Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

By: Matt Abrahams Think Fast Talk Smart
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  • Summary

  • 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. How do I send my message clearly when put on the spot? How do I write emails to get my point across? How can I easily convey complex information? How do I manage my reputation? Whether you’re giving a toast or presenting in a meeting, communication is critical to success in business and in life. Think Fast, Talk Smart provides the tools, techniques, and best practices to help you communicate more effectively. Learn more & sign up for our eNewsletter: https://fastersmarter.io
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Episodes
  • 159. Earn Your Audience: You Can’t Lead If No One’s Listening

    159. Earn Your Audience: You Can’t Lead If No One’s Listening
    Sep 10 2024
    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:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guests John Hennessy and Tina Seelig, directors of Stanford’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars. (00:01:07) The Core of Knight-Hennessy ScholarsThe inception and mission of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program.(00:01:55) Knight-Hennessy Scholars Leadership ModelThe three components of their leadership model and how it's applied to train scholars.(00:03:34) Empathy and Humility in LeadershipHow empathy and humility enhance leadership effectiveness.(00:06:00) Storytelling in LeadershipThe role of storytelling within the leadership framework at Knight-Hennessy Scholars.(00:07:22) Challenges in StorytellingCommon storytelling pitfalls and how to overcome them.(00:08:56) Diversity in LeadershipThe importance of diversity in leadership teams and how it enhances problem-solving.(00:11:20) Feedback in Leadership DevelopmentThe significance of feedback and how it is cultivated within the program.(00:12:30) Aspiring to Big Ideas in LeadershipThe value of focusing on impactful, big-picture goals.(00:13:16) The Leading Matters Podcast John and Tina outline their vision for inspiring leadership through their new podcast.(00:15:10) The Final Three QuestionsTina shares a leadership skill she learned, and John shares a communicator he admires and ingredients for successful communication.(00:18:31) Conclusion (00:00) - Introduction (01:07) - The Core of Knight-Hennessy Scholars (01:55) - Knight-Hennessy Scholars Leadership Model (03:34) - Empathy and Humility in Leadership (06:00) - Storytelling in Leadership (07:22) - Challenges in Storytelling (08:56) - Diversity in Leadership (11:20) - Feedback in Leadership Development (12:30) - Aspiring to Big Ideas in Leadership (13:16) - The Leading Matters Podcast (15:10) - The Final Three Questions (18:31) - Conclusion
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    20 mins
  • 158. Hope for Cynics: Building Trusting Relationships through Communication

    158. Hope for Cynics: Building Trusting Relationships through Communication
    Sep 3 2024
    “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 Us Website / YouTube Ep. 129 Connect Deeply: How to Communicate So People Feel Seen and Heard 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 Jamil Zaki, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab.(00:01:03) Defining Trust and Its ImportanceA definition of trust and its impact on relationships with others.(00:01:54) Building Better TrustDeveloping trust, with a focus on communication and "trusting loudly."(00:03:24) Understanding Cynicism The concept of cynicism, its impact on social interactions, and the idea of the cynicism trap.(00:05:47) The Cynicism Spectrum Whether cynicism is binary or a spectrum, and what the opposite of cynicism looks like.(00:08:07) Fostering Hopeful SkepticismHow to cultivate hopeful skepticism instead of falling into cynicism.(00:10:20) Challenges of Overcoming CynicismAdvice on expanding worldviews and managing confirmatory experiences.(00:15:10) Self-Fulfilling Prophecies The power of self-fulfilling prophecies and how they shape social interactions.(00:17:31) The Final Three QuestionsJamil’s approach to communicating concepts eloquently, a communicator he admires and his ingredients for successful communication.(00:24:36) Conclusion (00:00) - Introduction (01:03) - Defining Trust and Its Importance (01:54) - Building Better Trust (03:24) - Understanding Cynicism (05:47) - The Cynicism Spectrum (08:07) - Fostering Hopeful Skepticism (10:20) - Challenges of Overcoming Cynicism (15:10) - Self-Fulfilling Prophecies (17:31) - The Final Three Questions (24:36) - Conclusion
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    26 mins
  • 157. Communicating the Future: Defining Where We Want AI to Take Us

    157. Communicating the Future: Defining Where We Want AI to Take Us
    Aug 27 2024
    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 >>> thinkfast@stanford.eduEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn Page, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInStanford GSB >>> LinkedIn & TwitterChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Matt Abrahams introduces guest Russ Altman, professor of bioengineering at Stanford University and host of The Future of Everything podcast.(00:01:00) The Future of Communication and AIHow AI can challenge and improve communication by bringing hidden biases to light.(00:03:06) Practical Uses of AI in CommunicationUsing AI to improve clarity and focus in professional communications.(00:04:08) Writing Effective Proposals and GrantsCrafting effective proposals by aligning with audience needs and clearly defining objectives.(00:06:07) Simplifying Complex InformationMaking complex information understandable without oversimplification.(00:08:31) Preparation in CommunicationHow preparing for tough questions can improve clarity and engagement in presentations.(00:10:13) The Art of Asking QuestionsCrafting and following up with thoughtful questions to foster deeper conversations.(00:13:13) Building Effective and Diverse TeamsBuilding effective teams through diversity, clear roles, and strong relationships.(00:15:12) Balancing Rigor and Support The balance between challenging team members and maintaining a supportive environment.(00:17:13) Lessons from ‘The Future of Everything’The importance of passion in pursuing meaningful work and communicating complex ideas.(00:18:09) The Final Three QuestionsRuss shares what he’s excited about for the future, a communicator he admires, and the first three ingredients for successful communication.(00:21:30) Conclusion
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    22 mins
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Communicastic! - ok fantastic then!

This was a fun and comprehensive podcast. The ideas presented are very well thought out; and the communication between the presenters are fun and easy to follow! I like the focus on each aspect of the conversation, such as being in the moment, in the hot seat. Yes, and! Improve was a chapter that helped me immensely! I will continue to listen; thank you, Matt Abrahams!

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Advice you can use

I just stumbled on this podcast today and I’m already 6 episodes down.

Take a listen and then apply what you learn

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Interesting

This podcast is very good, especially for people that want to gain more knowledge and change. I learned a lot listening to the Stanford graduates. I don’t have to go to college if I can listen to this, if I could ask questions then we would learn even more.

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Amazing

Just what i needed I love this as I aspire to be a speaker this is helping me so much!

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