Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

"Almost reflexively, most of us focus in the moment on how others are perceiving us, yet these situations aren't about us at all." Matt Abrahams, host of Think Fast, Talk Smart, shares an excerpt from his book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot, on the art of delivering effective toasts and tributes. With a focus on public speaking in celebratory contexts, he offers a structured approach to crafting meaningful remarks.
Matt introduces the WHAT structure—a four-part formula designed to guide speakers through the process. This method helps ensure that the focus remains on the honorees, transforming speeches into gifts for the audience. He further shares tips for refining remarks, including the importance of brevity and the need to prepare for emotional moments. Matt advises, "Be brief and to the point. Long toasts, tributes, or introductions are usually bad ones." He also highlights the significance of setting others up for success, ensuring a smooth flow for subsequent speakers.
With insights from his book and practical examples, Matt equips listeners with the tools to deliver impactful toasts and tributes, making these moments memorable for all involved.

Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from THINK FASTER, TALK SMARTER by Matt Abrahams, read by the author. Copyright 2023 by Matthew Abrahams LLC. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Episode Reference Links:

• Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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
• (01:38) - Key Insight: Toasts, Tributes, and Introductions
• (03:09) - Why it Matters
• (03:59) - Craft Your Content
• (05:10) - Step One: Why Are We Here?
• (05:54) - Step Two: How Are You Connected?
• (06:45) - Step Three: Anecdotes or Learnings
• (07:53) - Step Four: Thank
• (08:35) - Refine Your Remarks
• (09:02) - Tip One: Be Brief and to the Point
• (09:52) - Tip Two: Prepare to be Emotional
• (11:44) - Tip Three: Shine the Spotlight Away From You
• (12:14) - Tip Four: Make Your Anecdotes Accessible and Appropriate
• (12:44) - Tip Five: Strive for Unity
• (14:07) - Tip Six: Set Others Up for Success
• (15:00) - Conclusion

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Whether you’re holding a team meeting or hosting a family get-together, the success of any gathering, says Priya Parker, isn’t about the perfect agenda or venue, but about the intentionality behind how you bring people together.

“90% of the success of any gathering happens before anyone enters the room,” says Parker. As the author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, and a strategic advisor who has helped organizations worldwide reimagine their gatherings, Parker believes that thoughtful preparation can turn any meeting, whether professional or personal, into a meaningful and memorable experience for all involved. “Intentionality is the first step,” she says, “to pause and ask: why are we doing this? What is the purpose? What is the need in this community or in this classroom or in this team?”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Parker joins Matt Abrahams to explore the art of meaningful gatherings, sharing practical strategies for everything from crafting invitations that prime engagement to designing powerful closings that leave a lasting impact. By being more thoughtful in bringing people together, we can transform ordinary meetings into extraordinary opportunities for connection and collaboration.

Episode Reference Links:

• Priya Parker 
• Priya’s Book: The Art of Gathering 
• Ep.124 Making Meetings Meaningful, Pt. 1: How to Structure and Organize More Effective Gatherings 
• Ep.125 Making Meetings Meaningful, Pt. 2: Key Ingredients for Effective Meetings 

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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
• (01:42) - Intentionality in Everyday Conversations
• (03:28) - Questioning the Purpose of Gatherings
• (05:36) - The Power of Great Questions
• (08:39) - Managing Heat in Conversations
• (10:48) - Encouraging Participation Beforehand
• (13:28) - Creating Impactful Endings
• (15:54) - The Final Three Questions
• (18:48) - Conclusion

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The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and, occasionally, communication challenges and as we gather with family, friends, and colleagues, effective communication becomes crucial. To help make this time more enjoyable, this special Think Fast Talk Smart “Rethinks” episode revisits favorite “recipes” from past Stanford guests along with Matt’s advice for tackling three common holiday scenarios: contributing effectively to ongoing conversations, engaging in meaningful small talk, and managing conflict with clarity and empathy. Whether it's making small talk or resolving conflicts, these strategies aim to turn holiday communication hurdles into opportunities for connection and collaboration.

Episode Reference Links:

• Ep.169 Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count 

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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
• (02:52) - Challenge 1: Inserting Your Voice into Conversations
• (04:07) - Expert Insights on Inserting Ideas
• (05:53) - Challenge 2: Mastering Small Talk
• (07:29) - Expert Strategies for Small Talk
• (09:31) - Challenge 3: Managing Holiday Conflicts
• (11:18) - Expert Tips for Conflict Resolution
• (12:55) - Conclusion

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"Start with the action moment or right before it," advises Hilary Price whose one-panel comic strips offer insights far beyond humor—they’re lessons in concise storytelling that resonate with anyone seeking to communicate effectively. “Simplify and amplify,” Price advises, emphasizing the art of clarity and impact. Every stroke of her pen strips away the unnecessary, letting the essentials shine through.
Creating her daily comic strip, Rhymes with Orange, Price starts with the game of “what if,” merging unexpected ideas to surprise and engage her readers. “You want to start at the action moment—or just before,” she notes, pointing out how the unsaid often speaks louder. Price extends this philosophy beyond cartoons: whether crafting a presentation, a joke, or a story, it’s essential to leave room for the audience to co-create meaning. “Don’t spoon-feed your readers,” she says. “The joy comes from not getting it, then getting it.”
In this bonus episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, Price joins host Matt Abrahams to explore the power of surprise, stakes, and shared experience in storytelling—reminding us that the punchline, whether in humor or communication, is where the magic happens.

Episode Reference Links:

• Hilary Price
• Rhymes With Orange
• Ep.170 Advice From Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1
• Ep.171 Advice From Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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
• (02:38) - What Makes a Good Story?
• (03:31) - Crafting a Story
• (04:51) - Auditioning the Characters
• (07:55) - Stories in Daily Life
• (09:43) - Visuals in Storytelling
• (11:30) - The Power of a Punchline
• (13:37) - Admired Storytellers
• (15:34) - Communicating with Titles
• (17:06) - Conclusion

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When we react, our instincts and impulses are in the driver’s seat. But when we take the time to reflect, that’s when Marshall Goldsmith says we take back control of how we respond.

“​​​​Before speaking at work, breathe,” Goldsmith says. “Is my comment going to improve this other human being's commitment? At home, breathe. Is my comment going to improve this relationship with someone I love? If the answer is no, why am I saying it?”

As a world-renowned executive coach, speaker, and best-selling author, Goldsmith teaches how a mindful approach can change how we relate to others, to ourselves, and even to our career goals and ambitions. Through reflection, we identify our values, which we can use to live what Goldsmith calls an “earned life — when the choices, risks, and effort we make in each moment align with an overarching purpose in our lives.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Goldsmith joins host Matt Abrahams to explore practical strategies for bettering our interactions with others and ourselves, from his “feed forward” method for giving and receiving constructive critique to his "daily questions" practice, which prompts reflective self-inquiry to keep us focused on what truly matters.

Episode Reference Links:

• Marshall Goldsmith
• Marshall’s Books: What Got Here Won't Get You There / Triggers 
• Ep.138 Speak Your Truth: Why Authenticity Leads to Better Communication

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
• 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
• (01:38) - Key Communication Advice
• (02:20) - An Earned Life
• (04:17) - Transition to Leadership
• (05:48) - Breathe Before Speaking
• (07:03) - Feedforward vs. Feedback
• (08:03) - Managing Triggers
• (09:54) - Daily Success Checklist
• (12:32) - Using AI for Coaching
• (14:01) - Influencing Up Leadership
• (15:36) - The Final Three Questions
• (18:31) - Conclusion

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