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Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart

Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of Strategic Communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, every Tuesday as he sits down with experts in the field to discuss real-world challenges.

  • 21 minutes 34 seconds
    182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

    Clarify your purpose — and stop wasting time.

    The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices.

    As Cassie Holmes knows, how we spend our time has a big impact on our happiness and well-being. For her, that means focusing on the things not just immediately in front of us, but those that most closely align with our purpose.

    "When I say purpose, what I mean is what really drives you," explains Holmes, a professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management and author of Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most. Living a happier and more fulfilled life, she says, rests on using purpose to drive our decisions. “Once you clarify for yourself: what is your purpose? What is your why? Then you can use that as a filter [for] where you should be spending your time.”

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Holmes and host Matt Abrahams explore practical strategies for being more purposeful with our time. From email management to relationship building, Holmes shares research-backed approaches for achieving greater happiness through intentional choices.

    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (03:31) - Defining Purpose
    • (05:54) - Time Management Strategies
    • (08:26) - Time Tracking for Insight
    • (12:49) - Consolidating Tasks
    • (14:41) - Presence and Happiness
    • (16:44) - The Final Three Questions
    • (21:17) - Conclusion

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    30 January 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 23 seconds
    181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

    Why connection is the key to a life well lived.

    The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices.

    When it comes to happiness, Arthur Brooks says it’s not about reaching a destination — it's about heading in the right direction. And according to him, that direction is fundamentally about relationships.

    "Loving more people... more and more love... if you pursue that, you will defy the trends and get happier,” says Brooks, a social scientist, Harvard Business School professor, and author of several books including Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier, cowritten with Oprah Winfrey. According to him, a happy life is made of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning, which we cultivate through connection with others. "Faith, family, friends, and work, that's your basic happiness 401k plan,” he says.

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Brooks and host Matt Abrahams explore the fundamental role of relationships in creating a happy life, and how effective communication helps us build and maintain these essential connections.

    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:27) - Defining Happiness
    • (03:58) - The Macronutrients of Happiness
    • (05:00) - Challenges in Pursuing Happiness
    • (06:27) - Breaking Down Meaning in Life
    • (08:11) - Happiness Across Life Stages
    • (11:16) - Modern Happiness Challenges
    • (14:29) - Mindfulness and Being Present
    • (19:08) - The Final Three Questions
    • (22:54) - Conclusion

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    28 January 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 22 minutes 13 seconds
    180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

    Why creating happiness in the future starts today.


    The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices.

    In pursuing happiness and well-being, we often focus on the present moment. But according to Hal Hershfield, one of the best ways to help ourselves today is to have a conversation with ourselves in the future.

    "When I say future self, I really mean any version of us that exists at some later point in time," explains Hershfield, a UCLA professor and author of Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today. By thinking of our future selves as different people — ones we should care about — we can make better choices in the present. "If we can tap into the feelings of our future selves, then we can do more that benefits them, which may make our lives easier now and later."
    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Hershfield and host Matt Abrahams explore how communication between our present and future selves can help us set goals, make decisions, and overcome pitfalls like procrastination, enabling us to take meaningful action now so we can thrive today and tomorrow.


    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:12) - What Is a Future Self?
    • (03:37) - Mistakes in Time Travel Thinking
    • (04:45) - Overcoming Procrastination
    • (07:16) - Connecting to Our Future Selves
    • (10:35) - Disappointment and Adjusting Goals
    • (12:14) - Goal Setting and Motivation
    • (15:02) - Public Accountability for Motivation
    • (16:04) - The Final Three Questions
    • (20:35) - Conclusion

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    23 January 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 12 seconds
    179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

    A double definition of happiness — and how to cultivate both parts.


    The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices.

    There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to happiness, but according to Laurie Santos, everyone needs the two key components of contentment and fulfillment — or as she puts it, being happy in your life and happy with your life.

    “Being happy in your life [means] your life is filled with joy,” explains Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast. This felt sense of happiness — enjoying where we are, what we do, and who we’re with — is essential, but it’s not the only piece of the puzzle. Being happy with your life, she says, is the belief that “your life is going well. Being happy with your life gets closer to things like fulfillment and purpose.”

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Santos joins Matt Abrahams to explore how to cultivate both sides of her happiness equation, from building deeper connections with others to transforming the ways we communicate with ourselves.

    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:08) - Defining Happiness
    • (03:21) - The Role of Negative Emotions
    • (04:54) - Balancing Negative and Positive Emotions
    • (05:45) - Positive Communication
    • (07:18) - Improving Self-Talk
    • (09:50) - Deepening Conversations
    • (11:04) - Navigating Difficult Conversations
    • (12:39) - The Power of Gratitude
    • (15:15) - Technology and Wellbeing
    • (18:33) - The Final Three Questions
    • (22:35) - Conclusion

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    21 January 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 21 minutes 10 seconds
    178. Navigating Chaos and Uncertainty: The Power of Transparency and Empathy

    Clear communication during times of uncertainty.

    Whether leading people through a 15-minute meeting or a years-long pandemic, communication requires compassion. For Dr. Anthony Fauci, that means being clear about who we’re speaking to and concise in what we say.

    As one of the world's leading experts in infectious diseases and public health, Fauci has been America's most trusted voice during the COVID-19 pandemic and other health crises. Whether addressing groups of fellow scientists and specialists or everyday people, his communication approach is the same. "Know your audience," he says. "Decide what your message is and make it crisp [and] clear."

    In addition to being clear about the known facts, Fauci advocates for equal transparency about the unknowns. "Be totally transparent into what you know and what you don't know," he says. "Transparency, honesty and a little bit of humility — let the audience know that you don't know everything."

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Fauci joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how leaders can communicate more effectively by staying focused on what matters most. From managing uncertainty to handling contentious interactions, they explore how clarity and transparency build trust and drive results.

    Thank you to our Sponsor Superhuman for offering the TFTS community one month free.


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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:17) - Communication in Crisis
    • (03:23) - Strategies for Building Trust
    • (04:43) - Adapting Messages for Different Audiences
    • (06:48) - Techniques for Effective Communication
    • (08:15) - Managing High-Stakes Communication
    • (10:03) - Addressing Misinformation
    • (11:16) - Impromptu Speaking Skills
    • (14:28) - Managing Conflict in Communication
    • (15:34) - The Final Three Questions
    • (19:25) - Conclusion

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    14 January 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 22 minutes 27 seconds
    177. Don’t Resolve, Evolve: Top 10 Lessons For 2025

    Ten essential communication strategies designed to elevate your skills.

    2024 has been an incredible year for learning and growth, and as we head into 2025, there’s no better time to reflect on the skills and strategies that can shape our communication and careers. In this special episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams takes us through ten standout lessons from the past year. These aren’t just ideas to remember — they’re practices to evolve with. From Priya Parker’s insights on generous authority to Huggy Rao’s call to cut through jargon monoxide, each concept highlights how small shifts in mindset and behavior can lead to big transformations. With actionable advice and real-world examples, this episode is packed with inspiration to help you Think Fast, Talk Smart, and communicate better in the year ahead.

    Thank you to our Sponsor Superhuman for offering the TFTS community one month free.


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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:17) - Priya Parker: Gatherings And Generous Authority
    • (04:23) - Robert Cialdini: Pre-Suasion
    • (06:09) - Jamil Zaki: Trust Loudly
    • (07:22) - Scott Dorley: Design Your Environment
    • (09:48) - Irv Grousbeck: Brevity Conveys Conviction
    • (11:17) - Michele Gelfand: Mind Your Metaphors
    • (12:47) - Dana Carney: Take Space With Words
    • (14:17) - Julia Minson: Use Hear When In Conflict
    • (16:53) - Jeremy Utley And Kian Gohar: How To Chat With Bots
    • (18:32) - Huggy Rao: Avoid Jargon Monoxide
    • (20:38) - Conclusion


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    7 January 2025, 2:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 7 seconds
    176. From Stereotypes to Synergy: Communicating Across Generations

    Age diversity and cross-generational synergy can transform an organization.


    Most of us know age diversity matters in the workplace. But according to UCLA’s Bob McCann, we're thinking about it all wrong: it's not just about having different generations present — it's about creating meaningful connections between them.

    As director of UCLA's Leadership Communication Program and founder of the McCann Group, McCann has spent years researching intergenerational workplace dynamics. With four to six generations now working side by side, he says there’s never been a better time to create synergies between the old and the young.

    "There's a tremendous opportunity for meeting and interacting with people who are different than you, for increasing a variety of potential outcomes in business in a positive way, if we can maximize our intergenerational engagement," he says. His research reveals that while many organizations focus on gender and ethnic diversity, age diversity often gets overlooked in DEI initiatives — despite its crucial role in workplace success.

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McCann joins Matt Abrahams to discuss how organizations can move beyond superficial age diversity to create meaningful cross-generational connections. From reverse mentoring programs to shadow boards, they explore practical ways leaders can harness the power of generational difference to drive innovation and collaboration.


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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:21) - Why Generational Interactions Matter
    • (03:14) - What is a Generation?
    • (04:23) - Combating Workplace Ageism
    • (05:41) - Breaking Stereotypes
    • (08:16) - Better Intergenerational Interactions
    • (11:01) - Technology and Training Across Generations
    • (12:46) - The Three Final Questions
    • (18:34) - Conclusion

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    31 December 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 16 minutes 22 seconds
    Ask Matt Anything (AMA) 1: Trust, Paraphrasing, and Nonverbal Cues

    Enjoy this preview of our first Ask Matt Anything (AMA).

    We are excited to introduce this special edition of Think Fast, Talk Smart, featuring a preview of our first-ever Ask Matt Anything (AMA) episode. Typically, these sessions are exclusive to our Think Fast, Talk Smart Premium members, where Matt Abrahams answers the most pressing communication questions submitted by our premium community.
    Think Fast, Talk Smart Premium was created to deepen our connection with you and support your growth as effective communicators. Premium members enjoy exclusive benefits like regular full-length AMA episodes, eQuips, or Essential Quick Insight Playlist, early access to events, and more. Beyond this, your membership helps us continue to build a global community dedicated to improving communication skills and advancing careers.
    If you find this episode helpful, we invite you to join our Think Fast, Talk Smart Premium community to unlock the full library of AMAs, submit your own questions, and gain access to even more tools and resources. Thank you for being part of our journey! You can learn more at fastersmarter.io/premium.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (01:55) - Building Trust with Senior Leadership
    • (04:17) - Engaging Large Virtual Audiences
    • (08:05) - Managing Nonverbal Communication
    • (10:15) - Balancing Emotions in Conversations
    • (12:05) - Navigating Status Differences in Meetings
    • (15:10) - Conclusion

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    26 December 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 16 minutes 57 seconds
    175. Mastering Toasts and Tributes: Making Your Words Count

    Crafting impactful toasts for every occasion.

    "Almost reflexively, most of us focus in the moment on how others are perceiving us, yet these situations aren't about us at all." Matt Abrahams, host of Think Fast, Talk Smart, shares an excerpt from his book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot, on the art of delivering effective toasts and tributes. With a focus on public speaking in celebratory contexts, he offers a structured approach to crafting meaningful remarks.
    Matt introduces the WHAT structure—a four-part formula designed to guide speakers through the process. This method helps ensure that the focus remains on the honorees, transforming speeches into gifts for the audience. He further shares tips for refining remarks, including the importance of brevity and the need to prepare for emotional moments. Matt advises, "Be brief and to the point. Long toasts, tributes, or introductions are usually bad ones." He also highlights the significance of setting others up for success, ensuring a smooth flow for subsequent speakers.
    With insights from his book and practical examples, Matt equips listeners with the tools to deliver impactful toasts and tributes, making these moments memorable for all involved.

    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.


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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:05) - Key Insight: Toasts, Tributes, and Introductions
    • (03:36) - Why it Matters
    • (04:26) - Craft Your Content
    • (05:37) - Step One: Why Are We Here?
    • (06:21) - Step Two: How Are You Connected?
    • (07:12) - Step Three: Anecdotes or Learnings
    • (08:20) - Step Four: Thank
    • (09:02) - Refine Your Remarks
    • (09:29) - Tip One: Be Brief and to the Point
    • (10:19) - Tip Two: Prepare to be Emotional
    • (12:11) - Tip Three: Shine the Spotlight Away From You
    • (12:41) - Tip Four: Make Your Anecdotes Accessible and Appropriate
    • (13:11) - Tip Five: Strive for Unity
    • (14:34) - Tip Six: Set Others Up for Success
    • (15:27) - Conclusion

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    24 December 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 39 seconds
    174. Fix Meetings: Transform Gatherings Into Meaningful Moments

    Turn any meeting or get-together into a chance for deep connection and collaboration.

    Whether you’re holding a team meeting or hosting a family get-together, the success of any gathering, says Priya Parker, isn’t about the perfect agenda or venue, but about the intentionality behind how you bring people together.

    “90% of the success of any gathering happens before anyone enters the room,” says Parker. As the author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, and a strategic advisor who has helped organizations worldwide reimagine their gatherings, Parker believes that thoughtful preparation can turn any meeting, whether professional or personal, into a meaningful and memorable experience for all involved. “Intentionality is the first step,” she says, “to pause and ask: why are we doing this? What is the purpose? What is the need in this community or in this classroom or in this team?”

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Parker joins Matt Abrahams to explore the art of meaningful gatherings, sharing practical strategies for everything from crafting invitations that prime engagement to designing powerful closings that leave a lasting impact. By being more thoughtful in bringing people together, we can transform ordinary meetings into extraordinary opportunities for connection and collaboration.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (01:49) - Intentionality in Everyday Conversations
    • (03:35) - Questioning the Purpose of Gatherings
    • (05:43) - The Power of Great Questions
    • (08:46) - Managing Heat in Conversations
    • (10:55) - Encouraging Participation Beforehand
    • (13:35) - Creating Impactful Endings
    • (16:01) - The Final Three Questions
    • (18:55) - Conclusion

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    17 December 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 14 minutes 54 seconds
    173. Rethinks: Surviving the Holidays

    Master holiday conversations.

    The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and, occasionally, communication challenges and as we gather with family, friends, and colleagues, effective communication becomes crucial. To help make this time more enjoyable, this special Think Fast Talk Smart “Rethinks” episode revisits favorite “recipes” from past Stanford guests along with Matt’s advice for tackling three common holiday scenarios: contributing effectively to ongoing conversations, engaging in meaningful small talk, and managing conflict with clarity and empathy. Whether it's making small talk or resolving conflicts, these strategies aim to turn holiday communication hurdles into opportunities for connection and collaboration.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:59) - Challenge 1: Inserting Your Voice into Conversations
    • (04:14) - Expert Insights on Inserting Ideas
    • (06:00) - Challenge 2: Mastering Small Talk
    • (07:36) - Expert Strategies for Small Talk
    • (09:38) - Challenge 3: Managing Holiday Conflicts
    • (11:25) - Expert Tips for Conflict Resolution
    • (13:02) - Conclusion

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    10 December 2024, 2:00 pm
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