logo
episode-header-image
Jun 10
26m 58s

208. Ambiguity to Action: Tensions and T...

Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
About this episode

Amidst constant change, clear communication is the key to navigating uncertainty.


How do you communicate with others when you’re confused yourself? For Rob Siegel, leadership isn’t about avoiding uncertainty, it’s about embracing the clarity that ambiguity can bring.

"What if ambiguity is the new normal?" asks Siegel, a venture investor and lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business. From rapidly evolving AI to ratcheting geopolitical tensions, every day brings a “crisis du jour,” he says. “I may like it, I may not like it. That doesn't really matter, but I've gotta get my team through it."

In his latest book, The Systems Leader: Mastering the Cross Pressures That Make or Break Today's Companies, Siegel explores how leaders today are “living in dualities,” caught between managing existing processes and adapting to emerging disruptions. “The sooner we get comfortable with [change] in the sense of ‘I don't have to like it, but I can deal with it,’ then [we can] lead our teams and give them the calm to know they can get through this.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Siegel and host Matt Abrahams explore how to communicate effectively amidst constant change. From preparation strategies for spontaneous speaking to building trust through candid conversations, Siegel offers practical tips for communicating with clarity when nothing is certain but change.

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

Episode Reference Links:

Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (01:49) - Adapting Leadership for Uncertainty
  • (03:51) - Systems Leadership and Cross Pressures
  • (05:13) - Communication and Context
  • (05:59) - Framing Complex Ideas
  • (06:54) - Innovation vs. Execution
  • (08:44) - Leading Through Ambiguity
  • (10:06) - Short-Term vs. Long-Term Focus
  • (13:17) - Balancing Strength and Empathy
  • (15:59) - Leadership with Humanity
  • (17:15) - Engaging Students Effectively
  • (20:33) - The Final Three Questions
  • (25:27) - 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.       

Up next
Yesterday
214. From Crisis to Clarity: Simplicity, Feedback, and the Art of Being Heard
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: ... Show More
24m 19s
Jul 1
213. Rethinks: Building Trusting Relationships Through Communication
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 psych ... Show More
30m 13s
Jun 26
212. Break It to Make It: Disrupt Your Way to the Perfect Job Fit
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 i ... Show More
26m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
How to communicate complex ideas simply and effectively (from Think Fast, Talk Smart)
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 busin ... Show More
24m 45s
Jun 25
🎙️ Mentorship, Leadership & Mindset Growth with Marcus Gurske | Speak English Clearly & Confidently at Work
🎙️ In this episode of the Real English Conversations Podcast, Curtis reconnects with longtime friend, mentor, and leadership strategist Marcus Gurske to dive deep into what it means to lead with purpose and mentor with impact. With over 20 years of experience in professional com ... Show More
23m 56s
Nov 2023
Think Faster and Talk Smarter to Impress Anyone | Matt Abrahams
Right now, we’d like to thank the sponsor of this episode: LifeMD. Looking to lose weight and improve your health? Embrace your journey towards a healthier and happier you, and achieve lasting sustainable weight loss with LifeMD by your side -> lifemd.com/CHARM In today’s episode ... Show More
53m 7s
Nov 2024
Ep 65 Stop Making These 3 Mistakes If You Want to Speak Like a Leader
In this webinar, I break down 3 actionable strategies to help non-native English speakers build confidence, communicate with clarity and connect with colleagues and peers in any leadership role. Whether you're looking to improve your professional influence, make your ideas heard, ... Show More
53m 9s
Nov 2022
YAPClassic: Sheila Heen on Difficult Conversations and How to Discuss What Matters Most
"Hey, we need to talk..." -- if these words scare you, trust that you're not alone! Whether we’re dealing with an underperforming employee, upset with our spouse, or facing issues with a difficult client, we attempt to avoid difficult conversations every day. Healthy relationship ... Show More
53m 15s
Jan 2025
How to Make Better Decisions Under Pressure
Many people believe that leaders instinctively make the best decisions based on past experience, almost like muscle memory. But Carol Kauffman, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and the founder of the Institute of Coaching, challenges this view. She explains why falli ... Show More
28m 14s
Apr 21
730: How to Take Initiative, with Tom Henschel
Tom Henschel: The Look & Sound of Leadership Tom Henschel of Essential Communications supports senior leaders and executive teams. An internationally recognized expert in the field of workplace communications and self-presentation, he has helped thousands of leaders achieve excel ... Show More
36m 16s
May 12
550: Artist, Leader, and Yale Fellow Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir on Rethinking Leadership Through Intuition and Inner Clarity
What if the leadership edge you’re looking for doesn’t come from working harder, but listening deeper? We talk often about productivity, performance, and pushing through. But few conversations explore the quieter forces shaping our best decisions, like intuition. In this episode, ... Show More
58m 26s
Aug 2024
Elevate Your Leadership - Communication Skills for New Managers
In this episode, we'll dive into essential communication strategies that new managers need to master. We'll explore key behaviors from Google's Project Oxygen—namely, being a good communicator and having a clear vision for your team. Effective communication isn't just about shari ... Show More
9m 25s
Oct 2024
702: Moving Past Transactional and Towards Relational, with Jonathan Raymond
Jonathan Raymond: Good Authority Jonathan Raymond is the founder of Refound and Ren AI. He helps leaders make work a better place, one conversation at a time. He’s the author of the book Good Authority: How to Become the Leader Your Team Is Waiting for and hosts the podcast of th ... Show More
39m 16s