Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Real change isn’t about knowing what to do — it’s about actually doing it, one small choice at a time.Change doesn’t come from one big breakthrough. It comes from the small choices we make ov...

The goals we set often lead us away from the meaning we ultimately seek.Meaning in life isn’t a concrete point we can route toward. That’s why we need what Arthur Brooks calls “proxy goals” —...

Why mastering unspoken workplace communication is essential to long-term career success.Succeeding at work doesn’t just depend on how hard you work or how smart you are. According to Erin McG...

How to communicate for deeper connection—and greater happiness.Happiness isn’t just a feeling—it’s something you can actively shape through how you think, connect, and communicate.Sonja Lyubo...

Memorable communication isn’t about saying more—it’s making the right idea stick. No matter how compelling a presentation feels in the moment, most of what you say won’t last in your audience...

People are forgetful. Here’s how to make your messages more memorable.After any presentation, your audience will forget about 90% of what you said. That’s okay, says Carmen Simon — just make ...

The secret to building habits that stick.Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. “Habits are easier to form than most people think,” he says, “I...

Why beliefs can either cap our potential or push us toward possibility.What you believe about yourself could be holding you back. Fortunately, Nir Eyal says beliefs aren’t truths — and you ca...

Practical insights to help you communicate with more intention in everyday moments.What’s the difference between reacting and responding? How do you move from memorizing your words to truly c...

How to communicate who you are online.You may not think of yourself as a content creator, but in the creator economy, Angèle Christin says we all have to learn how to communicate who we are o...

Why being true to yourself enables you to show up better for others.From the way you communicate, to the way you build your life and career, Graham Weaver, MBA ’99, says it’s about “giving yo...

How to turn down the chatter of negative self-talk.If you want to have better conversations with others, Ethan Kross says you first have to quiet down the chatter in your own head.A professor...

How to turn complexity into connection through clear communication.Communication in high-stakes moments isn’t about saying more — it’s about connecting better. For Jonathan Berek and Phil Pol...

Why curiosity is the best way to start a conversation.No matter how wide political, cultural, and generational divides seem to grow, Fareed Zakaria is convinced: communication has the power t...

Why clarity and authenticity matter more than ever in modern communication.Clear communication in the age of likes, LLMs, and constant noise isn’t about talking more. For Nick Thompson, it’s ...

How to tap the full power of your voice.Being present in communication isn’t just mental. It’s about the physical energy you bring into a space — particularly, says Patsy Rodenburg, the prese...

How to design meetings with purpose so they actually move work forward.Meetings are a necessary part of work. But for many people, they’re also a major source of frustration. According to Reb...

Why your best life isn’t about having the right answers, but about asking the right questions.Finding meaning and purpose in life isn’t about having all the answers. For Bill Burnett and Dave...

How “spaciousness” helps teams move beyond busywork — and build the conditions for honest conversation.“We’re just so busy right now” is one of the most common reasons cultures don’t change —...

Why it’s critical to say what needs to be said — and listen when others do the same.Speak out, listen up — these are Megan Reitz’s core pillars of workplace communication. According to her, h...

Why it’s not about being born a great communicator, but becoming one.The greatest communicators aren’t always great from the start. As Lerone Martin knows, even the great Martin Luther King J...

Why being kind is the best investment.Can kindness be a company’s competitive advantage? Bonnie Hayden Cheng says yes — and she’s got a business metric to prove it: return on kindness.Cheng i...

The keys to communicating clarity, not confusion.What separates communicators who clarify from those who confuse? The ability to “Simplify complexity,” says Adam Bryant. “I don't think you ca...

How to have more open conversations about money.Talking about money is taboo for many people. But according to Wendy De La Rosa, financial well-being only starts when we break the silence aro...

Our 10 favorite communication insights from 2025.The most transformative communication insights are the ones we actually remember to use. That’s why host Matt Abrahams is taking stock of his ...

Presenting complex information for your audience to understand.As communicators, we often need to take complex information (e.g., financial, technical, or scientific) and make it more underst...

Why good communication requires presence, not performance.Effective communication isn't about perfecting your performance. According to Dr. Kate Mason, it's about being powerfully present.Mas...

Celebrate our 250th episode with expert strategies that make tough conversations easier — and more meaningful.Some of the most meaningful shifts in how we communicate come from the moments th...

The right rituals—and the right conversations—can transform how your team collaborates.Strong collaboration starts with thoughtful practices and clear communication. As Molly Sands, Head of t...

The secret to effective teamwork and collaboration.To collaborate, we have to communicate. As Molly Sands knows, “The more that we can get on the same page, the more effective we are.”Sands i...

Two new Think Fast Talk Smart AI tools put communication skills to the test in real time.Technology promises many things, but few experiments illustrate its potential more vividly than a coac...

Why good communication is the key to good communities.Community and communication go hand-in-hand. For Sandy Pentland, the culture and cohesion of any group “has to do with the stories [peopl...

Why community is the most powerful tool for transformation.Community isn't just a feel-good buzzword. According to Gina Bianchini, it's a catalyst for personal and collective transformation.B...

Reduce speaking anxiety and achieve your communication goals.“There’s no difference between the physiological response to something that you’re excited about and something that you’re nervous...

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Sometimes the best way to explain an idea is to show it. That’s why Loom was built — to make communication more visual, a...

How to unlock the power of groups through collective communication.They say teamwork makes the dream work. But as Colin Fisher knows, unlocking the power of groups requires a specific kind of...

How to identify and rewrite the limiting beliefs holding you back.Achieving what you want in life doesn’t just hinge on what you believe about your future. According to Muriel Wilkins, it has...

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Meetings are where collaboration happens — but too often, scheduling them feels like the biggest barrier to meaningful co...

When we truly listen, every conversation changes — including the one with ourselves.Listening isn’t about waiting for your turn to speak — it’s about being present enough to truly hear. In a ...

Why we learn the most when we accept that we might be wrong.Effective communication isn’t about having all the answers. As Astro Teller knows, it’s about finding (and sometimes fumbling) your...

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Staying on top of communication starts with staying in control of your inbox. That’s why Rahul Vohra, founder and CEO of ...

The road to mastery is paved with small improvements every day.Communicating can feel daunting at times. What does it take to find your voice in the moments that matter most? As Chiney Ogwumi...

When it comes to leading a team, there’s no such thing as too much information.Good leadership is about good communication. And for General Stanley McChrystal, that means creating a culture o...

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Clarity is the cornerstone of great communication—but turning your thoughts into words isn’t always simple. That’s why Gr...

To connect with others, you have to get out of your own head.Whether presenting to millions on live television or talking to just one person, Dan Harris knows that the quality of every intera...

Why what isn’t said can communicate more than what is spoken.We often speak in hints and half-truths, not because we can’t be direct, but because subtlety protects our relationships. “An awfu...

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Clear communication isn’t just about sharing information — it’s about making ideas stick. That’s why Yuhki Yamashita, Chi...

To celebrate its second anniversary, we revisit our favourite tools and tips from Matt’s book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter.Original executive producer Jenny Luna turns the tables and interview...

Be ready, stay grounded, and communicate clearly — no matter what’s at stake.Communicating under pressure isn’t just a useful skill — it can be the difference between escalation and resolutio...

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Great communication isn’t just about what you say — it’s about what your audience remembers. That’s why Jim Szafranski, C...