logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2020
19m 30s

17. Think Fast: You Asked, We Answered

Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart
About this episode

We asked listeners to send in their communication conundrums and ended up with an inbox full of thoughtful, specific questions. 

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host and Stanford GSB lecturer Matt Abrahams is joined by Shawon Jackson, MBA ’21, to share techniques on crafting written responses, dealing with constant interruptions, and confronting the power dynamics present in most communication. Shawon is the founder of Our Voices Matter, a public speaking program for high school students of color and a dual-degree student between Stanford GSB and Harvard Kennedy School. 


Connect:

Up next
Aug 21
224. Make Your Messages Epic: The Evolution of Words and the Stories They Carry
Why modern communication still relies on ancient words and narratives.All communication and connection depend on one thing: language. That’s why Laura Spinney says understanding language — where it comes from and how it evolves over time — can help us use it more effectively.“Lan ... Show More
23m 29s
Aug 19
223. Laughing Matters: Levity, Leadership, and Lasting Connection
By lightening up your communication, you can build serious connections.Humor in communication isn’t all fun and games. According to Alison Wood Brooks and Naomi Bagdonas, levity is one of the most serious tools we have in building successful connections.Wood Brooks and Bagdonas, ... Show More
23m 41s
Aug 12
222. Discussing Through Discomfort: Why the Conversations You Avoid Cost You the Most
Some conversations are uncomfortable, but avoiding them comes with a cost.You want a more successful career, a more fulfilling relationship, a more meaningful life? What if all that’s standing in your way — are the conversations that you’re avoiding?“Most things that we want in l ... Show More
24m 31s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
681: The Way to Handle Q&A, with Matt Abrahams
Matt Abrahams: Think Faster, Talk Smarter Matt Abrahams is an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. He is a lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and a keynote speaker and communication consultant for Fortune 100 companies. ... Show More
39m 40s
Mar 2024
How to speak more confidently and persuasively | Matt Abrahams (professor, podcast host, author, speaker)
Matt Abrahams is a renowned communication expert, with decades of teaching, coaching, and consulting experience. At Stanford University, he teaches a business school class on strategic communication. Beyond academia, he’s a sought-after keynote speaker and consultant, guiding pre ... Show More
1h 11m
May 2024
3 Simple Tips to Talk Smarter According to a Stanford Professor
Stanford professor, author, and podcast host Matt Abrahams is back on the show to share simple tips that will help you think faster and talk smarter. You’ll learn:How to manage speaking anxiety symptomsSimple ways to structure your communication for the audienceHow to reframe the ... Show More
25m 30s
Sep 2023
Improve Your Impromptu Speaking
We all know that leaders need to captivate audiences and effectively convey their ideas. But not every speaking opportunity can be prepared and practiced. That's why it's so important to learn the skill of speaking off-the-cuff, and Matt Abrahams, lecturer at the Stanford Graduat ... Show More
29m 29s
Apr 2021
#207 How to have conversations that matter
In this week’s Ask the Expert interview, Sarah talks to author, radio host and TED speaker Celeste Headlee about how to have better conversations at work. Together they discuss why most of us focus too much on what we’re going to say rather than what we can learn from conversatio ... Show More
22m 18s
May 2021
#113: Welcome To Your FIRST Day At Harvard! Join My Class & Learn How To Get The BEST Deal Every Time with Chris Voss
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be in a Harvard class? Now you don’t have to! Get a behind the scenes look into my classroom and join in on this ultra special lecture. Today we bring in world-renowned negotiation expert, Chris Voss, to speak to us about the true power ... Show More
58m 14s
Mar 2024
How to Lead Great Conversations with Your Team
Some leaders spend their careers honing their relationships with employees. But Harvard Business School professor Boris Groysberg and corporate communications expert Michael Slind argue that leaders are at their best when they simply talk with their teams. In this episode, you’ll ... Show More
17m 25s
Jun 2024
SPI 797: A Niche Podcast Success Story with Dr. Yishan Xu
#797 It's one thing to come up with an idea for a business, but following through on your vision is another thing altogether. Today, I'm happy to introduce you to someone who has done just that. I met Dr. Yishan Xu in 2019 and she has since published almost two hundred episodes o ... Show More
31m 33s
May 2024
Google Speaks, OpenAI Listens
Step aside, Siri. A new generation of AI voice assistants has arrived. First, (00:21) Asit Sharma and Mary Long dive into today’s inflation report and talk through the latest AI offerings from Alphabet and OpenAI. Then, (16:03) Ricky Mulvey asks Jason Hall whether co-CEOS are eve ... Show More
28m 45s
Jul 2020
#449: Grandmaster Maurice Ashley — The Path and Strategies of World-Class Mastery
Grandmaster Maurice Ashley — The Path and Strategies of World-Class Mastery | Brought to you by Helix Sleep, ExpressVPN, and Athletic Greens. Maurice Ashley (@MauriceAshley) made history in 1999 when he became the first African-American chess Grandmaster. He is a three-time natio ... Show More
1h 59m