Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Weigh alternatives, make decisions, and move forward without looking back.

Matt interviews four distinguished faculty members live from Stanford GSB.

How leaders can foster cultures and environments where innovation thrives.

Use these techniques when handling challenges and objections from your audience.

Boost your productivity, find more joy in your work, and be more present in the moment.

"You can never go wrong when you’re saying your truth."

Why good communication isn’t just about the words we say.

Decision-making, conflict negotiation, and the psychology of disagreement.

Why deep connection with others starts by connecting more deeply with ourselves.

Jeremy Utley and Kian Gohar explain how LLMs can help teams supercharge their problem-solving.

Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and author Charles Duhigg on what makes a "supercommunicator."

A guide to fostering an environment where failure is not feared but embraced as a crucial step toward growth and success.

Why resistance isn’t always a bad thing.

Body language and word choices that can help you “power up” or “power down” your communication.

NYT Opinion columnist David Brooks shares how to communicate so that others feel seen, heard, and understood.

Matt takes live questions from his worldwide audience.

Matt takes live questions from his worldwide audience.

Introducing the If/Then Podcast: Zoom In…or Out? When Face-to-Face Meetings Matter

Think Fast, Talk Smart provides the tools, techniques, and best practices to help you communicate more effectively.

How to run meetings that don’t suck: part two of our mini-series for running successful meetings.

Meetings that don't suck: the secrets to running a successful meeting.

How to craft questions that can lead to better communication outcomes.

Research-backed techniques on how to beat nervousness in the moment.

We have to be vulnerable in order to build trust in our relationships. But as Jacob Morgan says, “Vulnerability for leaders is not the same as it is for everybody else.”

Matt revisits insights gathered from this season, and compiles his top 10 personal takeaways to enhance his communication skills.

Channel stress to help your performance and relationships. "Learning how to embrace it, learning how to work with it is really what helps us thrive and grow and perform at our highest level," shares Alia Crum.

What comes to people’s minds when they think about you, and can you control it? Dorie Clark says you can — with the power of your personal brand.

Research from neuroscience shows that communication builds a shared reality.

Tips and techniques on mastering the art of chit chat.

We explore an essential ingredient of human behavior: motivation.

In this podcast episode, Julian Treasure shares that listening is where human understanding begins.

In this episode, Patrick McGinnis explains how to conquer one of our greatest fears: the fear of missing out.

A special episode from Matt Abrahams's Think Faster, Talk Smarter audiobook.

“The more questions you ask, the more you learn, the more engaged you will be with others.”

Whatever you’re writing, most people are too busy to read it. That’s why, Harvard Prof Todd Rogers says, “you want to make it as easy as possible for them."

You said it. But did they hear it? Frances Frei shares why simple communication is the key to moving others to action.

If you’re reading from your notes, you’re going to miss the magic of the moment.

Tips and tools from Matt's new book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

In this Best Of episode, Dan Klein, Adam Tobin and Matt Abrahams discuss how to speak "without a net."

Kim Scott shares the power of being both caring and challenging when giving feedback.

In this podcast episode, Katy Milkman shares how we can make our goals more achievable by making reaching them more enjoyable.

In this episode, Carmine Gallo shares how intentional, straightforward messaging helps you connect with others and get things done.

In this episode, executive coach Muriel Wilkins shares how the best communicators create a strong presence.

In this episode, Geoffrey Cohen shares how communication can help us find the connection we crave and need.

In this episode, Dan Lyons says it’s time we all zipped it.

Being a better listener has a lot to do with silence, says Collins Dobbs, a lecturer in management at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “A lot of people are uncomfortable with the smallest modicum of silence, but learning often happens when we create distance for useful reflection.” In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Dobbs talks with host Matt Abrahams about the importance of “space, pace, and grace” when you’re receiving others’ feedback and handling the emotions that come out during tough discussions. “There’s often a lot more focus on the skill set on delivering emotion than receiving emotion, but if the receiver of emotion can put themselves in a place of curiosity, agency, and openness … it opens up a whole new world of possibilities.” Dobbs is an executive coach and teaches several courses, including Interpersonal Dynamics and Leadership Labs. For a full transcript of the interview, visit this episode's web page. Think Fast, Talk Smart is a podcast produced by Stanford Graduate School of Business. Each episode provides concrete, easy-to-implement tools and techniques to help you hone and enhance your communication skills. More Resources Building Successful Relationships: How to Effectively Communicate in Your Professional and Personal Life How to Build Better Relationships See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, David Dodson shares how workplace feedback can be your company’s secret weapon.

In this episode, Professor Anat Admati explains why you can’t have trust and accountability without rules.

In this episode, Ashley Martin explains how ideas about gender affect our interactions.

In this episode, Vanessa Patrick shares how saying no empowers us to live the lives we want.

Breaking new ground, Think Fast, Talk Smart steps into the world of live events, bringing together an eager audience of LEAD students from Stanford University and a top-notch panel of former podcast guests: Jesper B. Sørensen, Sarah Soule, Jonathan Levav,and Szu-chi Huang. Topics include crafting strategy for successful leadership and tips on how to effectively lead a hybrid team. This episode also features an interactive audience segment, where various participants of the Stanford LEAD program answer the three questions traditionally posed to guests. To learn more about Stanford LEAD, the Graduate School of Business's online program for executive education, visit their grow.stanford.edu or take the self assessment. To hear more from each of these Stanford GSB professors, find their episodes on the podcast.Strategic Success: How to Communicate Your GameplanIn this episode, Jesper Sørensen explores why organizational strategy can be both top-down and bottom-up.From Dreaming to Doing: How We Set and Achieve GoalsIn this episode, we speak with Szu-chi Huang about an essential ingredient of human behavior: motivation. Leading From Home: How to Create the Right Environment for CommunicationIn this podcast episode, Jonathan Levav discusses the importance of not just knowing what your audience needs to hear, but how they need to hear it.Words Matter: How to Make Your Communication InclusiveIn this episode, Sarah Soule shares research that shows how subtle word choice can invite inclusion, or can reinforce harmful stereotypes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Celine Teoh shares why deep connection with others starts by connecting more deeply with ourselves.

In this podcast episode, Dan Pink shares why we often over-index on risk.

In this podcast episode, Valerie Fridland explains the meaning we all ascribe to these words and how to use them in your communication.

In this podcast episode, we learn about ways to tap into our hardwired response to communication.

In this episode, Rachel Greenwald shares how to be a skilled conversationalist in work, love, and life.

In this award-winning podcast episode, we discuss the importance of not just knowing what your audience needs to hear, but how they need to hear it.

In this episode, Gregory LaBlanc says it’s not about what you know — it’s about how well you can communicate it.

In this episode, BJ Fogg reveals the secret to building habits that stick.

On this podcast episode, Kenneth Romeo shares specific tactics that non-native English speakers can use to handle in-the-moment communication challenges.

In this podcast episode, Brian Lowery shares why it's those around you who truly define who you are.

In this episode, the d.school’s Charlotte Burgess-Auburn explains the power of crafting your own personal manifesto.

In this episode, Nancy Duarte explains why the audience is the real hero of your presentation.

In this episode, physician and journalist Seema Yasmin explains what to do when we disagree about our deepest-held beliefs.

In this episode, Jonah Berger shares the secret to persuading others and getting your ideas to catch on.

In this episode, Professor Adina Sterling discusses how we can foster more diversity for healthier social networks and stronger, high performing teams.

Matt takes live questions from his world-wide audience.

Matt Abrahams interviews ChatGPT, an AI natural language processing chatbot, about its purpose, sources of information, ethical considerations, and the importance of human communication skills.

Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of strategic communication at Stanford GSB, as he sits down with experts from across campus to discuss public speaking anxiety, speaking off the cuff, nailing a Q&A, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, psychology expert Bob Cialdini reveals the inner workings of social influence and persuasion.

In this podcast episode, Myra Strober and Abby Davisson share a framework to help us communicate professional goals with those who we care about most.

In this Best Of episode we discuss how recognizing your audience’s emotional needs can help you achieve your communication goals.

In this episode, Alison Wood Brooks reveals the secret to having better conversations.

In this episode, Michele Gelfand shares communication strategies for getting more of what you want.

In this episode, Jesper Sørensen explores why organizational strategy can be both top-down and bottom-up.

In this episode, Jeremy Utley explains why good ideas are often preceded by not-so-good ideas.

In this episode, health psychologist Kelly McGonigal shares how stress and anxiety can enhance our communication.

In this episode, Dean Jon Levin shares his thoughts on the changing role of communication in business leadership.

In this episode, Michele Gelfand explains why social norms are the glue that keeps cultures together.

In this "best of" episode with Andrew Huberman, we discuss actions you can take to reduce speaking anxiety and achieve your communication goals.

In this episode, faculty member Glenn Carroll and Michael Arena discuss how teams can stay innovative within a hybrid work environment.

In this podcast episode, we revisit one of the most popular interviews from season one about how to effectively manage your reputation at work.

In this episode, we explore how economic concepts show up in everyday communication.

In this "best of" episode, we revisit our conversation about how humor can make us more confident, trustworthy communicators.

In this episode, we dive into four elements that will help your message stand out.

In this podcast episode, we discuss how being transparent is crucial to earning trust.

In this episode, we look at an essential ingredient of human behavior: motivation.

In this podcast episode, we look at the role of forgiveness in relationships and healthy communication.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of really hearing where others are coming from.

In this podcast episode, a veteran marketer and entrepreneur shares his approach to communicating for startup success.

In this podcast episode, we explore how design and communication both start with the same ingredient: empathy.

On this podcast episode, we discuss how to make ethical decisions in your personal and professional life.

In this podcast episode, we discuss the importance of not just knowing what your audience needs to hear, but how they need to hear it.

In this podcast episode, we discuss common flaws in the decision-making process — and what to do about them.

In this 50th episode, host Matt Abrahams and executive producer Jenny Luna offer new techniques for managing nervousness before and during your communication.

In this podcast episode, we discuss how to foster a sense of empathy and connection through storytelling.

In this podcast episode, we discuss the importance of “translating” numbers when sharing information.

In this podcast episode, we share the science behind nervousness and offer tips for keeping your cool during various speaking situations.

In this bonus episode, we share lessons from the Stanford GSB class “Startup Garage” on hypotheses, narrative, and design thinking.