Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Real connection means understanding your audience, staying true to yourself, and creating space for others.

How do you communicate who you are, what you stand for, and leave space for others to do the same? At the Stanford Seed Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, three GSB professors explored why real connection is built through authentic communication.

For Jesper Sørensen, authentic organizational communication means talking about a business in ways customers or investors can understand, like using analogies to relate a new business model to one that people already know. For incoming GSB Dean Sarah Soule, authentic communication is about truth, not trends. Her research on "corporate confession" shows that companies build trust when they admit their shortcomings — but only if those admissions connect authentically to their core business. And for Christian Wheeler, authentic communication means suspending judgment of ourselves and others. “We have a tendency to rush to categorization, to assume that we understand things before we really do,” he says. “Get used to postponing judgment.”

In this special live episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams and his panel of guests explore communication challenges for budding entrepreneurs. From the risks of comparing yourself to competitors to how your phone might undermine genuine connection, they reveal how authentic communication — whether organizational or personal — requires understanding your audience, staying true to your values, and creating space for others to be heard.

Episode Reference Links:

• Jesper Sørensen
• Christian Wheeler
• Sarah Soule
• Ep.194 Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1
   

Connect:

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• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:04) - Jesper Sørensen on Strategic Analogies
• (04:06) - Sarah Soule on Corporate Confessions
• (08:46) - Christian Wheeler on Spontaneity & Presence
• (12:06) - Panel Discussion: AI’s Role in Research, Teaching, & Life
• (17:52) - Professors Share Current Projects
• (22:55) - Live Audience Q&A
• (32:53) - Conclusion

*****
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How to be a skilled conversationalist in work, love, and life.

Whether you’re trying to build a romantic or professional connection, Rachel Greenwald’s advice is exactly the same. “Focus on how you make someone feel more than you focus on the words that you're saying,” she says. 

As a professional coach, Greenwald helps people develop better communication skills, from executives in the business world to singles in the dating world. Building deep connections may at times be challenging, but as Greenwald says, it’s ultimately not complicated. “You're demonstrating that you're interested in someone and that you like them,” she says.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Greenwald and host Matt Abrahams discuss relationship-building tactics like small talk, active listening, communication blindspots, and more.

Episode Reference Links:

• Rachel Greenwald
   

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:10) - Don’t Be a Data Collector
• (06:36) - How to Start and End Small Talk
• (11:23) - Romance vs. Work Communication
• (14:44) - The Role of Humor and Light Banter
• (17:30) - Conversation Pitfalls
• (21:49) - The Final Three Question
• (27:35) - Conclusion

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Understanding your audience's psychology is the key to crafting communication that resonates.

Persuading others isn't about magic spells or mind-reading tricks. According to Emily Falk, the real secret is simpler: know what your audience finds relevant, and you’ll be able to craft a message that resonates.

Falk is a professor of communication, psychology, and marketing at the University of Pennsylvania, Vice Dean of the Annenberg School of Communication, and director of the Communication Neuroscience Lab. In her book What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change, she reveals that our brains have what she calls a "social relevance system" — our ability to understand what other people are thinking and feeling. "I use social relevance as this kind of catchall for these thoughts about what other people are thinking and feeling, which also helps us predict what they're gonna do and how we might communicate successfully with them," she explains.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Falk and host Matt Abrahams explore how to put this insight into practice, from the power of storytelling to leveraging "neural synchrony" to create shared understanding. Whether you’re motivating a team or influencing a customer, Falk offers science-backed strategies for tapping into your audience’s psychology and communicating with relevance.

Episode Reference Links:

• Emily Falk
• Emily’s Book: What We Value
• Ep.39 Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions
• Ep.188 Mind Reading 101: To Know What Your Audience Thinks, Just Ask 
   

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:07) - Neuroscience & Behavior Prediction
• (03:25) - Brain Systems in Persuasion
• (04:48) - Tailoring Messages for Impact
• (07:26) - Psychological Closeness & Relevance
• (09:54) - Power of Storytelling
• (13:08) - Neural Synchrony & Shared Meaning
• (14:53) - Better Conversations Through Sync
• (18:57) - Rapid-Fire Q&A with Emily Falk
• (23:43) - Conclusion

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For your communication to be credible, you can’t just say it — you have to do it.

Want people to believe what you say? According to Richard Edelman, the words you choose only get you halfway there. To build real trust, he says, you have to practice what you preach.

“Action builds trust,” says Edelman. “If you don't do something, you can't talk about it.” As the president and CEO of Edelman, a leading global communications marketing firm, Edelman is widely recognized for his thought leadership in marketing and PR, especially on issues related to corporate trust, brand reputation, and social responsibility. His annual Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a sobering reality: "Two-thirds of people believe leaders lie to them now, business leaders, government leaders, even journalists." For people and organizations that want to rebuild trust, whether in a one-on-one relationship or with a customer base of millions, Edelman’s advice is simple: "Decide, do, communicate."

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Edelman and host Matt Abrahams explore strategies for winning trust when traditional authority no longer guarantees it. In an age of skepticism, Edelman's insights show that sustainable trust comes not from perfect messaging, but from consistently aligning your actions with your words.

Episode Reference Links:

• Richard Edelman
• 158. Hope for Cynics: Building Trusting Relationships through Communication
   

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:21) - The Evolution of Trust
• (03:32) - Rebuilding Trust After a Breach
• (04:25) - Leaders as Influencers
• (05:37) - New Media Ecosystems
• (07:21) - The Role of AI in Communication
• (08:41) - Key Qualities for Future Leaders
• (09:41) - The Final Three Questions
• (16:01) - Conclusion

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How to communicate clearly in any context, from newsrooms to the world stage.

All good communication, whether spoken or written, is built on the same foundation. In everything from police reporting for a newspaper to serving as spokesman for the Pope, Greg Burke has found the key: "Keep it as simple as possible."

Burke has worked as a journalist for Time Magazine and Fox News, as Director of Communications at IESE Business School in Barcelona and Madrid, and even as a communications advisor and spokesman for the Vatican. Across his varied experiences, he’s found that the biggest communication challenges often require the simplest solutions. From expressing “curiosity and real interest” in those we’re speaking with to ensuring our messages are “clear, consistent, and timely,” he advocates for core principles that apply in all types of communication.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Burke and host Matt Abrahams discuss communication strategies that work whether you’re presenting to a team of five or millions of parishioners worldwide. As Burke shares, it’s all very simple: “Know your audience, practice, and have fun.”

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium

Episode Reference Links:

• Greg Burke
• Ep.22 Under Pressure: How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During a Crisis 
   

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:18) - Asking Good Questions
• (03:10) - Writing Clearly and Concretely
• (04:49) - Editing and AI’s Role in Writing
• (06:05) - Three Keys to Great Communication
• (07:54) - The Importance of Feedback
• (09:34) - Communication at the Vatican
• (12:18) - Crisis Communication: Lessons from the Vatican
• (15:20) - The Final Three Questions
• (21:22) - Conclusion

    *****
This Episode is sponsored by Stanford. Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford Report
Support Think Fast Talk Smart by joining TFTS Premium.      

How to turn doubt and suspicion into hopefulness and trust.

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 Rethinks 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
• Jamil’s Lab: Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab 
• Jamil’s Book: Hope for Cynics
• Ep.158 Hope for Cynics: Building Trusting Relationships through Communication 
• Ep.84 Quick Thinks: How Others Define Us
• Ep.129 Connect Deeply: How to Communicate So People Feel Seen and Heard

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:48) - Defining Trust and Its Importance
• (03:39) - Building Better Trust
• (05:10) - Understanding Cynicism
• (07:32) - The Cynicism Spectrum
• (09:52) - Fostering Hopeful Skepticism
• (12:06) - Challenges of Overcoming Cynicism
• (13:58) - Positive Gossip and Positive Noticing
• (16:56) - Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
• (19:52) - The Final Three Questions
• (27:21) - Conclusion

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Career growth starts with stepping outside your comfort zone.

Building a successful career isn’t about following a set path—it’s about knowing when to evolve and embracing change. Whitney Johnson believes that success comes from disrupting yourself—challenging routines, stepping into discomfort, and continuously evolving. “People think staying in their comfort zone is the safe choice,” she explains, “but real growth happens when we take intentional risks.”
As a bestselling author and leadership expert, Johnson has spent years helping individuals and organizations navigate change. She breaks down the S-curve of learning, a framework that helps professionals recognize when it’s time to move on, pivot, or double down on their current path. From identifying signs of stagnation to developing strategies for career reinvention, she shares practical tools for making bold moves with confidence.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Johnson joins host Matt Abrahams to explore why mastery can be a sign that it’s time for a change, how to manage the discomfort that comes with growth, and why personal disruption isn’t just a challenge—it’s the key to long-term success.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium

Episode Reference Links:

• Whitney Johnson
• Whitney’s Books: Disrupt Yourself / Smart Growth
• Ep.147 Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can Be 
   

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:12) - What Is Personal Disruption?
• (04:39) - Signs It’s Time to Disrupt Yourself
• (07:01) - Getting Comfortable with Discomfort
• (11:58) - Finding Your Next Career Move
• (15:47) - Ensuring Fulfillment After Disruption
• (20:56) - Best Career Advice Received
• (22:29) - Career Regrets & Lessons
• (24:00) - Conclusion

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In the age of virtual communication, here’s how to ensure your messages convey what you mean.

Texts. Emails. Slacks. Zooms. We’re communicating in more ways than ever, but Andrew Brodsky has a word of warning: Your virtual communication might be sending messages you’re not aware of.

Brodsky is the author of PING: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication. And as a professor of management at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, he researches the impact of technology on workplace communication. “In virtual communication, there's often missing information,” he says. “As recipients of it, we're searching to fill in the gaps. The problem [is] that the recipient who's making these guesses is often guessing incorrectly.” As his research reveals, variables like typos, the time you schedule a meeting, and even your choice of email signature affect how your messages are received — and how you’re perceived.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams and Brodsky explore his PING framework (perspective-taking, initiative, nonverbal awareness, and goals) for mastering digital communication. From understanding when to choose email over a phone call to navigating cameras-on versus cameras-off meetings, he offers practical strategies for ensuring your virtual messages communicate exactly what you intend.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium

Episode Reference Links:

• Andrew Brodsky
• Andrew’s Book: Ping
• Ep.31 Quick Thinks: How to Shine Online and Excel at Virtual Communication 
• Ep.53 Step Up and Stand Out: How to Create the Right Environment for Communication
   

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:27) - What Is Virtual Communication?
• (03:13) - Choosing the Right Channel for Your Goal
• (05:58) - The Ping Framework: Secrets to Virtual Communication
• (09:54) - Understanding Communication Richness
• (12:56) - Nonverbals in Virtual Communication
• (16:40) - The Final Three Question
• (24:24) - Conclusion

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Career success takes a status boost, not a power grab.

How do you chart the career course you’ve always imagined? According to Alison Fragale, it’s about gaining influence through status, power, and ultimately, being “a likeable badass.”

As a research psychologist, professor, speaker, and author, Fragale is on a mission to help women take control of their careers. In her book Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, she argues that most people have it backwards when pursuing career advancement. "We have talked for a long time [about] getting more power," she explains. However, by focusing first on achieving status (how respected we are), power will often come as a natural byproduct. "If you pursue status before, or at least alongside power, everything is going to fall into place," she says. “Status makes power a lot easier to achieve, and it makes power a lot easier to use.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, hosted by executive producer Jenny Luna, Fragale explores the communication strategies of a likeable badass, from building warmth and assertiveness to authentically connecting with colleagues. Whether you're building relationships in a new company or have been leading one for years, Fragale’s insights will help you command respect while communicating with kindness.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium

Episode Reference Links:

• Alison Fragale
• Alison’s Book: Likeable Badass
• Jenny Luna
• Ep.12 It's Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How To Communicate Power
• Ep.15 The Art of Negotiation: How to Get More of What You Want  

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:22) - Defining Power and Status
• (05:27) - Why Status Comes Before Power
• (06:20) - Communication Techniques to Build Status
• (09:28) - Evaluating Your Habits: Nonverbal and Verbal Cues
• (11:22) - Mentorship in Developing Communication
• (13:14) - Adapting to a New Work Culture
• (18:42) - Representing Difference Without Distance
• (19:50) - Overcoming Bad First Impressions
• (22:22) - The Final Three Question
• (26:07) - Conclusion

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