One of the most essential ingredients to success in business and life is effective communication.
Join Matt Abrahams, best-selling author and Strategic Communication lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he interviews experts to provide actionable insights that help you communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. From handling impromptu questions to crafting compelling messages, Matt explores practical strategies for real-world communication challenges.
Whether you’re navigating a high-stakes presentation, perfecting your email tone, or speaking off the cuff, Think Fast, Talk Smart equips you with the tools, techniques, and best practices to express yourself effectively in any situation. Enhance your communication skills to elevate your career and build stronger professional relationships.
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When it comes to leading a team, there’s no such thing as too much information. Good leadership is about good communication. And for General Stanley McChrystal , that means creating a culture of free-flowing information: “The goal is to have everyone know everything all the time,” he says. McChrystal is a retired four-star general, former commander of US and international forces in Afghanistan, and a renowned leadership expert. In his experience building cohesive teams in complex environments, h...
Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick. Clarity is the cornerstone of great communication—but turning your thoughts into words isn’t always simple. That’s why Grammarly exists: to help you express yourself with confidence and precision, no matter the context. For over a decade, Grammarly has helped millions of people improve their writing, from everyday emails to high-stakes professional communications. In this episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools minis...
To connect with others, you have to get out of your own head. Whether presenting to millions on live television or talking to just one person, Dan Harris knows that the quality of every interaction depends on the presence you bring to it. Harris is a former national news anchor for ABC News and is now the host of the 10% Happier podcast and author of 10% Happier and Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics . As he knows from experience, there’s power in “Waking up to something fundamental, that the mind ...
Why what isn’t said can communicate more than what is spoken. We often speak in hints and half-truths, not because we can’t be direct, but because subtlety protects our relationships. “An awful lot of the time, we don’t just blurt out what we mean,” says Steven Pinker . “We hint, we wink, we beat around the bush — counting on our listener to read between the lines, connect the dots, catch our drift.” Pinker is the Johnstone Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, a celebrated linguist and...
Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick. Clear communication isn’t just about sharing information — it’s about making ideas stick. That’s why Yuhki Yamashita , Chief Product Officer at Figma, believes the key to effective collaboration lies in turning complex concepts into simple, memorable visuals. For years, Figma has been reshaping the way teams brainstorm, design, and build together — making it easier than ever to bring ideas to life in real time. In this episod...
To celebrate its second anniversary, we revisit our favourite tools and tips from Matt’s book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter. Original executive producer Jenny Luna turns the tables and interviews host and strategic communications lecturer Matt Abrahams about his bestselling book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot . To celebrate the book’s second anniversary, this special Rethinks episode dives into Matt’s most practical tips, powerful frameworks, and...
Be ready, stay grounded, and communicate clearly — no matter what’s at stake. Communicating under pressure isn’t just a useful skill — it can be the difference between escalation and resolution. For Chris Voss , former FBI hostage negotiator and CEO of The Black Swan Group, it’s a daily discipline built on empathy, self-regulation, and intentional listening. In this expanded conversation from our Spontaneous Speaking miniseries, Voss offers a rare window into the mindset and methods that helped ...
In this Tech Tools miniseries episode, Matt Abrahams speaks with Prezi CEO Jim Szafranski about reimagining communication. They explore how the strategic use of visuals, leveraging spatial memory, enhances information retention and simplifies complex ideas. The discussion also covers the advantages of non-linear storytelling for audience engagement and personalization, along with AI's growing role in making visual communication more accessible and effective.
In this episode, Ilana Golan, founder of Leap Academy, shares insights on personal and professional reinvention. She emphasizes the importance of being "leap-ready," recognizing signs for change, and strategically building portfolio careers. Golan also highlights how honest communication, starting with internal conviction, is crucial for articulating career pivots and finding clarity through action and experimentation.
In the digital age, it’s critical to craft communication that fits the context. Like it or not, algorithms now decide whose messages get heard. “If you want to communicate effectively,” says Adam Aleksic , “you need to be exactly aware of what that medium is doing.” Aleksic is a linguist, author, and educational content creator with millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. His latest book, Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language , explores how the p...
Author Laura Spinney discusses why language and storytelling are fundamental to being human, exploring their evolution and power. The episode delves into theories of storytelling, what makes a narrative compelling, and how ancient words and stories from the Proto-Indo-European language reveal deep cultural connections and historical clues. Spinney offers practical advice on improving communication by understanding its inherent mechanisms and historical depth.
In this episode, Alison Wood Brooks and Naomi Bagdonis discuss the profound impact of levity on communication and relationships. They define levity as a mindset of seeking joy and openness, emphasizing its core role in personal interactions, team success, and leadership effectiveness. The conversation also delves into practical advice on asking questions, the importance of "guiding principles" for leaders, and how to overcome common challenges in embracing humor and risk-taking in conversations.
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 life are on the other side of a difficult conversation,” says Jenn Wynn , a professor at NYU Stern School of Business and previously the director of education at the Obama Foundation. For nearly 10 years, she has taught...
How do you stay clear, calm, and precise when every word counts and there’s no room for error? Staying calm and focused while translating high-stakes conversations in real time isn’t just a language skill — it’s a masterclass in communication under pressure. And for Giampaolo Bianchi , simultaneous interpreter for the United Nations and World Health Organization, it’s a challenge he meets with presence, precision, and a whole lot of preparation. In this expanded conversation from our Spontaneous...
Master the art of thinking on your feet and turning unpredictability into powerful communication. Being quick on your feet isn’t just a performance skill — it’s a communication necessity. And for Peter Sagal , longtime host of NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me , it’s a craft he’s honed over more than two decades in front of a live audience. In this expanded conversation from our Spontaneous Speaking series, Sagal shares what it really takes to communicate with presence, flexibility, and confidence ...
When communicating with their employees, most firms have no idea who they’re talking to. Good communication is about knowing your audience. But if your organization is only focused on knowing your customers, James Root says you're forgetting a whole other cohort: your employees. Root is a senior partner at Bain & Company, Chair of Bain Futures, and author of The Archetype Effect , in which he reveals a simple but overlooked truth: people want different things from their jobs. Despite this, m...
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 u...
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 Gre...
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 Neuros...
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 i...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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 workp...
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 ca...
How to turn curiosity, clarity, and AI into your most powerful job search tools. Job search isn’t just about landing your next role—it’s about understanding who you are and how you want to show up in the world. According to Andrew Seaman , Senior Managing Editor for Jobs and Career Development at LinkedIn, that process begins with curiosity, not certainty. “People assume they need to apply to dozens of jobs with a perfect résumé,” he explains. “But the best applications are rooted in self-awaren...
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...
How victim, villain, and helpless stories sabotage our most important conversations. The hardest conversations aren’t just about what you say to the other person. According to Joseph Grenny , critical conversations begin with the stories that you tell yourself. As a leading expert on business performance and communication, and a New York Times bestselling co-author of Crucial Conversations , Grenny explains that navigating high-stakes communication starts by examining the internal narratives we ...
Great strategy starts with a question—and a story worth believing in. A good strategy isn’t just built—it’s told. For Martin Reeves , chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and author of The Imagination Machine and Like: The Button That Changed the World , strategy and imagination are both deeply communicative processes, rooted in storytelling, curiosity, and the courage to reframe assumptions. “A strategy is really just a special kind of story,” Reeves explains. “It begins with the present and...
A live SXSW panel on how employee complaints illuminate the path to organizational innovation. Wrong question: How can AI revolutionize productivity in my organization? Right question: What do my employees hate most about their jobs? For the Portland Trail Blazers, a winning game plan for AI implementation didn’t begin with a tech-first approach — it began with a talk-first one. “The whole concept was to talk about pain points," explains David Long, VP of Digital Innovation, describing the "Lunc...
