Your team is bigger than you think. Melissa Valentine and her co-author had a phrase they kept coming back to while writing their book: "experts everywhere, all the time." Your core team? Keep them close. Work hard together, take care of each other. But don't stop there. The world, your…
The best collaborators don't try to "build" trust. They offer it. Melissa Valentine's research on flash teams found that high-performing groups assume trust from day one, treating new teammates as competent until shown otherwise. The goal isn't perfect trust. It's fast trust, with the ability to repair it when something…
Teams don't always need years to build trust—they need the right conditions to build it quickly. As a Stanford professor and expert in organizational design, Melissa Valentine studies how communication, team structure, and emerging technologies help people collaborate more effectively. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Valentine joins…
How to be funny isn't about memorizing jokes, it's about being present, curious, and connecting naturally with the people around you. In this snippet featuring Chris Duffy on the Think Fast Talk Smart hosted by Matt Abrahams, the discussion explores how to be funnier, and practical techniques for using humor…
Open-ended conversations are one of the best ways to build meaningful connections and keep discussions flowing naturally. In this conversation featuring Chris Duffy on the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast hosted by Matt Abrahams, the discussion introduces the idea of the conversational doorknob, a communication technique that invites the other…
Comedy communication is about more than getting laughs. It’s a powerful way to capture attention, make ideas memorable, and build stronger connections with an audience. In this conversation featuring Chris Duffy on the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast, hosted by Matt Abrahams, the discussion explores practical comedy communication skills that…
Humor is more than entertainment—it's a powerful way to create connection. As a comedian, writer, and former teacher, Chris Duffy has learned that laughter, curiosity, and emotion can transform even ordinary conversations into memorable experiences. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Duffy joins Matt Abrahams to explore how…
‘Remote work vs working from the office’ is not just a debate about where people work, it’s a debate about what kinds of opportunities they gain and lose along the way. In this conversation featuring Kim Storin, on the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast hosted by Matt Abrahams, the discussion…
Save this before your next big pitch. 5 appeals that make people say yes, from Matt Abrahams: Logos, Pathos, Ethos, Mythos, Kairos. Great persuaders don't pick one, they blend all five. Learn to lead with influence in the full @Masterclass at https://bit.ly/4vHB8j3 #ThinkFastTalkSmart #Persuasion #MasterClass #CommunicationSkills
When someone resists your idea, your instinct is to talk more, talk faster, push harder. Matt Abrahams says do the opposite. His move for the moment of pushback - Pace, Space, Grace: Slow the pace. You're probably going too fast. Create space. Ask questions and let them talk. Offer grace.…
Save this for your next big conversation. 3 structures Matt Abrahams uses to communicate with impact: 1️⃣ Presenting a solution? Problem–Solution–Benefit 2️⃣ Conveying relevance? What? / So What? / Now What? 3️⃣ Informing or educating? Compare–Contrast–Choose Pick the structure that fits your goal, and your message practically organizes itself. Check…
Do you know how to present a pitch effectively? In this video, Matt Abrahams discusses the process, preparation, and structure of a perfect presentation with Guy Kawasaki, Chief Design Evangelist at Canva. Watch until the end for detailed insights into: • Storytelling Skills: How To Tell a Story in Conversation…
When it comes to crisis communication, the instinct is often to respond immediately. But effective crisis management requires a more disciplined approach. In this conversation with Kim Storin during the Think Fast, Talk Smart Podcast, hosted by Matt Abrahams, we explore how to handle crisis situations by balancing speed with…
Why is giving back to the community so important? For Kim Storin, it begins with a simple belief: service is a virtue, and we have a responsibility to treat others the way we hope to be treated ourselves. In this conversation, we explore why charity is important and why meaningful…
What can leaders, brands, and communicators learn from Taylor Swift? Far more than how to build a fanbase. Her success offers a powerful lesson in communication strategy, audience trust, and consumer-driven marketing strategy. In this conversation of the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast, Kim Storin tells us why Taylor Swift's…
Zoom became a verb during the pandemic. And that turned into one of the biggest branding problems the company ever faced. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams sits down with Kim Storin, Chief Marketing Officer at Zoom. Kim oversees brand marketing and communications for one of…
Not everyone hears feedback the same way. David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass learned this while working with 300+ world-class experts: creatives need high-level observations. Tell them, "My attention started to wane here," and let them solve it. But product and marketing folks? They need specifics. "This page isn't…
Verbal Communication danger zones are often overlooked when speaking about communication. Are your words sterile or accidentally negative? Using sterile words for communication can often lead a good conversation astray. Negative communication can weaken even the strongest message, often without us realizing it. In this conversation featuring Vanessa Van Edwards…
The greats don't coast. They obsess. David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass spoke with 300 world-class instructors, and they all have one thing in common. Every single one kept asking how to get better, even after they'd already "made it." That's not the exception. That's why they're the best.…
The world's best don't reach the top and stop learning—they keep refining their craft. David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass, has spent years sitting across from elite performers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs—and he’s discovered that excellence is less about talent than a relentless commitment to growth. In this episode…
"I was raised with the Golden Rule. And it got me in trouble." Vanessa Van Edwards on why "treat others as you'd want to be treated" can quietly keep you self-focused, especially at work, especially under pressure. Her fix: the Platinum Rule. Treat people as THEY want to be treated.…
Neural mapping plays a powerful role in communication because the words you choose can trigger existing mental associations in your audience. In this conversation featuring Vanessa Van Edwards on the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast hosted by Matt Abrahams, the discussion explores how communicators can intentionally activate neural mapping by…
The Platinum Rule is a powerful communication principle that encourages you to communicate the way others prefer to be communicated with, rather than treating everyone the way you would like to be treated. In this conversation featuring Vanessa Van Edwards on the Think Fast Talk Smart podcast hosted by Matt…
POV: you're about to present and your hands just... vanish into your pockets. That's under-signaling, and according to Vanessa Van Edwards, it's your brain's natural response to fear, not a personality flaw. The opposite extreme (over-nodding, over-gesturing) isn't the fix either. The real move? Purposeful movement. Are you an over-signaler…