Elevator Pitches !
Hello Matt, Congratulations to you and your entire team on the upcoming milestone of 200th episode. Looking forward to it! My question: What is the recipe for an impactful elevator pitch? Additionally, is there a difference with regards to the ingredients that I should use, when the audience for the pitch knows me vs does not know me. Cheers, Aaswad
Question and Answer Time
Dear Professor Abrahams, I greatly enjoy your work, and I have learned a lot from your podcasts. In my experience giving presentations, both in the corporate environment, and at universities, I often find the Questions and Answer time to be the most valuable part, because when someone asks a question, I know exactly what they want to know and I can address their issue very directly. I have also found that many speakers are more engaging when responding to questions. When I am organizing a conference or an event, I usually prefer to have a panel with a moderator who will give each speaker questions, which are always directed to what the speaker wants to talk about. When I was working at a large financial company, we had a researcher for whom English was a second language, so he very carefully prepared a lengthy slide presentation and read his script, which was not very engaging. After a few presentations, I had him give me the script, and I went through all of his points by asking him each one, and the audience was much more engaged (for example "The main reason someone pays off their mortgage early is..." ==> "Why would someone pay off their mortgage early?") I suggest that speakers embrace the Question and Answer time as it could be the best part, adn the easiest part, of the presentation.
Question for 200th episode
Dear Matt, Thank you very much for this opportunity. I have always been curious about the most effective strategies for expanding one's vocabulary. Would you recommend extensive reading as a primary approach? If, so are there particular books or genres you find especially beneficial for this purpose? Best regards, Bozhena
Finding My Place: Where to Engagement in Your Community Discussion?
Hello, Matt, and greetings to everyone in your community (do you already have a name?), I feel like I've landed on your planet, even though I'm really from Berlin, Germany. I'm reaching out to learn about your community rules and to get to know everyone better. On LinkedIn, I tried to start a discussion about evidence-based medicine—a topic that seems to be losing ground since Trump came to power. It looks like it's being replaced by what I call “terrible medicine,” similar to what we saw in the early 20th century when advertising alone decided what was considered real medicine, almost like in the “Dark Middle Ages.” To share my thoughts, I sent my colleagues this short message: “I'm not Merlin, who sings 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President,' but this is my first address to a president.” I wanted to highlight that, back in January, Trump announced that the USA would leave the WHO, with a message like: “Mr. Trump, if you shut down the WHO, isn’t that like shutting down the police because they failed to stop a crime?” (link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mr-trump-you-shut-down-who-isnt-like-abolishing-crime-dr-arielli-i4fgf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via) Although I received some direct responses, I didn’t manage to start a broader conversation. That’s why I’d like to know if there’s another place or forum in your community where I can share this question, introduce myself, and learn more about everyone here. I would love to join in the ongoing discussions and help steer the conversation toward a wider dialogue. Thank you in advance for your advice, and warm greetings to all! Jasmina
Finding My Place: Where to Engagement in Your Community Discussion?
Hello, Matt, and greetings to everyone in your community (do you already have a name?), I feel like I've landed on your planet, even though I'm really from Berlin, Germany. I'm reaching out to learn about your community rules and to get to know everyone better. On LinkedIn, I tried to start a discussion about evidence-based medicine—a topic that seems to be losing ground since Trump came to power. It looks like it's being replaced by what I call “terrible medicine,” similar to what we saw in the early 20th century when advertising alone decided what was considered real medicine, almost like in the “Dark Middle Ages.” To share my thoughts, I sent my colleagues this short message: “I'm not Merlin, who sings 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President,' but this is my first address to a president.” I wanted to highlight that, back in January, Trump announced that the USA would leave the WHO, with a message like: “Mr. Trump, if you shut down the WHO, isn’t that like shutting down the police because they failed to stop a crime?” (link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mr-trump-you-shut-down-who-isnt-like-abolishing-crime-dr-arielli-i4fgf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via) Although I received some direct responses, I didn’t manage to start a broader conversation. That’s why I’d like to know if there’s another place or forum in your community where I can share this question, introduce myself, and learn more about everyone here. I would love to join in the ongoing discussions and help steer the conversation toward a wider dialogue. Thank you in advance for your advice, and warm greetings to all! Jasmina
Seeking a Local Presentation and Speech Coach
Hi Matt, I recently signed up for your premium services the hopes of joining a like-minded community. I have recently branched out on my own as a fashion consultant and am looking for a presentation and speech coach. Since, I live in Menlo Park and was wondering if you might know of someone local. I believe my future success greatly depends on my ability to present and communicate effecting. Looking forward to hearing from you. Warmly, Bozhena
How can we avoid pointless questions during meetings?
Hi Matt, Thank you for the podcast. My favorite episode is the one you and Marshall Goldsmith have discussed. The contents helped me to change my mindset and will change my communication styles after this holiday. Today, I would like to ask you how to deal with pointless questions during meeting, which are questions to solve or satisfy only the questioner's interest. I don`t think people should not ask those questions because those questions often waste other attendees' time and lead to unnecessary deep discussions quickly. How can we avoid pointless questions during meetings?
What's enough verbal communication?
Thank you for your podcast and your work. In a situation or instance, what is enough verbal communication? Being others-focused requires a certain conception of the other and how the communicated information is likely to be received. Once that's in place with the best available, what criteria to use to decide what's enough? One loose suggestion - that I get - is that it cannot be more than 3 distinct points as that's the optimum for anyone to reflect on the information, to trigger feeling and to prompt action. Would you have a criteria to decide? Also, this is often required in quick time. Are there clear dos and donts? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2025.
What techniques/tips do you have to articulate/communicate depth in leadership conversations?
Matt, I am glad we have this space to ask questions so thank you for that. I've been failing at communicating or articulating my leadership strengths in interviews. The feedback I am hearing is "there's no depth in the responses" or "she's not at the level we're hoping for" and to me that translates to not being able to communicate my leadership and responses in a way that is naturally expected from leaders (Directors and above). Where am I missing the mark and what techniques/suggestions might you have that'd held me fix my flaws?
Communicating with Board Members - Getting their approval (votes) to launch a mentorship program already approved and funded by a higher leadership circle
Hello Matt, First of all, congratulations on launching this fantastic Talk Fast Talk Smart Premium edition. I started listening to your podcasts when I was working in Paris and before transitioning to my work in Sacramento, CA. Thank you for designing such a helpful frameworks of communication and sharing the tools that made me a better communicator and a better strategist. I listened to your podcasts regularly and love top play specific episodes when I prepare for my meetings and presentations. My question to you is about how to communicate as a Board Member of the Sacramento Stanford Alumni Association to an Executive Committee who is resistant to support a mentorship program that was already awarded a grant and approved by the University. During the previous meetings, it seems difficult to explain and make it easy for the Board to understand the importance and value of this program to the local alumni club. It is very challenging to communicate a 12 page grant proposal in less than 5 minutes. To give you more context -- the goal of this program is to strengthen relationships between our University (Stanford), its Sacramento area alumni working in state government, and current students. We aim to build a supportive network that fosters lifelong connections and mentoring relationships across generations of Stanford community members. Thank you, Narjisse
Impactful conversation- head and body movement
How to control body movements during conversations ? I move my body and especially my head a lot during conversation. I realised this after watching my recent office meetings recording via teams and doesn’t feel Impactful due to this excessive head and body movement.
It is difficult to Listen to other's opinion when we have opnions with strong confidents
Hi Matt, thank you for the opportunity to ask a question directly to you. I sincerely appreciate it. I really enjoy your podcasts. Here is my question. It is very difficult to listen to others' opinions when we have strong opinions with strong confidents and robust rationale while others are senior leadership, but they have only experiences, but not have scientific rationale. Could you share your thoughts How I can do constructive discussions, get alignments, and move forward a project before we lose trust each others?
What is the most effective way to teach the principles of Think Faster Talk Smarter?
Hello Matt, What is the most effective way to teach the principles of Think Faster Talk Smarter? I would like to teach young people and retired people techniques to decrease their loneliness. My hunch is that by better connecting with others this will open doors to connection and starting new relationships. I am curious what you have found in teaching your courses and consulting as the best ways to transfer the tools you write about to students and adults? Thank you, Mike Gouveia Riverside, CA
Talking/Promoting about self
Hi Matt, I consider myself fairly comfortable in communication in general. I have done fair amount of public speaking, conference presentations and have been a panelist with peers. All of these revolve around one or more topics or the conversations are about someone/something else. So far so good. Now comes the real challenge... I have noticed that I struggle when it comes to talking about myself. Say, during general introduction or the more serious situations such as 'interviews' :) I struggle to keep it concise. Any tips to focus on bringing out my true, yet best side would be welcome. If there is a structure for it, please do share. Cheers, Aaswad
structure for paraphrasing
Hey Matt, I’m very happy with your book and podcast, and I’m looking forward to the premium edition. I especially use your structures, and they help me a lot in my communication, including in my leadership. I wanted to ask if you have a structure for paraphrasing. If you do, I would love to see some examples, as it would help me learn the structure better. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
'how the hell does he know that?' technique
Congratulations on launching the premium program, Matt! I’m really intrigued by Dan Pink’s technique from episode #92, especially his 'how the hell does he know that?' approach. I've been experimenting with this in my own presentations, but I struggle to make it feel authentic rather than just 'Googled.' Do you have any frameworks or specific tips that could help me deliver these kinds of insights naturally and build credibility with my audience?"
Navigating Hard Conversations
HI Matt, In my job I sometimes need to give members of my team difficult feedback from the business owners. Sometimes,I don't think this is reasonable, but many times it is. I have my team's respect but the business owner's do not. How do I navigate these tricky conversations as a conflict avoidant person while keeping the respect and position of advocacy for my team?
Advocating for myself in the midst of strong feelings
When talking to people who are experiencing strong feelings, I tend to let that person dominate the conversation, even if I have strong feelings myself. How can I respectfully acknowledge my conversation mate's strong feelings while ensuring my voice is heard?