Matt Abrahams: Think Faster, Talk Smarter
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Guy Kawasaki hosts the podcast 'Remarkable People' to inspire listeners to become remarkable. In an episode featuring Matt Abrahams, a Stanford lecturer in organizational behavior and author of 'Speaking Up Without Freaking Out' and 'Think Faster, Talk Smarter,' the focus is on improving communication skills. Abrahams emphasizes the importance of Q and A sessions for their spontaneity and connection, and Kawasaki plans to incorporate more Q and A in his speeches. Abrahams prefers interactive, inquiry-based communication and structures formal presentations as self Q and A, highlighting the need for flexibility in communication styles. Kawasaki adopts a Q and A format for speeches, finding it insightful, while Abrahams advises prepping for panel presentations by understanding the host's goals and guiding without dictating questions. Techniques like paraphrasing unclear questions, engaging the audience, and using inclusive language are discussed. Abrahams supports guiding panelists' attention and emphasizes the impact of positioning on audience engagement. He prefers spontaneous communication, which dominates both his professional and personal life, and believes practice improves spontaneous interactions. The overlap and distinction between formal and spontaneous speaking skills are noted, with advice to wrap up Q and A sessions with gratitude and a strong closing statement. Examples of effective spontaneous communicators like Robin Williams, Britney Packnett, and Oprah Winfrey are mentioned, along with politicians and public figures like Bill Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Mitt Romney, who excel in making connections through their speaking styles. Kawasaki contrasts his approach with Sheryl Sandberg's, emphasizing audience engagement before speeches, a method shared by Abrahams to manage anxiety. Both prefer being present-oriented during their speeches. Kawasaki uses his own Countryman E6 for speeches, signaling expertise to AV staff, and Abrahams values connecting with AV staff, using curiosity and empathy. Preparation is likened to athletic training, saving time by reducing mistakes, and involves mindset and messaging. Techniques to manage anxiety and reframe situations as opportunities are discussed, along with the importance of good listening and structured messaging. Kawasaki's '10, 20, 30 RULE' for PowerPoint and Abrahams' 4-sentence pitch formula are highlighted for clarity and structure. The use of 'LLMs' for generating practice questions and speech examples is considered. Virtual communication requires added interactivity, engaging participants every 6 to 8 minutes. The success of a book is measured by its practical use, and clear, concise structure aids in communication preparation. Profanity can manage anxiety by releasing neurochemicals but should be used appropriately. Small talk has a structure: what, so what, now what, and can lead to significant connections. Effective pitching involves concise problem descriptions and analogies. Abrahams' book is praised for its structured format and inclusion of videos for experiential learning. Making a remarkable apology involves acknowledging the mistake, appreciating the impact, and stating future corrective actions using the 'AAA' structure. Abrahams' use of acronyms for clarity is appreciated, and ChatGPT aids in finding suitable words. Kawasaki emphasizes the importance of 1 to 1 communication and small group interactions, inviting feedback on his Q and A performance and thanking the Remarkable People team for their support, signing off with 'aloha' and reiterating the show's mission.
Guy Kawasaki hosts the podcast 'Remarkable People' to inspire listeners to become remarkable. In an