Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Hosted by Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
About this Show
One of the most essential ingredients to success in business and life is effective communication.
Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges.
Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships.
Tune in every Monday and Thursday for new episodes. Subscribe now to unlock your potential as a thoughtful, impactful communicator. Learn more and sign up for our Newsletter at fastersmarter.io.
Latest Episodes
334. Quick Thinks: How to Make the Most Out of Meetings
“Meetings are often used as band-aids, as ways of covering up for other larger communication challenges.”Few things feel better than seeing a meeting canceled. But what if meetings were something we actually looked forward to? A productive meeting doesn't happen by accident. It starts wi...
333. Find the Vibe: Build Stronger Connections Through Communication Part 1
“Be as curious about the other person as you are excited to share about yourself.”What makes you click with someone? For organizational psychologist and bestselling author Adam Grant, meaningful connection isn't just about chemistry. It's about understanding how we relate to others, show...
332. Rethinks: Learn Faster and Fail Smarter
“You learn nothing when you’re right.” Effective communication isn’t about having all the answers. As Astro Teller knows, it’s about finding, and sometimes fumbling, your way through the questions. As Captain of Moonshots at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, Teller embraces what he calls “...
331. Matchmaker Mindset: How to Make Yourself Memorable in Any Conversation
“Boredom is just the enemy of conversation.” Small talk doesn’t have to be boring. For matchmaker and dating coach Rachel Greenwald, better conversations start with a little preparation and a willingness to move beyond predictable questions toward the stories that make people memorable. ...
330. Quick Thinks: A CLEAR Way Through Conflict
“Conflicts in relationships might be unpleasant, but they aren’t inherently bad. In fact, they’re essential.”Conflict rarely gives us time to prepare. A sharp comment, unexpected criticism, or sudden disagreement can trigger strong emotions precisely when we need to communicate most clea...
329. Your Brand is Your Promise: The 4 C’s for Better Communication
“A brand is a promise, and a great brand is a promise well kept.”What does it take to build something people believe in? For Daniel Lubetzky, social entrepreneur and KIND Snacks founder, it starts with curiosity, compassion, creativity, and courage, along with a willingness to listen, le...
328. Ask Matt Anything: Don’t Let Your Communication Fizzle at the Finish
“How you end something often can be as important, if not more important, than how you start.”What’s the best way to wrap up a presentation? How do you stop yourself from repeating the same point? And what can you do when strong emotions start taking over? Matt Abrahams tackles these ques...
327. The Human Reset: Reclaiming Authenticity in the Age of AI
“Our imperfections reveal that we’re human.”As AI makes it easier to polish our words, how do we prove that our communication is actually our own? For Matt Abrahams, the answer isn’t to avoid AI, but to protect the distinctly human thinking, experiences, and imperfections that build trus...
326. Rethinks: The Secrets to Getting the Information You Need from AI
“Most teams leave the vast majority of their innovation potential on the table.”If you treat artificial intelligence like an oracle, you’ll likely be disappointed. But treat it like a teammate, and Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar say you may be surprised by how useful a collaborator it can b...
325. Message Market Fit: Turning Great Ideas Into Communication That Lands
“No one cares about us, our company, our products. We have to make them care, and for that, we need the right words.”Great work doesn’t always speak for itself. For communication strategist and author of Message Machine: How Communications Will Make You An Unstoppable Founder, Oliver Aus...
324. Rethinks: Defining Where We Want AI To Take Us
“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? Am I being authentic?”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 ...
323. Turn Up the Heat: Make Conflict More Constructive
“I’m not saying necessarily fight more, I’m saying fight better.”Conflict doesn’t have to mean avoidance or escalation. Priya Parker, expert facilitator, strategic advisor and author of The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict, argues there’s a third option: “healthy hea...
322. Talk Back: Why Arguing With Yourself Can Help You Flourish
“What you think is not gospel.”Can arguing with yourself make you happier? Martin Seligman, positive psychology pioneer and author of Agency: The Psychological History of Human Progress, says our negative thoughts don’t have to dictate how we feel. By recognizing our internal narratives ...
321. The Respect Effect: What Stereotype Threat Teaches Us About Communication
“Everybody you interact with needs that signal of respect.”Feeling seen and respected can shape how we communicate and connect with others. For Stanford social psychologist and author of Churn: The Tension That Divides Us and How to Overcome, Claude Steele, understanding stereotype threa...
320. Quick Thinks: How to Prepare, Stand Out, and Ace Your Interview
“The ability to handle yourself in interviews and other high-pressure situations can make the difference in getting the job and achieving your goals.”A successful interview is more than answering questions well. It’s an opportunity to communicate what sets you apart and demonstrate the v...