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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.

  • 20 minutes 30 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
    • (01:24) - Intentionality in Everyday Conversations
    • (03:10) - Questioning the Purpose of Gatherings
    • (05:18) - The Power of Great Questions
    • (08:21) - Managing Heat in Conversations
    • (10:30) - Encouraging Participation Beforehand
    • (13:10) - Creating Impactful Endings
    • (15:36) - The Final Three Questions
    • (18:30) - Conclusion

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    17 December 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 14 minutes 45 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
    • (02:34) - Challenge 1: Inserting Your Voice into Conversations
    • (03:49) - Expert Insights on Inserting Ideas
    • (05:35) - Challenge 2: Mastering Small Talk
    • (07:11) - Expert Strategies for Small Talk
    • (09:13) - Challenge 3: Managing Holiday Conflicts
    • (11:00) - Expert Tips for Conflict Resolution
    • (12:37) - Conclusion

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    10 December 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 18 minutes 58 seconds
    Between the Lines: In Storytelling, Simplify to Amplify - Premium Sampler

    Visit fastersmarter.io/premium to become a Premium subscriber.


    "Start with the action moment or right before it," advises Hilary Price whose one-panel comic strips offer insights far beyond humor—they’re lessons in concise storytelling that resonate with anyone seeking to communicate effectively. “Simplify and amplify,” Price advises, emphasizing the art of clarity and impact. Every stroke of her pen strips away the unnecessary, letting the essentials shine through.
    Creating her daily comic strip, Rhymes with Orange, Price starts with the game of “what if,” merging unexpected ideas to surprise and engage her readers. “You want to start at the action moment—or just before,” she notes, pointing out how the unsaid often speaks louder. Price extends this philosophy beyond cartoons: whether crafting a presentation, a joke, or a story, it’s essential to leave room for the audience to co-create meaning. “Don’t spoon-feed your readers,” she says. “The joy comes from not getting it, then getting it.”
    In this bonus episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Price joins host Matt Abrahams to explore the power of surprise, stakes, and shared experience in storytelling—reminding us that the punchline, whether in humor or communication, is where the magic happens.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:45) - What Makes a Good Story?
    • (03:38) - Crafting a Story
    • (04:58) - Auditioning the Characters
    • (08:02) - Stories in Daily Life
    • (09:50) - Visuals in Storytelling
    • (11:37) - The Power of a Punchline
    • (13:44) - Admired Storytellers
    • (15:41) - Communicating with Titles
    • (17:13) - Conclusion

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    5 December 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 45 seconds
    172. Bring Mindfulness to Your Communication

    Mindfulness can transform your communication and your career.


    When we react, our instincts and impulses are in the driver’s seat. But when we take the time to reflect, that’s when Marshall Goldsmith says we take back control of how we respond.

    “​​​​Before speaking at work, breathe,” Goldsmith says. “Is my comment going to improve this other human being's commitment? At home, breathe. Is my comment going to improve this relationship with someone I love? If the answer is no, why am I saying it?”

    As a world-renowned executive coach, speaker, and best-selling author, Goldsmith teaches how a mindful approach can change how we relate to others, to ourselves, and even to our career goals and ambitions. Through reflection, we identify our values, which we can use to live what Goldsmith calls an “earned life — when the choices, risks, and effort we make in each moment align with an overarching purpose in our lives.”

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Goldsmith joins host Matt Abrahams to explore practical strategies for bettering our interactions with others and ourselves, from his “feed forward” method for giving and receiving constructive critique to his "daily questions" practice, which prompts reflective self-inquiry to keep us focused on what truly matters.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (01:45) - Key Communication Advice
    • (02:27) - An Earned Life
    • (04:24) - Transition to Leadership
    • (05:55) - Breathe Before Speaking
    • (07:10) - Feedforward vs. Feedback
    • (08:10) - Managing Triggers
    • (10:01) - Daily Success Checklist
    • (12:39) - Using AI for Coaching
    • (14:08) - Influencing Up Leadership
    • (15:43) - The Final Three Questions
    • (18:38) - Conclusion

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    3 December 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 50 seconds
    171. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2

    Make your audience a part of the story.

    Great storytellers don't just relay information — they create experiences. As magicians, TikTok influencers, and stand-up comedians, these masters of engagement know that true connection happens when you make your audience a part of the story.

    In part two of this special series on storytelling, host Matt Abrahams explores the art of audience connection with an extraordinary lineup. For magician Alex Moffat, it’s about immersive performance. “How can I get the audience to not [just] sit there watching? They've got to be able to feel it too,” he says. As TikTok's head of creator marketing, Kudzi Chikumbu says authenticity is everything. "Be your authentic self. Show yourself in a way that other people don't." And for standup comedian Orlando Leyba, it’s about leveraging presence and responsiveness to transform a performance into a genuine conversation.

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, discover how these engagement experts create stories that don't just inform or entertain — they forge genuine connections with every audience member.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (01:31) - Linear vs. Nonlinear Storytelling
    • (05:22) - Tools for Engaging an Audience
    • (08:47) - Key Ingredients of a Good Story
    • (10:36) - Authenticity in Storytelling
    • (11:45) - Description in Storytelling
    • (12:12) - Positivity in Storytelling
    • (15:45) - Engaging Through Presence
    • (17:22) - Conclusion

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    28 November 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 16 minutes
    170. Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1

    Wisdom from the witness stand to the newsstand.

    The best storytellers might not call themselves storytellers at all. But from litigating in the courtroom to crafting newspaper cartoons, these experts know how to weave narratives that resonate.

    In part one of this special two-part series, host Matt Abrahams explores the foundations of effective storytelling with tech litigator Neel Chatterjee and syndicated cartoonist Hilary Price. Chatterjee, drawing parallels to stand-up comedy, emphasizes the critical importance of those first few lines: "We have to figure out the two to three-line statement on 'this is a case about'..." Meanwhile, Price reveals the power of restraint in storytelling. "You want to simplify and amplify," she says. "I only want to put the elements that are important. Never spoon-feed your reader."

    In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, nontraditional storytelling masters share their approach to structure, framing, and audience engagement, revealing insights that we can all use to transform our communication — whether in convincing a jury, crafting the perfect punchline, or sharing stories in everyday life.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (02:53) - Structure in Storytelling
    • (05:33) - The Premise and Promise
    • (06:32) - Being Concise in Storytelling
    • (10:28) - Visuals in Storytelling
    • (13:31) - Conclusion

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    26 November 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 25 minutes 23 seconds
    169. Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count

    ​​ 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.”

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (01:52) - What Makes a Good Conversation?
    • (04:11) - The Topic Pyramid
    • (06:52) - Preparation for Small Talk
    • (09:08) - Remembering Conversation Details
    • (10:46) - Asking Too Many Questions
    • (12:39) - Conversation Goals and Contexts
    • (16:33) - Virtual vs In-Person Conversations
    • (18:22) - The Importance of Listening
    • (22:16) - Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
    • (23:34) - Conclusion

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    19 November 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 2 minutes 33 seconds
    Launching: Think Fast Talk Smart Premium

    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.


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    14 November 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 57 seconds
    168. How Story Can Change Everything in Your Career

    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.

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    Chapters:

    • (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

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    12 November 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 8 seconds
    167. Hollywood Lessons For Successful Communication

    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.


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    Chapters:

    • (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

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    5 November 2024, 2:00 pm
  • 20 minutes 4 seconds
    166. Why Relying on Talent Alone Will Fail You

    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.

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    Chapters:

    • (00:00) - Introduction
    • (01:44) - Communication in High-Stress Situations
    • (03:54) - Staying Calm Under Pressure
    • (06:24) - Earning Leadership Through Respect
    • (07:47) - Overcoming Conflict Aversion
    • (08:54) - Decision to Retire from the NFL
    • (11:01) - Returning to Education
    • (12:39) - Life Lessons Through Coaching
    • (15:00) - The Final Three Questions
    • (18:08) - Conclusion

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    29 October 2024, 1:00 pm
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