Think Faster, Talk Smarter

How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

By: Matt Abrahams

Narrated by: Matt Abrahams

Develop the life-changing ability to excel in spontaneous communication situations—from public speaking to interviewing to networking—with these essential strategies from a Stanford lecturer, coach, and host of the popular Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast.

“A road map to mastering the art of thinking quickly and speaking confidently, this is the perfect book for…anyone else who talks.” —Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of The Power of Habit, Smarter Faster Better and Supercommunicators

Many of us dread having to convey our ideas to others, often feeling ill-equipped, anxious, and awkward. Public speaking experts help by focusing on planned communication experiences such as slide presentations, pitches, or formal talks. Yet, most of our professional and personal communication occurs in spontaneous situations that creep up on us and all too often leave us flustered and stumbling for words. How can we rise to the occasion and shine when we’re put on the spot?

In Think Faster, Talk Smarter, Stanford lecturer, podcast host, and communication expert Matt Abrahams provides tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers succeed when speaking spontaneously. Abrahams provides science-based strategies for managing anxiety, responding to the mood of the room, and making content concise, relevant, compelling, and memorable. Drawing on stories from his clients and students, he offers best practices for navigating Q&A sessions, shining in job interviews, providing effective feedback, making small talk, fixing faux pas, persuading others, and handling other impromptu speaking tasks.

Whether it’s a prospective client asking you an unexpected question during a meeting or all eyes turning to you at a dinner party, you’ll know how to navigate the situation like a pro and bring out your very best. Think Faster, Talk Smarter is an accessible guide to communication that will help you master new techniques in no time.

Critic reviews

"Communication expert and podcast host Matt Abrahams delivers useful advice on how to think on one’s feet with the relaxed polish of a seasoned voice professional. With his pitch range and natural pacing, he draws listeners in with his enthusiasm. His voice and ideas sparkle with energy. The guide is intuitively organized and covers a wide range of speaking situations, such as interviews, Q&A sessions, unscripted remarks to an audience, and conversations between employees and bosses. His focus on the emotional dynamics of any speaking situation will help listeners feel more confident when faced with a speaking challenge. While his insights are sophisticated, his uncomplicated writing and smooth delivery make them sound reasonably easy to implement."

For beginners

This book is for beginners or for people who are bad and anxious talkers. This book isn't for someone who is a good talker looking to improve their skills and most likely will be a waste of time.

Very well rounded

The acronyms were timely and unforgettable. I’ll keep adding these tricks to my tool belt. Spontaneous speaking comes from years of preparedness.

This book was fabulous!

I have downloaded your podcast, and it is extremely helpful. I am currently enjoying the tips. I think they will make me a much better speaker! I loved this book; I actually came to this book from the podcast!

Boring

I find this book very boring! But i've taken a very useful advice/tecnique. That advice paid the book but is generaly very boring.

Easily notable and actionable

I'm a big fan of all the acronyms and mnemonic devices used to structure responses and answer on your toes. I made a lot of notes and will probably listen a few times.