How can humor make communication more effective, even in high-pressure situations? The power of humor lies in its ability to build connections, ease tension, and help people navigate difficult moments. In this clip from the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Nir Halevy explores humor in communication through the surprising example…
What does it take to build a team where people thrive, contribute, and bring out the best in one another? Virtuocracy offers a different way to think about leadership and hierarchy, focusing on the values and qualities that help teams work better together. In this clip from the latest episode…
A 911 dispatcher tells a parked cop to go gamble at the casino. And the officer isn’t offended! In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Stanford GSB professor Nir Halevy joins host Matt Abrahams to talk about his new book, Level Up: Why Hierarchies Are Broken and How to…
Why might asking for advice be more useful than asking for feedback? In clip from the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Adam Grant shares some insights from his US Air Force training career, and explores how changing the way you seek input can lead to more better conversations. Instead of…
Great communication is not a talent you are born with. It is a skill you can build. In his conversation on the Finding Mastery podcast, Matt Abrahams breaks down his three keys to communicating with more clarity and confidence, in any moment that matters. Watch to the end for all…
Most meetings fizzle out instead of finishing. Matt Abrahams has a better close: wrap with gratitude, restate the goal, and spell out the call to action so everyone leaves with clarity. Then keep the conversation alive with shared notes and a quick follow-up. Small habits, big difference in how your…
Meetings are not the only way to communicate. Matt Abrahams suggests asking what is the best way to convey this information. Sometimes it is convening a team to discuss or decide. But updates? There are plenty of creative ways to share those without pulling everyone together. Protect your calendar, and…
Your attendees should not feel that “little spark of joy” when a meeting gets cancelled. In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams argues that painful gatherings are a design failure, not a tax of working life. Drawing on his own consulting cases and Stanford research,…
Ever wonder why you instantly click with some people but struggle to connect with others? Understanding who you are vibing with starts with paying attention to the small cues that make conversations feel natural and engaging. In this clip from the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Adam Grant and Matt…
Struggling with public speaking anxiety? One way to work through the fear is by gradually facing the situations that make you nervous. This clip from the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast discusses exactly that with guest Adam Grant. He explores how public speaking exposure therapy can help people become more…
How do you build meaningful connections with different people? In this clip from the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Adam Grant explores three ways to connect with others: as an ally, a pal, or a companion. Each approach offers a different way to build relationships, understand people, and strengthen your…
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams speaks with Adam Grant, organizational psychologist, top-rated Wharton professor, bestselling author of Think Again and Hidden Potential, and host of TED's Re: Thinking. His new book Vibe: The Secrets of Strong Connections in a Lonely World asks why some…
What is in media res, and how can it help you become a better storyteller? In this short, we explore the in medias res literary term, a storytelling technique that starts a story in the middle of things to immediately create curiosity. Learn how in media res can help you…
Nervous before a big moment? Do not reach for your phone, take a walk. Oliver Aust says movement beats checking emails, which only gets your blood racing. It is the first step in his BMW framework: body, mind, words. Calm the body, reframe the nerves as excitement, and prepare your…
The most memorable communication is not the most polished. It is the most human. Astro Teller shares that when you are honest, specific, and real, even stories about getting things wrong become exciting and meaningful, because people can see themselves in them. Emotion is the connection, and these three ingredients…
We spend most of our lives learning, so why do we make failure so shameful? Astro Teller shares hat being wrong is the exact moment learning happens, and emotionally avoiding it means avoiding growth. Tighten your learning loops by making failure okay. It is not the enemy of progress; it…
According to the Moonshot mindset, if you come up with an idea that is guaranteed to succeed, you will be… fired! That’s because any idea that is guaranteed to succeed is not RADICAL enough to make a difference. And that is the mindset that Astro Teller tries to inculcate in…
Looking for conversations to have on a date that go beyond the usual questions? This short explores how to avoid small talk and turn simple questions into more memorable conversations. Learn how to get out of small talk by bringing up something personal, interesting, or unexpected that gives the other…
What makes a good date? For a matchmaker, one simple question can reveal a lot about how a date went: what side of you did the other person bring out? In this short, discover how to tell if a date went well by paying attention to the emotions and personality…
Building a connection with someone doesn’t always require a long conversation. In this short, a simple voice note shows how small, personal gestures can help with connecting with people, building connections with others, and building social connections. Voice notes can make talking to friends feel more personal while creating an…
Rachel Greenwald has listened to thousands of first-date debriefs. She found the ONE question that tells her how each one went. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams welcomes back Rachel Greenwald, executive fellow at Harvard Business School, professional matchmaker, and co-teacher of Stanford's Designing for…
What does it take to build a business that lasts? Creating a successful business involves more than having a great idea, it requires a framework that can help you get to the last mile. In this episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, Daniel Lubetzky shares his 3 Cs…
Ever wished you could just ask Matt Abrahams your toughest communication question? Here is your chance. Join Matt and MasterClass for a free live Ask Matt Anything, built around his Strategic Communication certificate program. October 14 at 8:30 a.m. PT. Reserve your spot at fastersmarter.io/masterclass. What would you ask?
Our instinct in conflict is to respond right away and get tense. Matt Abrahams says the response should actually come last. In our recent episode with @LorraineKLee he walks through his CLEAR framework: check yourself, listen, explore, acknowledge, then respond. And remember, acknowledging what someone said does not mean you…