Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques By cover art

Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

By: Stanford GSB
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  • Summary

  • 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 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.
    © Stanford GSB
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Episodes
  • 140. Best of: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience

    140. Best of: How to Handle a Skeptical Audience
    Apr 30 2024
    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 >>> 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 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) ConclusionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    16 mins
  • 139. Lose Yourself: The Secret to Finding Flow and Being Fully Present

    139. Lose Yourself: The Secret to Finding Flow and Being Fully Present
    Apr 23 2024
    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 >>> 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 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) ConclusionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    17 mins
  • 138. Speak Your Truth: Why Authenticity Leads to Better Communication

    138. Speak Your Truth: Why Authenticity Leads to Better Communication
    Apr 16 2024
    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 >>> 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) 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) ConclusionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    23 mins
Career Success Language Learning Economics Personal Success
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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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