DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, Matt Abrahams, a renowned communication expert and lecturer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, shares his insights and techniques for public speaking and communicating effectively on the spot. He discusses how visualization can help desensitize people to speaking situations and offers strategies for managing anxiety through techniques like reframing excitement, using mantras, and focusing on present-oriented tasks.
Abrahams emphasizes the importance of preparation and structure, even for spontaneous speaking. He introduces various frameworks, such as the PREP structure, the What? So What? Now What? structure, and the ADD structure for Q&As, to help organize thoughts and deliver clear, concise messages. He also provides specific advice for common scenarios like small talk, giving feedback, toasts and tributes, and apologizing.
Throughout the conversation, Abrahams stresses that effective communication is a learnable skill, encouraging listeners to take initiative, practice regularly, and approach speaking opportunities with self-compassion. He shares resources like Toastmasters, improv classes, and his book, 'Think Faster, Talk Smarter,' to help listeners improve their spontaneous speaking abilities.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Visualization can help desensitize individuals to speaking situations and reduce anxiety.
- Reframing anxiety as excitement and using mantras can help manage negative self-talk and boost confidence.
- Daring to be 'dull' and focusing on connection rather than perfection can improve spontaneous communication.
- Preparation and structure, such as using frameworks like PREP, What? So What? Now What?, and ADD, are crucial for effective spontaneous speaking.
- Communication skills, including speaking on the spot, can be improved through practice, reflection, and feedback.
- Techniques like storytelling, emotional connection, and equal disclosure levels can enhance small talk, toasts, and feedback delivery.
- Seeking resources like Toastmasters, improv classes, and communication books can support personal growth in public speaking.
- Effective communication is a learnable skill that requires initiative, self-compassion, and a willingness to work on it.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Visualization is a really useful technique, and you see yourself not just in the moment of speaking, but getting up to the stage, seeing it being well received, thinking about how you step off the stage.“ by Matt Abrahams
- “What our body feels, our minds think.“ by Matt Abrahams
- “You actually have to prepare to be spontaneous, and that's counterintuitive. But when you think about it in athletics or jazz music, it's like, of course you would prepare at practice.“ by Matt Abrahams
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Episode Information
Lenny's Podcast: Product | Growth | Career
Lenny Rachitsky
3/31/24
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 presenters from IPO road shows to prestigious platforms like TED, the World Economic Forum, and the United Nations. His acclaimed podcast, Think Fast, Talk Smart, garners millions of listeners, and his book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter, equips speakers with practical skills for impromptu success. With a previous bestseller, Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, Matt has empowered countless individuals to speak confidently and authentically. In our conversation, we discuss:
• The concept of “daring to be dull”
• The power of visualization to desensitize oneself to speaking situations
• Managing negative self-talk
• The WHAT structure for delivering toasts (why we are here, how you are connected, anecdote, thanks)
• The ADD structure for Q&As (answer, detailed example, describe relevance)
• Breathing techniques to reduce anxiety, such as the double exhale
• Concrete speaking structures like What? So What? Now What? and the Four I’s (information, impact, invitation, implications)
• Much more
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Find the transcript and references at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-speak-more-confidently-and
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Where to find Matt Abrahams:
• X: https://twitter.com/tftsthepod
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/
• Website: https://mattabrahams.com/
• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ll0MwobDt1JW9gYaOONEo
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Where to find Lenny:
• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com
• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/
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In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Matt’s background
(04:50) Techniques for managing anxiety in public speaking
(10:57) Dare to be dull
(13:40) Reframing anxiety as excitement
(16:08) Using mantras to boost confidence
(18:45) Managing negative self-talk
(20:03) Normalizing speaking anxiety
(23:12) Using conversation as a communication technique
(24:52) Using the double-exhale breathing technique
(28:29) Getting present-oriented
(29:46) Using tongue twisters
(33:34) Broad advice for speaking on the spot
(38:35) The PREP structure
(38:59) The What? So What? Now What? structure
(42:10) Toastmasters and improv
(45:31) Getting better at small talk
(51:05) The importance of sharing back
(52:33) Giving feedback
(56:31) Improving toasts and tributes
(01:02:57) Mastering Q&A sessions
(01:07:25) Apologizing effectively
(01:09:29) Closing thoughts
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Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.
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