Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

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"Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques" podcast presented by Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB).
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Member Since: June 13, 2023
Location: California United States

Latest Episodes

187. Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career

187. Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career

Rethink career success by testing, adapting, and staying open to unexpected opportunities.

Career planning isn’t as straightforward as we often assume—but according to Dorie Clark, that’s actually a good thing. Instead of following a rigid path, she believes we should be “treating our careers like a series of experiments”—testing, iterating, and staying open to unexpected opportunities."People assume they need to have everything mapped out for the next twenty years," Clark explains. "But in reality, careers are built through testing, learning, and adapting—just like a scientific hypothesis."
As a bestselling author and career strategist, Clark has spent years studying how professionals can future-proof their careers in an unpredictable world. She shares why informational interviews, LinkedIn strategy, and quarterly career check-ins are essential tools for anyone looking to make a career shift. “You don’t want to be so mired in your plan that you can’t take advantage of unexpected opportunities,” she says.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Clark joins host Matt Abrahams to challenge traditional career advice and explore strategic personal branding, the power of weak ties in networking, and why “reinvention isn’t a one-time event—it’s a habit.”

This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs. 

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (02:26) - The Importance of Long-Term Career Vision
  • (03:58) - Testing Your Career Hypothesis
  • (05:31) - Being Proactive in Your Career
  • (08:02) - Reinvention: Small vs. Big Career Changes
  • (10:35) - How to Explore a New Industry
  • (12:21) - Transferring Skills to New Careers
  • (14:20) - Optimizing Your Personal Brand
  • (17:43) - Best Career Advice Received
  • (19:34) - Career Regrets & Lessons
  • (21:17) - Conclusion

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This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs.

186. Own Your Impact: How to Communicate Your Personal Power

186. Own Your Impact: How to Communicate Your Personal Power

Why good communication starts with tapping into your power.

Impactful communication isn’t just about the words you use. According to Chris Lipp, it’s about the power you deliver them with.

“When we have a belief in ourselves, what we say changes,” says Lipp, a professor at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business and author of The Science of Personal Power. Throughout his career as an academic and communications coach for entrepreneurs, he’s explored how tapping into personal power can transform our messages and the impact they create. "Personal power is our belief in our own capability to create impact,” he says. “When things [take] shape on the inside, we think differently, we behave differently... and other people perceive that power."

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lipp and Matt Abrahams explore how our mindset shapes our message, sharing research-backed strategies for communicating with power. From embracing authenticity to staying grounded in our values, Lipp reveals how strong communication starts by building strength within.

This episode is brought to you by Loom. Try Loom for free today at loom.com/thinkfast.

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (01:39) - From Persuasion to Power
  • (02:35) - Defining Personal Power
  • (03:57) - Mindset and Action-Oriented Communication
  • (04:53) - The Power of Taking Responsibility
  • (06:34) - Language and Personal Power
  • (09:47) - The Four-Point Formula for Pitching
  • (12:01) - Focusing on Benefits Over Features
  • (12:56) - Personal Power in Pitching and Persuasion
  • (14:06) - Nonverbal Communication and Power
  • (16:36) - The Final Three Questions
  • (19:20) - Conclusion

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185. Say Less, Mean More: Craft Compelling Communication

185. Say Less, Mean More: Craft Compelling Communication

How to captivate an audience and make your message stick.


Pitches and presentations don’t fall flat because speakers aren’t prepared. For Guy Kawasaki, it’s because speakers miss the point. “If all you're trying to do is inform, you're not going to pull it off. You have to entertain your audience.”

A renowned author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Kawasaki knows that the point of great storytelling isn’t about information, it’s about emotion. “Too many speakers think, ‘I need to inform my audience. I need to get my story across,’” he says. But throughout his career, formerly as Chief Evangelist at Apple and now co-founder of Canva, he’s shown how successful communication is about captivating audiences, not conveying facts. “If you entertain people, you have a chance of informing them.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kawasaki joins Matt Abrahams to explore practical strategies for building decks, structuring presentations, and tips for keeping audiences engaged. From investor pitches to keynote presentations, these strategies help create effective storytelling — in business and beyond.


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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (01:59) - The Key to Great Storytelling
  • (03:47) - The Purpose of a Pitch
  • (07:32) - How to Structure a Pitch Effectively
  • (09:04) - The 10-20-30 Rule for Slide Presentations
  • (12:30) - Using Images vs. Text in Presentations
  • (13:11) - Lessons from Podcasting
  • (14:42) - The Final Three Questions
  • (18:52) - Conclusion

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184. Fit or Quit? Find the Job That is Right For You—Catalyze Your Career

184. Fit or Quit? Find the Job That is Right For You—Catalyze Your Career

Stay prepared, build your network, and take control of your career.

Most of us know that career growth is important—but according to Catherine Fisher, we're thinking about it all wrong. It’s not just about landing a job or climbing the ladder; it’s about staying adaptable, building strong connections, and being proactive about opportunities before you need them.
As LinkedIn’s Vice President of Global Consumer Communications, Fisher has spent years helping professionals navigate an evolving job market. She says the biggest mistake people make is waiting until they’re unhappy or unemployed to think about their next move. “Your network is like a garden,” she explains. “You have to tend to it constantly if you want it to thrive.”
In this episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Fisher joins Matt Abrahams to share practical, actionable strategies for staying ahead. From recognizing when it’s time for a change to job crafting and personal branding, they explore how small but intentional moves can shape a career that aligns with your strengths and ambitions. Whether you're feeling stuck or simply want to future-proof your career, this conversation will give you the tools to stay in control and ready for what’s next.

This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs.

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (01:10) - Signs for a Career Pivot
  • (02:22) - Staying Proactive in Your Career
  • (04:00) - Adopting a Growth Mindset
  • (05:26) - Maintaining Career Motivation
  • (08:07) - Using Job Descriptions for Growth
  • (10:36) - Choosing the Right Skills
  • (12:37) - Building a Strong Personal Brand
  • (14:31) - Crafting Your Ideal Job
  • (16:50) - Best Career Advice Received
  • (17:50) - Career Lessons & Regrets
  • (19:33) - Conclusion

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This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs.

183. Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication

183. Rethinks: How Anxiety Can Fuel Better Communication

Reframe anxiety as a strength and use stress to enhance your communication.

Stress, anxiety, nervousness — when these feelings inevitably arise, lecturer Kelly McGonigal says it’s not about making them go away, but using them to your advantage.
“What I have come to value about anxiety,” says McGonigal, “is it’s a sign that I care.” As she explains, feelings of stress alert us to things that matter to us and help us stay present in the moment — particularly useful, she says, when it comes to communication.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, McGonigal and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to channel stress toward more effective communication and to a deeper connection to our own purpose and meaning.

This episode is brought to you by Loom. Try Loom for free today at loom.com/thinkfast.

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (02:29) - The Benefits of Anxiety in Communication
  • (05:48) - Presence and Anxiety in Performance
  • (07:28) - Common Communication Mistakes
  • (11:27) - Encouraging Audience Engagement
  • (14:31) - Crafting Effective Communication
  • (16:28) - The Joy of Movement
  • (19:36) - The Final Three Questions
  • (25:43) - Conclusion

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182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

182. Stop Chasing Time and Start Owning It: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

Clarify your purpose — and stop wasting time.

The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices.

As Cassie Holmes knows, how we spend our time has a big impact on our happiness and well-being. For her, that means focusing on the things not just immediately in front of us, but those that most closely align with our purpose.

"When I say purpose, what I mean is what really drives you," explains Holmes, a professor at UCLA Anderson School of Management and author of Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most. Living a happier and more fulfilled life, she says, rests on using purpose to drive our decisions. “Once you clarify for yourself: what is your purpose? What is your why? Then you can use that as a filter [for] where you should be spending your time.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Holmes and host Matt Abrahams explore practical strategies for being more purposeful with our time. From email management to relationship building, Holmes shares research-backed approaches for achieving greater happiness through intentional choices.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month.

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (03:31) - Defining Purpose
  • (05:54) - Time Management Strategies
  • (08:26) - Time Tracking for Insight
  • (12:49) - Consolidating Tasks
  • (14:41) - Presence and Happiness
  • (16:44) - The Final Three Questions
  • (21:17) - Conclusion

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181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

181. Why Happiness is a Direction, Not a Destination: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

Why connection is the key to a life well lived.

The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices.

When it comes to happiness, Arthur Brooks says it’s not about reaching a destination — it's about heading in the right direction. And according to him, that direction is fundamentally about relationships.

"Loving more people... more and more love... if you pursue that, you will defy the trends and get happier,” says Brooks, a social scientist, Harvard Business School professor, and author of several books including Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier, cowritten with Oprah Winfrey. According to him, a happy life is made of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning, which we cultivate through connection with others. "Faith, family, friends, and work, that's your basic happiness 401k plan,” he says.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Brooks and host Matt Abrahams explore the fundamental role of relationships in creating a happy life, and how effective communication helps us build and maintain these essential connections.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month.

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (02:27) - Defining Happiness
  • (03:58) - The Macronutrients of Happiness
  • (05:00) - Challenges in Pursuing Happiness
  • (06:27) - Breaking Down Meaning in Life
  • (08:11) - Happiness Across Life Stages
  • (11:16) - Modern Happiness Challenges
  • (14:29) - Mindfulness and Being Present
  • (19:08) - The Final Three Questions
  • (22:54) - Conclusion

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180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

180. Unlocking Your Future Self: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

Why creating happiness in the future starts today.


The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices.

In pursuing happiness and well-being, we often focus on the present moment. But according to Hal Hershfield, one of the best ways to help ourselves today is to have a conversation with ourselves in the future.

"When I say future self, I really mean any version of us that exists at some later point in time," explains Hershfield, a UCLA professor and author of Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today. By thinking of our future selves as different people — ones we should care about — we can make better choices in the present. "If we can tap into the feelings of our future selves, then we can do more that benefits them, which may make our lives easier now and later."
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Hershfield and host Matt Abrahams explore how communication between our present and future selves can help us set goals, make decisions, and overcome pitfalls like procrastination, enabling us to take meaningful action now so we can thrive today and tomorrow.


This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month.

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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (02:12) - What Is a Future Self?
  • (03:37) - Mistakes in Time Travel Thinking
  • (04:45) - Overcoming Procrastination
  • (07:16) - Connecting to Our Future Selves
  • (10:35) - Disappointment and Adjusting Goals
  • (12:14) - Goal Setting and Motivation
  • (15:02) - Public Accountability for Motivation
  • (16:04) - The Final Three Questions
  • (20:35) - Conclusion

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179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

179. Finding Positive in Negative Emotions: Communication, Happiness & Wellbeing

A double definition of happiness — and how to cultivate both parts.


The new year gives us an opportunity to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. As we set resolutions and prepare for evolutions, this special four-part series on communication, happiness, and well-being explores practical ways to enhance our lives through better communication, deeper connections, and more meaningful choices.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to happiness, but according to Laurie Santos, everyone needs the two key components of contentment and fulfillment — or as she puts it, being happy in your life and happy with your life.

“Being happy in your life [means] your life is filled with joy,” explains Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast. This felt sense of happiness — enjoying where we are, what we do, and who we’re with — is essential, but it’s not the only piece of the puzzle. Being happy with your life, she says, is the belief that “your life is going well. Being happy with your life gets closer to things like fulfillment and purpose.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Santos joins Matt Abrahams to explore how to cultivate both sides of her happiness equation, from building deeper connections with others to transforming the ways we communicate with ourselves.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at BetterHelp.com/ThinkFast and get ten percent off your first month.

Episode Reference Links:


Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (02:08) - Defining Happiness
  • (03:21) - The Role of Negative Emotions
  • (04:54) - Balancing Negative and Positive Emotions
  • (05:45) - Positive Communication
  • (07:18) - Improving Self-Talk
  • (09:50) - Deepening Conversations
  • (11:04) - Navigating Difficult Conversations
  • (12:39) - The Power of Gratitude
  • (15:15) - Technology and Wellbeing
  • (18:33) - The Final Three Questions
  • (22:35) - Conclusion

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Bio of Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

"Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques" is a podcast presented by Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of Strategic Communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, sits down with experts in the field to discuss real-world challenges.

The podcast aims to equip listeners with the skills and knowledge needed to communicate effectively in various situations. Whether you find yourself put on the spot, struggling to convey complex information, writing emails, or managing your reputation, the podcast provides valuable insights and practical techniques to enhance your communication abilities.

With a focus on business and personal contexts, "Think Fast, Talk Smart" recognizes that effective communication is crucial for success in all aspects of life. The podcast offers tools, strategies, and best practices to improve your communication skills, from giving toasts at special events to presenting in high-stakes meetings.

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