual CollaborationKevin introduces guest Jonathan Levav, his research on the effects of communicating on video on creative idea generation. Jonathan shares the conversation that was the genesis of the research.(00:05:32) Research findingsThe study methods used and results: face-to-face collaboration leads to 15-20% more creative ideas than collaboration over Zoom.(00:08:26) Understanding the Difference People’s responses to the study and the impact of a physical experience(00:11:54) Evaluating Task Types for Meeting TypeDetermining different modalities for tasks in order to determine the best environment for that work, and why some work best in certain contexts.(00:16:42) Return to the OfficeAs companies are encouraging employees to return to the office for a third day, the tension between employers and employees desires and how to add appeal as well as the lack of systemic study for data-base decision making.(00:20:30) Advice for Managers of Remote WorkersThe need for conscious change to adapt to the remote work experience, and Jonathan’s personal experience doing this teaching. (00:24:31) Choice ArchitectureThe importance of incentivizing workers to return to the office by making workplace culture recognize and meet employee needs.(00:29:43) Jonathan Levav's Career and Next Research StepsHow Jonathan came to be in his field and his interest in studying networking and the way that virtual interactions shape relationship dynamics.(00:32:59) Conclusion

Whether you’re giving a toast or presenting in a meeting, communication is critical to success in business and in life. Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of Strategic Communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he sits down with experts in the field to discuss real-world communication challenges.How do I send my message clearly when put on the spot? How do I give better feedback? How can I easily convey complex information? How do I manage my reputation? How do I manage my anxiety in any speaking situation?  Think Fast, Talk Smart provides the tools, techniques, and best practices to help you communicate more effectively.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.How can we make meetings more effective? How can we keep people engaged and interested? Whether it’s in person or on Zoom, here are a few techniques you can use to make your gatherings more meaningful, productive, and memorable.Get practical tools and actionable insights to actually make meetings matter, as well as knowing when NOT to have a meeting. Join Matt Abrahams in a dynamic conversation with Elise Keith, an expert on effective meetings and communication. Elise explains the three main categories of meetings, and shares practical strategies for engaging participants, handling common meeting issues and maximizing productivity through techniques like parallel processing as well as other tools.Be sure to also listen to Part 1 of our meeting mini-series, as well as the following bonus Meeting's episode from the Stanford GSB's If/Then podcast.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) IntroductionPart two of the making meetings meaningful series, with guest Elise Keith(02:01) Why & How to Have MeetingsThe power of meetings for focusing attention and how to know when to conduct them virtually or in person. (03:56) Meeting CategoriesElise breaks down the three major categories of meetings: Cadence, Catalyst, and Learn & Influence.(05:49) Purpose and OutcomeThe two things to know before scheduling a meeting: the purpose and outcomes - and how to communicate those practically(10:00) Knowing When Not to MeetWhen a meeting may not be the most effective way to achieve goals; ensuring respect for participants' time.(11:45) The Art of FacilitationPractical tips for engaging participants, and setting expectations for active participation. (15:59) Tools for Creating Equity and & CooperationThink-Pair-Share, or 1-2-All, and harnessing silence to encourage equal participation and leveling of the meeting.(17:19) Maximizing Meeting Productivity Parallel processing for dividing work efficiently while keeping the team united. Plus, emphasizing achieving results in business meetings.(19:01) Meeting Best PracticesA lightning-round of best practices for addressing common meeting challenges.(21:20) Final QuestionsA communicator most admired by Elise, as well as her three ingredients for successful communication(23:04) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Delve into why people hate meetings, explore what hinders their effectiveness, and how to change that. Karin Reed (Emmy Award winner) and Joe Allen (“The Meeting Doctor”) join Matt Abrahams in the first of a two-part series that aims to reshape your approach to meetings and help you make them effective and meaningful, whether in person, virtual or hybrid. They shed light on the constraints hindering effective meetings, and explore strategies for optimizing meetings, emphasizing the importance of right-sizing meetings and focusing on realistic agendas. Karin provides valuable tips for enhancing on-air presence, focusing on aspects like eye contact, lighting, and framing, while Joe tackles the challenges of managing disruptive behaviors in virtual meetings. Don't miss this insightful exploration into the world of how to make meetings better.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) Introduction Host Matt Abrahams sets the stage for the two-episode series on meaningful meetings and introduces guests Karin Reed and Joe Allen.(02:02) Why People Hate Meetings Reasons behind the dislike for meetings, focusing on habits and societal norms and the issues that create ineffective meetings.(04:49) Participation EquityStrategies for validating all forms of participation, especially in virtual and hybrid meetings.(06:53) Meeting Structures and Strategically Ordering TopicsHow to strategically best order tasks for a meeting adapting to the team's readiness.(09:21) Best Practices for Virtual and Hybrid Meetings The importance of being & feeling seen and heard in virtual and hybrid meetings, strategies to work against proximity bias.(11:57) Virtual Presence Tips Tips to have the best virtual presence from Karin, including eye contact, framing, lighting, and audio(16:35) How to Combat Counterproductive Meeting BehaviorJoe explains different types of behaviours that derail meetings and how procedural communication can be used as a strategy to address them, and the possible outcomes of implementing this. (20:45) Final Thoughts on Effective Meetings Karin & Joe each give their one big tip for effective meetings, Karin shares the importances of injecting humanity and friendship, and Joe shares his communication mentor.(23:52) The ABCs of Communication Karin Reed shares the first three ingredients for a successful communication recipe: Authenticity, Brevity, and Clarity.(25:01) Conclusion

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask.This week we revisit Matt's discussion with Debra Schifrin about how to craft inquiries that can lead to better communication outcomes. Questions are also instrumental in building relationships, Schifrin points out. “If you’re asking questions, you’re signaling to the other person that you value them. You’re taking time to listen to their answers.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) Introduction to the Episode and Guest(01:47) The Role and Importance of QuestionsDebra Schifrin discusses the various goals and purposes of asking questions, such as getting information and building relationships.(02:36) Questions in Building Relationships and Coaching Focus on how questions help in building relationships and their use in coaching and mentoring.(04:41) Negative Aspects of Question AskingDiscussion about the darker goals of asking questions, like intimidation or avoiding responsibility.(06:57) The Impact of Tone in Question AskingExamination of how tone can significantly alter the perception and effectiveness of questions.(08:19) Creating Effective Questions Strategies for formulating good questions, emphasizing the use of value-related words.(10:10) Advice for Business Leaders on Question AskingGuidance for leaders on the importance of bravery in asking questions and being open to unexpected answers.(11:53) Context and Best Practices in Question AskingThe relevance of context in questioning and best practices rooted in a mindset of curiosity.(15:25) Debra Schifrin's Secret Weapon in QuestioningSchifrin's "killer last question" technique and its effectiveness in eliciting insightful responses.(17:19) Experiment with Different Questioning StylesAn experiment demonstrating the impact of different ways of asking questions on the responses received.(19:00) Wrap-up and Final QuestionsConcluding part where Matt asks Debra Schifrin his three standard questions for all podcast guests, focusing on communication advice, admired communicators, and successful communication ingredients.

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Research-backed techniques on how to beat nervousness in the moment. In this episode, Matt uses clips from experts from previous TFTS episodes to provide you with several communication anxiety management techniques to help you feel more comfortable and confident when you communicate. And as a guide to help us learn these techniques, he introduces the ABCs of anxiety management.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) Intro: the ABC's of anxiety management(02:23) Christian Wheeler: Get comfortable being uncomfortable (03:38) Kelly McGonigal: Anxiety is a sign you care(04:50) Andrew Huberman: Using breath to help quell anxiety (06:51) Jeffrey Pfeffer: Warming up right before a communication challenge (08:22) Alia Crum: Understanding that stress can be good for us(10:12) Alison Wood Brooks: Reframing our mindset(12:01) Anxiety Management Plan: Matt shares instructions on how to make your own “AMP” so you can communicate at your best.

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.We have to be vulnerable in order to build trust in our relationships. But as Jacob Morgan says, “Vulnerability for leaders is not the same as it is for everybody else.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Morgan shares with host Matt Abrahams his “vulnerable leadership equation” and how leaders can use it to transform the way they interact with others — creating more trust, unlocking people’s potential, and building successful teams and organizations.As Morgan explains, owning up to your mistakes and struggles might make you vulnerable, but it doesn’t necessarily make you a leader. In his latest book, Leading with Vulnerability: Unlock Your Greatest Superpower to Transform Yourself, Your Team, and Your Organization, Morgan lays out why leading with vulnerability goes a step further, saying, “Here's what I learned from the mistake that I made [and] steps that I'm going to put into place to make sure this doesn't happen again.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Matt reflects on all the advice we've heard this season and shares the top 10 takeaways that he’s applying to his own communication:Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) Matt's Introduction(00:42) Jonah Berger: episode 80(02:09) Rachel Greenwald: episode 89(03:44) Dan Pink: episode 92(04:53) Vanessa Patrick: episode 95(06:55) Carmine Gallo: episode 103(07:43) Katie Milkman: episode 104(09:12) Kim Scott: episode 105(10:32) Francis Frei: episode 109(11:40) Patrick McGinnis: episode 113(13:14) Julian Treasure: episode 114

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Stress is natural,” says Alia Crum, an assistant professor of psychology at Stanford. “Stress is inevitable when you’re living a life that’s connected with things you care about. And learning how to embrace it, learning how to work with it is really what helps us thrive and grow and perform at our highest level.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams talks with Crum about her work as the principal investigator at the Stanford Mind & Body Lab, where she is studying how people can benefit from stress. “There’s a whole side of stress that shows that it can have enhancing qualities on our cognitive functioning, our physical health, and on how we behave and interact with others,” she says.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.What comes to people’s minds when they think about you, and can you control it? Dorie Clark says you can — with the power of your personal brand.According to Clark, “You have brand equity in your own life.” Your personal brand or reputation, she says, “makes things either easier or harder for you” as you pursue your personal and professional goals. The key question, she says, is “What kind of reputation have you built up?” By taking stock of the personal brand you have, you can redefine it to align with who you are and where you want to go.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Clark and host Matt Abrahams discuss the power of personal branding, being more strategic in how we communicate about ourselves, and how we can shape the narrative of our lives, personally and professionally.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Communication is about so much more than sharing words. As neuroscientist Shane O’Mara explains, communication is about sharing reality.According to O’Mara, “A conversation is where we create a shared reality together.” As a professor of experimental brain research at Trinity College Dublin, his research has focused on how human brains sync up through communication. “The essence is that we are creating a shared reality where we come to share the same states of emotion, the same states of memory, and we come to think about the future together in a new way.”On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, O’Mara joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss how language, memory, and imagination play into communication, and how we can use active listening, turn-taking, and mentalizing to create a shared reality together.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Even if you don’t think you’re a natural, anyone can become proficient at the art of small talk by utilizing the right tactics and behaviors. In this collaboration with Harvard Business Review, strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams shares his tips and techniques for cocktail party chit chat, networking small talk, and holiday dinner-table conversation. Watch the full video on HBR's YouTube channel.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help us achieve our goals?These are the questions most interesting to Szu-chi Huang, an associate professor of marketing with a specific interest in motivation. “Competition definitely increases motivation,” says Huang. “It makes attaining the goal more valuable.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Huang and host Matt Abrahams explore the intersection of human psychology, behavior, and goal attainment — and how communication connects them all.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.We should all be audience-centric in communication. But, as Julian Treasure contests, we need to take it one step further. What is the listening I am speaking into?, he says, is the question every speaker should ask themselves over and over."Every human being’s listening is unique ... we listen through a set of filters and those filters develop as we grow and mature in life and we have experiences. Knowing where the person is coming from, you'll be able to sense their listening."Treasure, an expert on speaking and sound, also offers advice on the breathing techniques that can transform one's speech. "If you want to speak powerfully, develop a breathing practice. And that can be as simple as conscious breathing, which is breathing in through the nose, out through the mouth."In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Treasure and host Matt Abrahams explore the power of breath; the four steps to show someone we're engaged and listening; and how by framing speech as a gift, we can better serve our audience. Treasure is the author of Sound Business. His most recent book, How to be Heard: Secrets for Powerful Speaking and Listening, is based on his TED Talk. For a full transcript of this episode, visit our podcast webpage.More resources:Julian Treasure on TEDJulian Treasure on LinkedInJulian on SubstackConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.What if you had that job? What if you were with that person? What if there’s a better option out there? If you find yourself asking these questions, Patrick McGinnis invented the term for what you’re experiencing: FOMO.First coined by McGinnis in a piece published by the Harvard Business School newspaper, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) describes the anxiety we feel when thinking that other people are having more fun and living more fulfilling lives than we are. As McGinnis says, “We are constantly comparing ourselves to other people. We are seeing the options that are out there. And then we're saying, what I'm doing right now isn't good enough. I am missing out on something.”Both in his book, Fear of Missing Out: Practical Decision-Making in a World of Overwhelming Choice, and in this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McGinnis explains how conscious decision-making can help us feel more sure of our choices and experience less anxiety about the options we pass up.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.This episode we're sharing an excerpt from Matt Abrahams's audiobook, Think Faster, Talk Smarter. Listen in as Matt explains how to think like a movie director, where a mistake isn't a grave error, but rather a "missed takes" and an opportunity to try again with a new approach.*This audio excerpt is 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.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.”On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Tina Seelig, the Professor of the Practice at Stanford’s department of management science and engineering and the executive director of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, chats with host and lecturer Matt Abrahams about the importance of asking questions about everything we do.“Having a mindset of curiosity opens the door to great communication,” Seelig says. “The more questions you ask, the more you learn, the more engaged you will be with others.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Whatever you’re writing, Todd Rogers says most people are too busy to read it. That’s why, he says, “you want to make it as easy as possible for them."Rogers is a professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the author of the book Writing for Busy Readers: Communicate More Effectively in the Real World. From text messages to fundraising letters to political speeches, Rogers says effective writing makes it “easy for busy readers to navigate what we send them, pull out the key information, and do what they are planning to do anyway, which is move on to the next thing.” This kind of writing, Rogers says, is “more effective for us, and kinder to readers.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Rogers and host Matt Abrahams explore how to use structure, simplicity, and everyday vocabulary to write in a way that saves readers time and transmits ideas more effectively.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.You said it. But did they hear it? For Frances Frei, communication is about saying things simply enough for an audience to truly understand.As a professor of technology and operations management at Harvard Business School, Frei knows that shaping culture within organizations requires communicating in ways that influence how people think and act. The problem for many leaders, she says, is that when we “understand something deeply, we describe it in a complicated way. If you want broad influence and persuasion, we have to understand it really deeply. And then describe it in a simple and compelling enough way that others can take action.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Frei and host Matt Abrahams explore strategies for simpler communication, building and maintaining trust, and celebrating diverse perspectives within our teams. They also discuss takeaways from Frei's latest book, Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leaders' Guide to Solving Hard Problems.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInMore resources:Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leaders' Guide to Solving Hard ProblemsFixable, a podcast with Anne Francis and Frances Frei

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.If you’re reading from your notes, you’re going to miss the magic of the moment. That’s why Adam Tobin, Dan Klein, and Patricia Ryan Madsen bring improv techniques to all their communication.Communication experts in their respective fields of media, performance, and drama, Tobin, Klein, and Madsen all see the immense power of improv in helping us communicate more freely. As Tobin says, “You do the preparation so that you are expert in the material. And then you let go of the specific delivery of the information in favor of being aware of what's going on now.” Madsen agrees, explaining that we don’t need all the answers, we just need to show up. “Step first,” she says, “then see where you are.”In this celebration of the 100th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, the three guests join host Matt Abrahams to discuss how improv can transform our communication in everything from small talk to work presentations, and help us create space where we feel safe enough to show up as our most authentic selves.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In this episode, executive producer Jenny Luna interviews host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams about the tips and tools in his new book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In January of 2020 we launched Think Fast Talk Smart with the goal of helping people improve their communication skills. Now, with more than 100 episodes and an engaged audience tuning in from more than 200 countries, we're proud to take you back to the very first episode, where the magic began.As we've discussed multiple times on the show, most professional communication is spontaneous in nature. It’s providing feedback in the moment, answering questions, introducing people. On this inaugural episode, Strategic Communication lecturer Matt Abrahams speaks with Stanford lecturers Adam Tobin and Dan Klein on how to become more comfortable and confident in in-the-moment speaking situations. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Moving forward in our careers often means giving and receiving feedback. But how candid can we be in communicating with others? For Kim Scott, anything less than radical just isn’t enough.An executive, speaker, author, and executive coach, Scott is known for her concept of radical candor, which she defines as “caring personally and challenging directly at the same time." By mapping communication onto the axes of caring and challenging, she derives four quadrants of feedback behavior: radical candor, obnoxious aggression, manipulative insincerity, and ruinous empathy.In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Scott shares how we can all move our communication into the radical candor quadrant, “to learn what we don't know and to help other people learn what they don't know.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInMore ResourcesKim Scott, personal website and on LinkedInThe Radical Candor podcast

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium."We're wired to look for the path of least resistance and efficiency, and that's normally a good thing, but it can get in the way when we want to make a change," says Wharton professor Katy Milkman. Through her research on decision making and in her recent book How to Change the Science of Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want To Be, Milkman examines the many barriers we create for ourselves when it comes to achieving goals."Who you surround yourself [is important] with because we have a tendency to conform to the people around us," she says. "And if we are surrounded by people who show us our limitations, that can be a barrier."On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast, host Matt Abrahams sits down with Milkman to further explore her research into human behavior and decision making, motivation, and tools we can use to make real change. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInMore resourcesFor a full transcript, visit this episode's webpage.Bob Cialdini, "Change My Mind: Using “Pre-suasion” to Influence Others"Szu-Chi Huang, "From Dreaming to Doing: How We Set and Achieve Goals"Jonah Berger, "Magic Words: Change What You Say to Inspire and Influence Others"

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.The best communicators express ideas simply. And to do that, says Carmine Gallo, “you have to connect with people in a language they understand.”Gallo is an author, communication coach, and lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. For him, the cornerstone of good communication is empathizing with an audience enough to truly speak their language. “Think about the audience first,” he says. “If you cannot speak the same language to different stakeholders and adapt the language for those different stakeholders, you’ll never get anything done.”On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Gallo and host Matt Abrahams discuss how we can simplify our language and weave relevant stories to translate and tailor our communication for our audience.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.What does it take to have a presence that’s felt by those around us? According to Muriel Wilkins, the answer is simple: Be present.“Having presence, at the root of it, [is] your ability to be present,” says Wilkins, a C-suite advisor, executive coach, and host of the HBR podcast, Coaching Real Leaders. Working with some of the business world’s top brass, Wilkins helps leaders discover how they can use presence to communicate more effectively, lead more authentically, and create more impact in their organizations.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Wilkins and host Matt Abrahams explore communication strategies that leaders and individuals can use to improve their presence and show up more authentically to work and life.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.When it comes to emotional and physical wellbeing, Psychology professor Geoffrey Cohen says there is one healthy behavior that outweighs the others: authentic connection. “It is really, really important,” he says. Deep connections with other people are foundational to a happy and healthy life. As Cohen explores in his new book, Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides, achieving a sense of belonging isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential. “That sense of connection is so woven into our DNA that if we don't have it, we suffer,” he says. “Not having that sense of connection with other people does great biological damage and seems to be one of the major contributors to disease and mortality."As Cohen and host Matt Abrahams explore in this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, effective communication is the tool we need to build strong connections with others and enjoy a deep sense of belonging.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.What does it take to be a more effective communicator? According to Dan Lyons, it starts with knowing when to shut your mouth.As a journalist, author, and screenwriter, Lyons knows a thing or two about wielding words. But as he reveals in his book, STFU: The Power of Keeping Your Mouth Shut in an Endlessly Noisy World, most of us talk too much and listen too little. “A great conversation is about listening. And it probably involves you talking less,” he says.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lyons and host Matt Abrahams explore how to stop over-talking, emphasizing the value of active listening, asking good questions, and giving others space to speak.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the smallest modicum of silence, but learning often happens when we create distance for useful reflection.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Dobbs talks with host Matt Abrahams about the importance of “space, pace, and grace” when you’re receiving others’ feedback and handling the emotions that come out during tough discussions.“There’s often a lot more focus on the skill set on delivering emotion than receiving emotion, but if the receiver of emotion can put themselves in a place of curiosity, agency, and openness … it opens up a whole new world of possibilities.”Dobbs is an executive coach and teaches several courses, including Interpersonal Dynamics and Leadership Labs. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium. How do we deal with professional blind spots? According to David Dodson, MBA ’87, we need the panoramic perspective of those who work around us.“360 reviews, done properly, are a massive competitive weapon,” says Dodson, also a lecturer in management at Stanford GSB and author of the new book, The Manager’s Handbook. Such comprehensive and constructive feedback, he says, can be transformational for employees and managers alike. “The first time I did a 360 review and got feedback was a massive turning point in my development as a manager,” he says. “Had I not had 360 feedback, I probably would have gone a decade or more with ineffective technique.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Dodson shares valuable insights and actionable advice for individuals in leadership and management roles, highlighting the importance of effective communication and feedback in achieving success.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Communication is like a game. For it to work, each person has to trust that their partner will play by the rules. As Professor Anat Admati says, the same is true for corporations and their stakeholders.“To have good governance, you need trust and accountability,” says Admati, a professor of finance and economics and the director of the Corporations and Society Initiative. How does a society ensure that markets, businesses, and governments are all on the same page? As Admati says, “We need rules. I can commit to you that I won’t harm you because something bad will happen to me if I [do].”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Admati joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss how communication forms a bedrock of trust that can align markets, businesses, and governments — for more accountable capitalism and a healthier society.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInMore resourcesAnat Admati Anat Admati: The Economist Who Said “The Bankers Have No Clothes”

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Why is a boat a “she?” Why give names like Alexa or Siri to inanimate pieces of software? According to assistant professor of organizational behavior Ashley Martin, ascribing gender to everyday objects helps us to connect with them more deeply.“Gender is this humanizing force that allows people to interact with non-human things as if they’re human,” says Martin, whose research focuses on gender equality, gender inclusion, and gender’s role within team and organizational dynamics. And while Martin is interested in how anthropomorphizing technology can benefit the humans who use it, she also notes how “problematic stereotypes” could be perpetuated as a result.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Martin joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss how our ideas about gender inform the way we relate to the world and how we can leverage the latest research to promote greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Saying no can seem risky. We worry about offending others, damaging relationships, or hurting our own reputation. But as Vanessa Patrick says, no is an empowering word that gives us greater agency in our lives.Saying no “is not a rejection of the other person,” says Patrick, a professor of Marketing at the University of Houston. Instead, it allows you to set boundaries and “[give] voice to what you believe and what you care about.” In her book, The Power of Saying No, Patrick introduces what she calls “empowered refusal,” a way of saying no that’s rooted in one’s identity, values, priorities, and preferences. “An empowered no,” she says, “is about us, not a rejection of the other person.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Patrick and host Matt Abrahams explore how to use the power of no, how to move from strategy forming to strategy implementation, and how to resist momentary pleasures that distract us from our larger goals.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInMore Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessapatrick23/ https://uh.edu/news-events/stories/2023/june-2023/05012023-patrick-empowered-no.php

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Breaking new ground, Think Fast, Talk Smart steps into the world of live events, bringing together an eager audience of LEAD students from Stanford University and a top-notch panel of former podcast guests: Jesper B. Sørensen, Sarah Soule, Jonathan Levav,and Szu-chi Huang. Topics include crafting strategy for successful leadership and tips on how to effectively lead a hybrid team.This episode also features an interactive audience segment, where various participants of the Stanford LEAD program answer the three questions traditionally posed to guests.To learn more about Stanford LEAD, the Graduate School of Business's online program for executive education, visit their grow.stanford.edu or take the self assessment. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.How are you feeling right now? According to Celine Teoh, we all need to ask ourselves that question more often — and be more precise in how we answer it.Teoh is a facilitator of the course Interpersonal Dynamics, or “Touchy Feely,” as it’s affectionately known on campus. In her work with students and as a CEO coach, she encourages people to get better acquainted with their feelings. “Feelings are data,” she says. “In the rest of our logical lives, we would never make decisions on bad or highly abstract data. But we'll do that with feelings.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Teoh and host Matt Abrahams discuss how developing greater emotional awareness can help us achieve more agency and empathy in our personal and professional lives.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“What people regret over time are things they didn't do. They didn't take that trip, they didn't ask that person out on a date. They didn't start that business,” says former political speech writer and best-selling author Dan Pink. “I think it's because we are slightly over-indexed on risk. We overstate the risk in many circumstances.” On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams sits down with Pink to hear how we should all take more risks and how leaders can inspire others by focusing on the why instead of the how. “There's almost incontrovertible evidence that sense of purpose is the most cost effective performance enhancer that organizations have,” Pink says.  They also discuss the power in taking breaks, which Pink considers part of performance, not a deviation from it. “What we know from many domains is that professionals take breaks. It's not that amateurs take breaks and the professionals don't, it's the exact opposite.” Pink’s latest book is The Power of Regret, How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInShow NotesDan Pinkhttps://hbr.org/2014/11/cooks-make-tastier-food-when-they-can-see-their-customersFeelings First: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences (episode with Baba Shiv)

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.We’re often advised not to use “um” or “uh”, or “so” and “you know” in our communication. But linguist Valerie Fridland might argue otherwise. “Language is about how we encode both the linguistic message and a social message,” she says. “Crutch words … are really valuable and they have arisen to serve a need.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart: the podcast, Fridland sits down with host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams to discuss how and when we use "you know","so", and other filler words. For example, Fridland says, the way we use “um” varies greatly from how and we might use “uh.” And the use of “like,” while deplored by many, actually serves a linguistic function and can provide context and background for a listener.She and Matt also discuss the social linguistic function of vocal fry and whether emojis have a place in business communication. Fridland is a professor of sociolinguistics at the University of Nevada. She's an expert on the relationship between language and society and recently released a new book, Like Literally Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with David Eagleman, a neuroscientist and the host of the PBS series The Brain, to discuss why our brains are wired for storytelling and how new senses might impact our connection and communication with others.“I’ve always been really interested in this idea of how we can pass information to the brain via unusual channels,” Eagleman says. “We’ve got our eyes or ears or fingertips and our nose, we’re very used to this and we sort of think these are fundamental, but of course, this is just what we’ve inherited from a long road of evolution … It turns out you can push information in the brain in other ways.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Whether you’re trying to build a romantic or professional connection, Rachel Greenwald’s advice is exactly the same. “Focus on how you make someone feel more than you focus on the words that you're saying,” she says. As a professional coach, Greenwald helps people develop better communication skills, from executives in the business world to singles in the dating world. Building deep connections may at times be challenging, but as Greenwald says, it’s ultimately not complicated. “You're demonstrating that you're interested in someone and that you like them,” she says.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Greenwald and host Matt Abrahams discuss relationship-building tactics like small talk, active listening, communication blindspots, and more.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.*This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart recently won "Best Business Podcast Episode" at the 2023 Webby Awards.* “You’re not going to hit the mark with everybody, but you still need to be mindful of everybody,” says Jonathan Levav, a professor of marketing at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “That’s critical to create an environment where communication is effective.”In this podcast episode, Levav sits down with podcast host Matt Abrahams to talk about how to lead from home and how to foster an environment for creativity, innovation, and collaboration.It’s not just maintaining a company culture, it’s about establishing what that culture is online, Levav says. “How can you encourage those serendipitous conversations that tend to happen in person?”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.We’ve all been there — we think we understand something, but when it comes time to explain it to someone else, we flounder.According to Gregory LaBlanc, a lecturer in management at Stanford GSB, attempting to communicate concepts reveals whether or not we properly grasped them in the first place. “If you think you understand something but you're incapable of communicating it, it probably means that you don't really understand it,” he says.For communication to be effective, LaBlanc says it’s not enough to transmit a message. As he and Matt Abrahams discuss on this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, we have to be skilled translators, adept at decoding our ideas and recoding them in ways our audience will understand.LaBlanc is the host of unSILOed.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. “Habits are easier to form than most people think,” he says, “If you do it in the right way.”As the founder and director of Stanford's Behavior Design Lab, Fogg has devoted much of his career to researching human psychology, motivation, and behavior. According to him, habit formation isn’t a product of simply doing something over and over again. “It's not a function of repetition,” he says, “it's a function of emotion.”As Fogg discusses with host Matt Abrahams in this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, bringing our behavior in line with our goals is easier than we think — we just have to know the emotional levers to pull.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInMore ResourcesBJ Fogg at StanfordTiny Habits

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge, especially without a script or prepared speech.In this "Best of" episode, we revisit Matt's conversation with Kenneth Romeo about specific tactics that non-native speakers can use to handle in-the-moment challenges. Romeo also discusses why letting go of perfection is a key step toward speaking with confidence. Romeo has served as the associate director of the Stanford Language Center and a teacher of English to non-native speakers through Stanford Continuing Studies. Romeo is a professor at Waseda University in Japan. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“The self is incompatible with freedom, the way most people understand it, because the self is a constraint,” says social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior Brian Lowery. “The ‘you’ you’re talking about is actually the relationships you have, the social interactions you have and the cultural context you exist in."In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lowery sits down with podcast host and lecturer in strategic communications Matt Abrahams to talk about his new book, Selfless: The Social Creation of You. Lowery argues that there is no essential “self” — our selves are creations of those we interact with — exploring what that means for who we can be and who we allow others to be. He also shares research on how asking deeply personal questions can be a tool for deepening relationships. Brian Lowery is the co-director of the Stanford Institute on Race and the host of the podcast, Know What You See. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“If you're not living life according to your own values, you're most likely living them according to someone else's,” says Charlotte Burgess-Auburn.Burgess-Auburn is a designer, artist, educator, and the Director of Community at the d.school. With her recently published guide, You Need A Manifesto: How To Craft Your Convictions And Put Them To Work, she aims to help people identify their core values and then codify them to chart a course of meaning and purpose.“A manifesto is a statement of purpose and a script for action,” she says, “a compass [and] navigation tool to help you find your way.” As she and Matt Abrahams discuss on this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, a personal manifesto can help us communicate our deepest values — first to ourselves, and then to the world.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.It’s easy to feel like the star of the show when giving a presentation. But according to communication guru Nancy Duarte, you’re not the hero of this story.For Duarte, founder and CEO of world-renowned communication consulting firm Duarte Inc, effective communication is built on the foundation of empathy, which means considering your audience first and foremost. “All the attention is on us. But in reality, the audience is the one,” she says. “If they don’t leave with your idea adopted, your idea is going to die.”How can presenters use empathy to put their audience at center stage? As Duarte discusses with host Matt Abrahams in this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, it’s about seeking to understand before you start speaking.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Why does disagreement feel so personal? According to author, journalist, and physician Seema Yasmin, it’s because beliefs aren’t just about what we think, they’re about who we are.“What [people] believe is entrenched in them, and it’s to do with their sense of belonging and their sense of identity,” says Yasmin. Whether we’re butting heads over something trivial like sports or something major like COVID-19 vaccines, Yasmin points out that the disagreement is just the surface — underneath are complex layers of geopolitics, history, language, dialect, culture, faith, family history, and power hierarchies.So how do we show compassion to others, especially when we disagree with them? Yasmin and host Matt Abrahams explore strategies for more empathetic communication in this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Words have impact. But when it comes to enchanting audiences and captivating with communication, Jonah Berger, PhD ’07, says some words are more potent than others.Berger is a Wharton School professor and an internationally bestselling author. His most recent book, Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way, identifies language we can use to communicate more effectively in all sorts of personal and professional contexts. “Subtle shifts in language can have a huge impact on everything from convincing clients and holding attention to connecting with loved ones in our lives,” Berger says.Magic words allow us to change minds, engage audiences, and drive action. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast, Berger and host Matt Abrahams discuss how we can leverage their power in our own communication.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.If we want healthier companies, schools, and teams associate professor of organizational behavior Adina Sterling says investing in the health of marginalized groups “can have enormous spillover effects for everyone.”Sterling is an organizational theorist and economic sociologist whose research explores how human relationships affect organizations and markets. As she says, “The outcomes that individuals, groups, and organizations experience have to do with the social networks that they have.”In her class and lab, Equity by Design, Sterling explores the structural and cultural drivers of workplace inequality. In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, she and Matt Abrahams discuss how organizations can leverage social networks, DE&I efforts, and better communication to create better outcomes for individuals and the collective.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.To celebrate our 75th episode, we hosted a live "Ask Me Anything" event with Matt. In this global gathering, listeners called in with questions ranging from making a first impression and giving negative feedback to presenting virtually and the worst communication advice Matt's ever received. In addition to audience questions, Matt also shares a short lecture to outline his top three guiding principles when it comes to being a confidence speaker and leader. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00:00) Introduction (00:02:00) Know Your Audience: First and foremost is their knowledge level relative to the topic that we're discussing. Do they know a lot or do they know just a little?(00:03:51) Principle 1. Set Your Communication Goal: A goal has three major parts: information, emotion, and action. The best metric of success is: Is your audience leaving knowing what you want them to know? Feeling how you want them to feel? And doing what you want them to do?(00:05:08) Principle 2. Structure your message. Using: What, So What, Now What. (00:07:01) Principle 3. The Art of the Paraphrase.(00:09:14) Using Paraphrasing to move a conversation forward(00:11:01) Ask me anything:[11:24] Question 1: What is the worst communication advice that you have ever given or received?[13:11] Question 2: How can you try to understand the expectations or knowledge or background of your audience in order to make your presentation effective?[16:05] Question 3: How do I communicate negative feedback to a colleague, especially when there's an action step involved?[18:30] Question 4: How would you make your first impression?[22:00] Question 5: How has virtual communication changed the way we communicate?

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In this "Quick Thinks" episode, host Matt Abrahams interviews ChatGPT, an AI natural language processing chatbot, about its purpose, sources of information, ethical considerations, and the importance of human communication skills.To produce this episode, Matt typed his questions to ask ChatGPT, then recorded them in the studio. Producers then used Descript Overdub to "read" ChatGPT's responses.[Show Notes]The purpose of ChatGPT is to provide informative and accurate responses to questions in natural language.ChatGPT uses vast amounts of text data from the internet to generate responses based on patterns it has seen in the data.It is important to critically evaluate ChatGPT's responses and not rely on them as the sole source of information.The ultimate responsibility for ensuring academic integrity and ethical behavior lies with the individuals using ChatGPT.Effective communication skills are still essential, even with the existence of ChatGPT, as it cannot replace the human interaction and emotional intelligence that comes with face-to-face communication.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn[00:00:00] Introduction: Matt Abrahams welcomes listeners to this special episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, where he will be interviewing an AI algorithm, ChatGPT.[00:01:17] ChatGPT's Purpose: Matt asks ChatGPT to define its purpose and give two examples of how it can be used. ChatGPT responds by saying its purpose is to provide informative and accurate responses to questions in natural language and gives examples of answering factual questions and generating creative text.[00:02:04] How ChatGPT Gets Its Information: Matt asks ChatGPT where it gets its information to answer questions. ChatGPT explains that it is a language model trained by OpenAI on vast amounts of text data from the internet, which allows it to generate responses based on patterns it has seen in the data.[00:03:07] Ensuring Accuracy and Ethics: Matt asks ChatGPT about safeguards to ensure its answers are appropriate, accurate, and ethical. ChatGPT emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating its responses and notes that not all information on the internet is accurate. It also states that the ultimate responsibility for ensuring academic integrity and ethical behavior lies with the individuals using ChatGPT.[00:04:23] Reducing Speaking Anxiety: Matt asks ChatGPT to give advice on reducing speaking anxiety in a fun way, as a Dr. Seuss rhyme. ChatGPT provides advice on deep breathing, being confident, and speaking with pride.[00:04:53] The Need for Human Communication Skills: Matt asks ChatGPT if people still need to learn how to communicate better now that it exists. ChatGPT responds by saying that effective communication skills are still essential, as it cannot replace the human interaction and emotional intelligence that comes with face-to-face communication.[00:05:00] Conclusion: Matt concludes the episode by thanking ChatGPT for joining him on Think Fast, Talk Smart and for providing valuable insights into the world of AI and communication.

Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of strategic communication at Stanford GSB, as he sits down with experts from across campus to discuss public speaking anxiety, speaking off the cuff, nailing a Q&A, and more.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.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's books: Influence and Pre-SuasionConnect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Do love and money mix? Labor economist and Stanford Graduate School of Business professor emerita Myra Strober says absolutely. “Separating money and love is not a good idea. I have had 40 years to think about this, and, in my class at the GSB on work and family, each semester I realize how important it is to intertwine love and money."In this podcast episode, Matt Abrahams sits down with Strober and social innovation leader Abby Davisson to discuss the thorny topics of work, money, career, and love. In their new book, Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life’s Biggest Decisions, the coauthors provide a framework for communicating in and around tough decisions with those we love. These may include caring for aging relatives, expanding your family, changing careers or moving.“If you are in a relationship, maybe you have kids or other people living in your household, the first thing you need to realize is that your career decisions are going to affect the whole ecosystem,” Davisson says. “It’s very important not just to clarify what you want, but to anticipate and think about the impact on those around you.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInMore resources: Myra Strober: Breaking Barriers at Stanford GSB Achieving Balance In Work and Life, video with Myra StroberMyra Strober: How the Workplace Works — or Doesn't — for FamiliesAn Economist’s Take on Why Parental Leave MattersHow Companies Can Solve the Pay Equity ProblemMoney and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life's Biggest Decisions, HarperCollinsStrober and Davisson on Forbes

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In one of our most popular episodes, professor of Marketing Baba Shiv shares his research on how emotions affect decision making. Knowing this, and applying techniques to help guide our audience through information and emotion, can help us make our messages stick. In this best-of episode we've included extra footage from Matt Abrahams's conversation with Shiv from November of 2020 that touches on how to best approach writing emails.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.As a communication expert, Alison Wood Brooks spends a lot of time talking about talking. But, as she says, listening is just as important.“My course is called TALK,” says Wood Brooks, who is the O'Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at Harvard Business School. “The great irony is that it should really be called LISTEN. It’s hard to be a good listener yet so very important.”In the latest episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Wood Brooks covers conversation strategies for active listening, turning anxiety into excitement, and knowing when it’s time to change the subject.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.When it comes to negotiating and managing conflict, Professor Michele Gelfand says it’s time to get creative.Everybody has wants and needs. So what do we do when our priorities compete with those of other people? According to Gelfand, a professor of organizational behavior, negotiations and conflict management are exercises in creative problem-solving, ones where we look for ways to not only get what we want, but for those on the other side of the table to get what they want too. “The best negotiators tend to be the most creative,” says Gelfand.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Gelfand joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how creative communication can help us find solutions where everybody wins.Read part one of our interview with Gelfand here. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInMore resources:How Culture Affects Communication StylesThreatening Language Why The Pandemic Slammed Loose Countries

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.As Professor Jesper Sørensen sees it, a winning strategy is the result of conversations, not commands.Sørensen says 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.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInAdditional resources:Making Great Strategy: Arguing for Organizational Advantage, by Jesper B. Sørensen Glenn R. CarrollClass Takeaways: Crafting and Leading Strategy: Five lessons in five minutes — Professor Jesper Sørenson teaches how to create and implement a successful business strategy.

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.What’s the secret to coming up with good ideas? For Jeremy Utley, it’s about generating as many as possible. The director of executive education at the Stanford d.school, Utley says, “very few problems we face in business or in life have a single right answer.” All ideas — the good, the bad, and the ugly — are “a necessary input to an innovation process,” and an essential step in getting to solutions that will actually work.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Utley and host Matt Abrahams explore how we can focus less on finding the “right” answer and open ourselves up to more innovative ideas.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says it’s not about making them go away, but using them to your advantage.“What I have come to value about anxiety,” says McGonigal, “is it’s a sign that I care.” As she explains, feelings of stress alert us to things that matter to us and help us stay present in the moment — particularly useful, she says, when it comes to communication.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McGonigal and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to channel stress toward more effective communication and to a deeper connection to our own purpose and meaning.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.As the dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business, Dean Jon Levin knows the importance of crafting the right message and sharing it in the right way. But, as he says, one of the biggest challenges for any leader is to know what to communicate, and how. How do leaders strike the balance between being clear and directive, and as Levin says, “leaving space for people to form their own opinions, to discuss ideas, to debate”? He joins host and lecturer of strategic communications Matt Abrahams to discuss on this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Why do we drive on only one side of the road? Why don’t we sing in libraries? Why wear a swimsuit?For Professor Michele Gelfand, it all comes down to culture. As a cross-cultural psychologist, Gelfand is fascinated by social environments and their effects on human behavior, particularly, how strictly people adhere to social norms.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Gelfand joins host and lecturer of strategic communications Matt Abrahams to explain why some cultures are “tight” and “have strict social norms,” while others are “loose,” with “more permissibility of behavior.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInSHOW NOTES Stanford GSB InsightsThreatening Language Can Be Contagious. This New Tool Tracks Its SpreadWhy the Pandemic Slammed “Loose” Countries Like the U.S.MicheleGelfand.comRule Makers, Rule Breakers: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our WorldMindset Quiz: How Tight or Loose Are You?Other articles: The loosening of American culture over 200 years is associated with a creativity–order trade-offThe relationship between cultural tightness–looseness and COVID-19 cases and deaths: a global analysis

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says Andrew Huberman associate professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University.In this “Best of” episode, we revisit one of our most popular interviews. In it, Huberman, from the wildly popular Huberman Lab Podcast, shares his research on the autonomic continuum, a spectrum between states of high alertness or fear all the way down to deep sleep, and shares how to use the system to your advantage. “If people can conceptualize that the anxiety or stress response is the same as the excitement response, they feel different,” Huberman says.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInTimestamps[1:32] Best of Summer series Episode 3 Homework Assignment: Breathing exercise[3:09] The autonomic continuum and the state we enter when we get nervous[5:59] Our nervous system when we're getting ready to go to the podium[10:02] A relaxation hack: forward movement under conditions of anxiety or high levels of alertness[12:50] EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing: side-to-side eye movement that triggers the suppression of fear in the brain[15:11] Ways to raise your stress tolerance for high levels of agitation in your body.[17:25] Breathing hack: Just an exhale is the wrong advice. You want to do a double inhale. So inhale twice through the nose. So inhale through the nose. And then before you exhale, sneak in a little bit more air and then do a long exhale.[20:05] What we can do to prepare for anxiety in advance.[22:50] Insight for virtual communication.[24:44] Huberman's answer to the Think Fast, Talk Smart three questions Matt asks all guests.

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“We need to be much more adaptive in the way we think about hybrid work,” says Michael Arena. “Experiment, experiment, experiment.”Innovation relies on teams connecting in very specific ways. But are those connections possible in a hybrid work reality? Glenn Carroll, a professor of management at Stanford GSB, and Michael Arena, a faculty member of Penn's Master's in Organizational Dynamics program, have been looking for the answer — studying how team interactions have changed since millions of workers went remote.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, they discuss how teams can optimize their communications to keep innovating in a post-pandemic world.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. But we can build the reputation we want through conscious communication.On this podcast episode, strategic communication lecturers Matt Abrahams and Allison Kluger share techniques on effectively improving and managing your reputation.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInShow Notes:Allison Kluger, Stanford GSB profileReputation Rules, by Daniel Diermeier“How Tylenol Made a Comeback” NYTimesAllison Kluger: "Telling your Story Can Lead to Success and Opportunity"Allison Kluger: Last Lecture Series: “If Not You, Then Who”

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Your words — are they credible? Or are they what Paul Oyer calls “cheap talk?”According to professor of economics Paul Oyer, how our words align with our actions isn’t just a matter of communication, but a matter of economics too. Economic concepts hold in all areas of life, which Oyer’s research has explored in everything from Uber driving to online dating.“Economics is everywhere,” Oyer says. “It's an incredibly powerful lens to analyze almost anything in the real world.”Join Matt Abrahams, lecturer in strategic communication, as he sits down with experts from across campus to discuss public speaking anxiety, speaking off the cuff, nailing a Q&A, and more. Find us on LinkedIn for more communication tips and techniques by searching "Think Fast, Talk Smart."Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInShow Notes: An Economist Goes to the Game: How to Throw Away $580 Million and Other Surprising Insights from the Economics of Sportsby Paul Oyer"Utility Player: Paul Oyer Explains How Economics Can Make Sports More Fun"Books by William ManchesterEmpire Falls by Richard Russo

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In the kickoff to our Summer Learning Series, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes. This interview features Stanford GSB faculty members Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas and gives specific insights into how humor can transform your communication at home and at work. At the time of this episode, their book Humor, Seriously was just set to launch.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.All communication comes from a place of creativity and creativity is rooted in design. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, strategic communications lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams interviews four authors from the Stanford d.school. Each conversation challenges convention in how we approach our communication, be it visual, body language, or speech. Listen to this episode to hear more from Ashish Goel, author of Drawing on Courage; Susie Wise, author of Design for Belonging; Carissa Carter, author of The Secret Language of Maps; and Andrea Small, co author of Navigating Ambiguity.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInShow NotesInterpersonal Dynamics, Stanford Graduate School of BusinessThink Fast, Talk Smart with Sarah Stein Greenberg: "Ideas & Empathy: How to Design and Communicate with Others in Mind"

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“It's not reassuring when we don't know the answers to critically important questions involved in health and wellbeing. But it's far more of a problem if we try to pretend we do.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Medical School dean Lloyd Minor sits down with podcast host Matt Abrahams to discuss transparency in leadership. “Rather than pushing ambiguity away, we should lean into it, and use it as a stimulus to guide our communication in more effective ways.” They also discuss the benefits an introvert can bring to leadership roles and critical role listening plays for anyone in a position of power. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help us achieve our goals?These are the questions most interesting to Szu-chi Huang, an associate professor of marketing with a specific interest in motivation. “Competition definitely increases motivation,” says Huang. “It makes attaining the goal more valuable.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Huang and host Matt Abrahams explore the intersection of human psychology, behavior, and goal attainment—and how communication connects them all.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInShow Notes"How Pursuit of the Same Goal Can Turn Friends Into Foes," Stanford GSB Insights"Step by Step: Sub-Goals as a Source of Motivation," Faculty Research: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In relationships between imperfect people, mistakes are inevitable. And when we find ourselves with damaged connections, it’s a specific kind of communication that can help us make amends.Fred Luskin is the Director of the Stanford University Forgiveness Project, and has devoted much of his career to researching the way forgiveness affects our psychological, relational, and physical health.“Apology is one of the few things that research shows actually facilitates forgiveness,” Luskin explains. In this Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast with host and strategic communication lecturer Matt Abrahams, Luskin outlines what it means to truly say we’re sorry.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Listening actively and deeply happens when I genuinely believe that the person who's speaking has intrinsic worth and brings a perspective that I lack and need.”This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart features Kristin Hansen, lecturer in management and executive director of Civic Health Project, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to reduce extreme polarization and foster healthier civil discourse in U.S. citizenry, politics, and media.Together with host Matt Abrahams, Hansen shares how from our workplaces to our personal lives, communication thrives when we cultivate open-mindedness, intellectual humility, and genuine curiosity.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Anyone can make a complicated thing sound complicated. It takes real skill to make it sound simple.”This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart features Steve Blank, seasoned entrepreneur, marketer, and Stanford adjunct professor in the Department of Management Science and Engineering. “Messages need to be memorable,” he tells podcast host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams. “The more memorable the message, the greater its ability to create change.”Blank teaches courses on Lean Startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and throughout his 45 years of launching businesses and helping others do the same, he’s learned the importance of crafting the perfect message by keeping it simple.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Very often, you are not designing for yourself. And you kind of have to get out of your own way to effectively design with others’ needs in mind.”In this podcast episode, lecturer Matt Abrahams is joined by Sarah Stein Greenberg, Director of the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, aka the Stanford d.school, and author of Creative Acts for Curious People: How to Think, Create, and Lead in Unconventional Ways.Together, Greenberg and Abrahams discuss how design and communication require seeing things from more than just our own point of view, and the tools we can use to broaden our perspectives.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“A mistake that some leaders make is to assume that the people in your organization share your core values. Some of the time some of them do, but there's a bunch who don't, and those are the most difficult sorts of situations.” In this podcast episode, Political Science professors Neil Malhotra and Ken Shotts sit down with host and lecturer Matt Abrahams, to discuss how to lead others whose values may not align with your own. “The most effective thing you can do is to understand the other person's story and frame the language and arguments around them. And I think kind of this is what framing is about, it's fundamentally about being empathetic.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“You’re not going to hit the mark with everybody, but you still need to be mindful of everybody,” says Jonathan Levav, the King Philanthropies Professor of Marketing. “That’s critical to create an environment where communication is effective.”In this podcast episode, Levav sits down with podcast host Matt Abrahams to talk about the science behind decision fatigue, how to lead effectively while working from home, and how to create the right company culture both in the office and online. The right communication, Levav says, fosters an environment for creativity, innovation, and collaboration. “How can you encourage those serendipitous conversations that tend to happen in person?”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams sits down with finance professors Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen to talk about their new podcast, All Else Equal.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In this 50th episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams and executive producer Jenny Luna share the winners' plans from our Confident Communicator Challenge and offer new, research-backed techniques for managing nervousness both before and during your communication. Thank you to many, many listeners from all over the world who sent in their anxiety management plans. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Make them want to turn the page,” says Paula Moya, a professor at Stanford University and author of The Social Imperative: Race, Close Reading, and Contemporary Literary Criticism. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Moya sits down with strategic communication lecturer Matt Abrahams to share how the elements of story can be used in other types of communication. Create compelling situations, full of sense and surprise, she says. Create characters we can empathize with; speak your written sentences aloud, and, Moya advises, think of the images your words may conjure up and how they may be interpreted by different audiences. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“We have to make data emotional because emotions are what drive us to act,” says Chip Heath, a professor of organizational behavior and author of the new book, Making Numbers Count: The Art of Science of Communicating Numbers. In this interview with podcast host Matt Abrahams, Heath talks about ways that data and statistics can be used to illuminate — or obscure — our message. “A lot of people in the world don’t understand numbers like the numbers people,” he says. “And there are a lot of untranslated numbers that float around in organizations and in society.” Heath suggests thinking about numbers like a foreign language we need to “translate” for our audience: “If we don’t translate numbers into something that’s more tangible, we’re going to sacrifice in a big way.“ Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Eighty five percent of people report being nervous about speaking in public, and I believe the other 15% are lying,” says Matt Abrahams, lecturer in Strategic Communication and podcast host. “What is it about speaking in front of others that makes most of us nervous? Well, those of us who study this ubiquitous fear believe it is part of our human condition.” In this special episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams returns to one of the podcast's main goals: helping people become more confident communicators. Listen to interviews with Stanford University professors who research stress as they share insights into why these feelings affect our communication, and how to overcome them. To find more resources on public speaking anxiety, visit stanford.io/AMP.  Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Great founders are great storytellers,” says Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Stephanos Zenios in this “Quick Thinks” episode. Zenios is the director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and heads Startup Garage, a project-based course where teams design and test business concepts that address real-world problems. “Founders have to tell a story to their customer so that they can inspire them to test and use their new product. They have to tell a story to their employees to inspire them to take some risk. And then, they have to tell a story to investors and their board.” Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“To be creative, ideas must be both novel and useful. That’s the definition that we use in creativity research,” says Justin Berg, an assistant professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business. But, he warns: “Novel ideas are often not very useful and useful ideas are often not very novel.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Berg sits down with lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams to share lessons from his work on creativity, which has included conducting experiments with both movie directors and circus performers. “The takeaway is that we should never stop being a creator. As managers and executives climb up the organizational ladder, they may benefit from staying involved in the creative R&D side of things, rather than just spend time having ideas pitched to them.” Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In each episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford GSB lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams asks his guests the same question: “What are the first three ingredients in a successful communication recipe?” Answers have ranged from specific and poetic, to impactful and thought-provoking. In this episode, we bring you some favorite responses, as well as Matt’s tips for solving three common communication challenges that tend to arise during the holiday season. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium."Leadership is a role that you play, like a part you play in other people’s lives. And [your] expression of that role is your responsibility as a leader,” says Stanford GSB lecturer Melissa Jones Briggs. Jones Briggs’ work combines techniques from the theater with social science research to teach lessons about power and communication. In this conversation with podcast host Matt Abrahams, she discusses how acting in a leadership position requires staying present and also knowing when to step back. “Power and authority often determine which stories are centered and which stories are marginalized,” Jones Briggs says. “By uncovering previously untold stories, we can create environments that invite new stories in, and that helps shape inclusive and equitable work cultures.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInShow NotesMelissa Jones Briggs Washington Post: Virtual work is making you talk like a business robot. Here’s how to ‘circle back’ to being human.Kenji Yoshino, Professor of Law at New York UniversityKay Kostopolous, Actor, Director, and Theater CoachErving Grossman, Canadian-American Sociologist

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Social psychologists believe that if we want to understand our own behavior and the behavior of others, the first thing we have to ask or notice is, ‘What is the situation in which they are performing, in which they are behaving?’ And then we want to know as much about the situation as possible.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford emeritus psychology professor Phillip Zimbardo sits down with host Matt Abrahams to discuss how time influences our perception and our positive or negative thought processes. The two also talk about how the findings of Zimbardo’s most notable (and controversial) study — the 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment — inform our understanding of human behavior. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the smallest modicum of silence, but learning often happens when we create distance for useful reflection.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Dobbs talks with host Matt Abrahams about the importance of “space, pace, and grace” when you’re receiving others’ feedback and handling the emotions that come out during tough discussions.  “There’s often a lot more focus on the skill set on delivering emotion than receiving emotion, but if the receiver of emotion can put themselves in a place of curiosity, agency, and openness. . . . opens up a whole new world of possibilities.” Dobbs is an executive coach and teaches several courses, including Interpersonal Dynamics, and Leadership Labs. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Part of teamwork is dating,” says Stefanos Zenios, The Investment Group of Santa Barbara Professor of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Operations, Information & Technology. “Dating each other to see whether you can work well together. It’s about developing how you will speak with each other in the team, how you will manage difficult conversations, and how to be respectful, but also how to help each other grow.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams sits down with Professor Zenios to hear more about the methods shared in the Stanford GSB project-based course Startup Garage. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Stress is natural, stress is inevitable when you're living a life that's connected with things you care about. And learning how to embrace it, learning how to work with it is really what helps us thrive and grow and perform at our highest level, according to psychologist and associate professor at Stanford, Alia Crum. In this podcast episode, Crum talks with host and lecturer Matt Abrahams about her research and findings as principal investigator of the Stanford Mind and Body Lab where she is focusing on reshaping our mindset to embrace stress. “There's a whole side of stress that shows that it can have enhancing qualities on our cognitive functioning, our physical health and on how we behave and interact with others,” she says.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with David Eagleman, a neuroscientist and the host of the PBS series The Brain, to discuss why our brains are wired for storytelling and how new senses might impact our connection and communication with others. “I’ve always been really interested in this idea of how we can pass information to the brain via unusual channels," Eagleman says. "We’ve got our eyes or ears or fingertips and our nose, we’re very used to this and we sort of think these are fundamental, but of course, this is just what we’ve inherited from a long road of evolution... It turns out you can push information in the brain in other ways.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“One of the things I think is really exciting about all this, and perhaps a little bit frightening, is nobody actually knows how to do it. It is not something that we’ve ever done before. And I’ve studied a lot of globally distributed work, and virtual teams, and so forth. But hybrid work is not that and it’s not telecommuting, which we know a bit about. But it’s something that is a mix of these multiple different modes of working,” says Pamela Hinds, Fortinet Founders Chair and professor of management science and engineering at Stanford University.In this podcast episode, Hinds talks with host and lecturer Matt Abrahams about her research on the effect of technology on teams, teamwork, and innovation by exploring issues of culture, language, identity, and conflict in promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration. “Employees are going to expect flexibility. Organizations are going to need to sustain a higher level of flexibility with regard to when and where people work.” Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford GSB Lecturer Robert Siegel sits down with Matt Abrahams to discuss the role of communication in helping businesses to adapt and transform and his new book The Brains and Brawn Company: How Leading Organizations Blend the Best of Digital and Physical Specifically. “You have to see how things are interacting with each other. You have to see how your organization is interacting both internally and externally. And so what we found is that great systems leaders were really good at managing the narrative,” says Siegel.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sara Singer, a professor of organizational behavior (by courtesy) at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a professor of medicine at Stanford School of Medicine, sits down with lecturer Matt Abrahams to discuss the role of open communication in high-performing teams. “Learning requires leadership that reinforces learning, a supportive environment, including especially psychological safety, but also an appreciation for differences when you’re working with people of lots of different backgrounds, and openness to new ideas,” she says.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“I say sometimes that leadership is a journey into yourself. It’s self-renewal, self-reflection, self-confidence. It’s going to bed kind of scratching your head and saying, “Man, I’m not as good,” and waking up the next morning and trying it again — and I think that’s what matters.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, former CEO of General Electric and Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer Jeff Immelt sits down with lecturer Matt Abrahams to discuss communicating during times of challenge and pressure. “There’s no such thing as perfection of crisis,” Immelt says. “This is a pass-fail test, and all you really want to do is make progress.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Simple language, forceful language, vivid language, and keeping it simple and direct,” says Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, are all tools to increase the strength of your communication. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host and lecturer Matt Abrahams interviews Jeffrey Pfeffer, author of Dying for a Paycheck, about the verbal and nonverbal ways we can harness, or give away, our authority in communication. To hear more from Jeffrey, listen to Pfeffer on Power, a podcast about accelerating your career.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous about or dreading,” says Andrew Huberman, associate professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University. In this podcast episode, Huberman talks with host and lecturer Matt Abrahams about his research on the autonomic continuum, a spectrum between states of very high alertness or fear, all the way down to deep sleep, and shares how to better-use the system to your advantage.  “If people can conceptualize that the anxiety or stress response is the same as the excitement response, they feel different,” Huberman says. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Communication is such a delicate dance and kids need to emerge from childhood having practiced,” says Julie Lythcott-Haims, former associate vice provost of undergraduate education Stanford University. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with Lythcott-Haims to discuss her new book, Your Turn: How to be an Adult, and ideas on how to communicate with young people so they feel empowered to take on the various (and often intimidating) duties of adulthood. “Responsibility isn’t a bad thing,” she says. “Responsibility is actually an amazing thing. And I think we have to do a better job of narrating that truth.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.It has been over a year since millions of people have switched from office work to working from home. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and host Matt Abrahams highlights guests’ top takeaways on how to best communicate, share information, and cultivate a professional presence though the screen. “I think we have to find ways to reduce cognitive overload,” says Professor and Senior Associate Dean Sarah Soule. “I now offer my information in much smaller pieces interspersed with breakout groups.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Communication, conflict, and cooperation are intertwined in a multitude of ways,” says Nir Halevy, associate professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Halevy sits down with host and lecturer Matt Abrahams, to discuss how we can often solve conflicts and disagreements by employing the correct strategy in our communication.  “How you articulate a particular grievance, your choice of words, the nonverbal aspects of your claim, such as the tone of your voice, can definitely influence reactions to your claim,” Halevy says.  Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.The information you receive is only as strong as the questions you ask. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturers Matt Abrahams and Debra Schifrin discuss how to craft inquiries that can lead to better communication outcomes. Questions are also instrumental in building relationships, Schifrin points out. “If you’re asking questions, you’re signaling to the other person that you value them. You’re taking time to listen to their answers.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Recognizing the importance of forging connections with others — and learning how to build those bonds in real time — is the focus of a course that’s been the most popular elective at Stanford GSB for decades: Interpersonal Dynamics. The iconic course has taught thousands of students and professionals what it means to have exceptional relationships and how to interact with others in a way that contributes to deeper, stronger connections.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with David Bradford and Carole Robin, lecturer and former lecturer of iconic Stanford GSB class Interpersonal Dynamics to discuss their new book, Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues. Both lecturers in leadership, Bradford and Robin outline what they’ve been teaching in the classroom for a broader audience.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Psychology trumps technology,” says Jeff Hancock, founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab and professor in the Department of Communication at Stanford.“If you want to understand what's going on in social media, the first place to start is with what's going on psychologically.”On the latest episode of *Think Fast, Talk Smart,* lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with Professor Hancock, to talk about the communication tendencies, styles, and mistakes of social media users. “Whenever there's a new kind of technology ... our focus is on what it's doing,” Professor Hancock says. “But I think over time what we end up realizing is that it's still people using it to accomplish things. And I think when we start to when we step back … we can get a sense of what really is changing.” Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“The reader is impatient,” says Glenn Kramon, Stanford GSB lecturer in management and editor at the New York Times. “Start with the most important conclusion and then explain how you got there.”On the latest episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams sits down with Glenn Kramon to talk about just how important our writing is — from a lengthy report to the opening line of an email. Listen as they discuss tips on improving your writing skills and share examples of what not to do.  Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.As we look back on more than 20 interviews with Think Fast, Talk Smart guests, we’ve heard one piece of advice over and again: Know Your Audience. This wisdom echoes what research clearly shows: Content that is relevant and meaningful to an audience is more likely to be heard, retained and acted upon. The word communication comes from the Latin for to “make common,” yet many of us start our message from the wrong place. As lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams shares in this Quick Thinks episode, by taking the time to learn about our audience and their needs, we can better craft our messages for them and be more useful, engaging and successful.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Something like 90 to 95% of our decisions and behaviors are constantly being shaped the non-consciously by emotional brain system.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Professor of Marketing Baba Shiv sits down with lecturer and host Matt Abrahams to share his research on how emotions affect our, and our audience’s, decision making. “You’ve got to pay careful attention to the audience that you’re talking to and allow the person to talk,” Shiv says. “Allow the person to talk because then, the person has ownership of the idea.” Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Effective is being able to achieve your goals, which is important, but there are plenty of people who achieve their goals that most of us would find unworthy. So the question what does it take to be a good leader requires you to reflect on the values that you hold dear.”In this episode of *Think Fast, Talk Smart*, Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Organizational Behavior Brian Lowery sits down with lecturer and host Matt Abrahams to discuss the importance of self inquiry and an examination of one's own values in order to be effectively communicate and lead.  “Society is not designed, really, to evoke deep thought about the fault lines in the broader community," Lowery says. "That’s not something that is going to be presented to you. It’s something that you have to look for and pay attention to.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Knowing your values gives you a beacon, or a lamppost, that can inform how you’re going to prioritize your actions.”   In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer and Stanford University’s former Vice President of Public Affairs David Demarest speaks with host and lecturer Matt Abrahams on why knowing your values and the concerns of your stakeholders lays the foundation for any communication during a time of crisis.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.What way can the language we use reinforce existing stereotypes and biases? In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Sarah Soule, Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Organizational Behavior sits down with lecturer and host Matt Abrahams to discuss how even the details of our word choice can shape culture, for better or worse.  Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“Sparking communication starts with asking why or what or how.” On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Tina Seelig, the Professor of the Practice in Stanford’s department of Management Science and Engineering, sits down with podcast host and lecturer Matt Abrahams to talk about the structures of storytelling that will help become more creative communicators and the importance of asking questions about everything we do. “Having a mindset of curiosity opens the door to great communication,” Seelig says. “The more questions you ask, the more you learn, the more engaged you will be with others.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInShow notes:Creativity Rules: Get Ideas Out of Your Head and Into the World  inGenius: A Crash Course on CreativityStanford Technology Ventures Program Knight Hennessy Scholars program

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“In companies, you’re interacting with other people who come from different cultural contexts, and in order to be effective, you have to understand how much of your own communication and other people’s communication is shaped by their cultural ideas and their cultural values.” On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams sits down with Jeanne Tsai, an associate professor of Psychology at Stanford and director of the Culture and Emotion Lab. Jeanne’s research focuses on cultural influences on psychological and social processes related to emotion. Jeanne discusses why wearing a mask is more accepted for some cultures, and seen as prohibiting communication in others. “Communication is just one of the places where you really can see culture at work,” she says. “In cultural contexts that promote these more independent views of the self, the core goal of communication is to express yourself, to express those beliefs, preferences and desires that define who you are.” Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.“The less time you can spend dwelling on your mistakes, the more mental energy you can devote to doing what you need to do in that moment.” On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Christian Wheeler, the StrataComm Professor of Management and Professor of Marketing at Stanford Graduate School Business, sits down with podcast host and lecturer Matt Abrahams to talk about embracing failure and managing your team in-the-moment. “When we’re confronted with personal failure, it feels bad to us. And we work hard to try to avoid that failure, and that can often be counterproductive,” Wheeler says. “But failing is something that’s on the pathway to success.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.We asked listeners to send in their communication conundrums and ended up with an inbox full of thoughtful, specific questions. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host and Stanford GSB lecturer Matt Abrahams is joined by Shawon Jackon, MBA ’21, to share techniques on crafting written responses, dealing with constant interruptions, and confronting the power dynamics present in most communication. Shawon is the founder of Our Voices Matter, a public speaking program for high school students of color and a dual-degree student between Stanford GSB and Harvard Kennedy School. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Knowing what to say to a skeptical audience is paramount, but how can your body language communicate empathy, openness, and power? In this “Quick Think” episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, we revisit Matt Abrahams’s conversation with Stanford GSB lecturer Burt Alper about how to keep body language in mind when it comes to handling objections.  Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Whether we realize it or not, we negotiate everyday. But when we approach these situations as a win-or-lose battle, we’re already showing resistance, and setting ourselves up for difficulty. But what if you reframed the whole idea, to think of a negotiation not as a fight, but as a problem-solving exercise involving emotions?In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart Matt Abrahams speaks with Stanford GSB Professor emeritus Maggie Neale (and author of Getting More of What You Want: How the Secrets of Economics and Psychology Can Help You Negotiate Anything, in Business and in Life) about what she has learned in her decades of researching negotiation and the steps that lead to more collaborative problem solving. Listen as Maggie shares tips on how to approach negotiations with intention, and what strategies can help us more easily communicate our wants and needs. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Most of the work we do requires coordinating and collaborating with others. But how can we ensure the benefits of working with others, while avoiding conflict that’s inherent to communicating within groups?In this podcast episode, Matt Abrahams speaks with Bob Sutton, Professor of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford School of Engineering and GSB Professor of Organizational Behavior (by courtesy) about maximizing productivity while minimizing what he calls “friction.” “So many organizations make the right things too hard to do and the wrong things too easy,” Sutton says. “For communication, to me, a big part of a leader's job is to be clear about where people should focus attention and where they should not focus attention.” Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Humor does more than just make people laugh. It allows you to connect with your audience, diffuse tension, elevate status, and compel others to your point of view. Humor can also help you and your message stand out, yet most of us hesitate to use humor, especially in our professional lives.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams speaks with Stanford GSB Professor Jennifer Aaker and Lecturer Naomi Bagdonas about when and how humor operates in the work place. “Many believe that humor simply has no place amidst serious work,” Professor Aaker says. “Yet showing your sense of humor can make your peers and your friends attribute more perceptions of confidence and status to us while also cultivating a sense of trust.”Aaker and Bagdonas are are the authors of Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life, which comes out in October of this year. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Power exists in every relationship — whether we like that idea or not — and to be effective in any role, power needs to be understood. In this episode, Matt Abrahams sits down with Professor of Organizational Behavior Deborah Gruenfeld to discuss her new book, Acting with Power: Why We Are More Powerful Than We Believe. Deborah shares how body language can give us power, or take it from us, and advises how we can use power for good. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.We’re constantly bombarded with competing images, messaging, and bids for our attention. That's why as communicators, it’s increasingly important to know what engages people.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams speaks with Stanford GSB Professor Zak Tormala about the subtle ways you can structure your speech to get people to pay attention. “It’s not really about tricking people into doing what you want,” Professor Tormala says. “It’s more about understanding the factors that actually engage people or open them up to your idea and maybe get them to see something a little bit differently.”Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Most people feel nervous in situations such as speaking in front of a class, pitching a big idea, or giving a toast, yet research-backed techniques can help manage both the symptoms and sources of our speaking jitters.Matt Abrahams sits in the interviewee chair for this episode and talks with the podcast's producer, Jenny Luna, to share his backstory with public speaking anxiety and how by recognizing the causes of our nervousness, and applying mitigating techniques, we can gain confidence in our communication. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Although it may feel counter intuitive, letting go of our prepared notes and focusing on the present can help us communicate more effectively.In this "Quick Thinks" podcast episode, host Matt Abrahams speaks with Stanford University lecturers and improv theater experts Dan Klein and Adam Tobin on how staying in the moment allows communicators to connect with their audience. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Having to communicate in a language other than our native tongue can be quite a challenge. In this podcast episode, host Matt Abrahams speaks with Ken Romeo, the Associate Director for the Stanford Language Center, on specific tactics and approaches non-native speakers can use to prepare for speeches or presentations. Ken also shares advice on how to handle in-the-moment challenges, improve fluency, and let go of the need for perfection.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.We've all been in the situation where you have something important to contribute to a meeting and you don't know how to insert your thoughts. On this "Quick Thinks" episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, podcast host Matt Abrahams offers the three ways to insert your ideas, either by paraphrasing, asking a question, or stating an emotion. He also outlines the "What, So What, Now What" framework and explains how to use this structure to communicate your ideas more effectively. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Leading successful meetings remotely and being a strong speaker on-screen require specific skills. Communicating effectively has to do with your presence, ability to leverage tools, and your audience engagement. In this Quick Thinks episode, Stanford GSB Strategic Communications lecturer Matt Abrahams shares best practices for becoming a more effective and engaging online communicator.  Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Preparing to speak in front of a skeptical audience is more than thinking about objections beforehand – there are specific techniques you can use to respond to these challenging situations without sounding defensive, evasive, or dismissive. Here, we offer a few key tips for how to handle skepticism with aplomb.In this podcast, host Matt Abrahams and Stanford GSB lecturer Burt Alper share how to prepare for these challenges from your audience and discuss the importance of tactics like acknowledging audience input, reframing responses, and how to remain cool, collected, and credible. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.What does it mean to truly master communication? How can we speak and write for the most impact? In this podcast episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturers JD Schramm and Matt Abrahams discuss how to use self reflection for self improvement. They also offer methods for preparing for a high stakes situation such as a pitch meeting or an everyday interaction like an email. Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.As communicators, we often need to take complex information (e.g., financial, technical, or scientific) and make it more understandable for our audience – we’re experts and they likely aren’t. But having so much knowledge on the topics we discuss can often make the job more difficult: we dive in too quickly, forget about our audience's needs, or use jargon that goes over their heads. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, strategic communications lecturers Matt Abrahams and Lauren Weinstein explore the “curse of knowledge” and offer specific techniques you can use to be more successful in getting your point across.Connect:Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.How others perceive us in person and via social media can impact our careers and social standing. But we can build the reputation we want through conscious communication. On this podcast episode, strategic communication lecturers Matt Abrahams and Allison Kluger share techniques on effectively improving and managing your reputation.Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.Most professional communication is spontaneous in nature: it’s providing feedback in the moment, answering questions, introducing people. On this podcast episode, Strategic Communication lecturer Matt Abrahams speaks with Stanford lecturers Adam Tobin and Dan Klein on how to become more comfortable and confident in in-the-moment speaking situations. Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Join Matt Abrahams, lecturer in strategic communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he sits down with experts from across the world to discuss public speaking anxiety, speaking off the cuff, nailing a Q&A, and more.Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn,  Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn