How to speak more confidently and persuasively | Matt Abrahams (professor, podcast host, author, speaker)
Brought to you by: • Sprig—Build a product people love — 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:
Some takeaways:
Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Overcast, and YouTube. Find the transcript at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-speak-more-confidently-and 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 Where to find Lenny: • Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com • X: https://twitter.com/lennysan • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/ 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 Referenced: • Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/think-fast-talk-smart-podcast • Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Faster-Talk-Smarter-Successfully/dp/1668010305/ • Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: 50 Techniques for Confident and Compelling Presenting: https://www.amazon.com/Speaking-without-Freaking-Out-Techniques/dp/1465290478 • Interpersonal Dynamics for High-Performance Executives at Stanford University: https://grow.stanford.edu/browse/interpersonal-dynamics-for-high-performance-executives • Carole Robin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-robin/ • David Bradford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bradford-5531185a/ • Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues: https://www.amazon.com/Connect-Building-Exceptional-Relationships-Colleagues/dp/0241986869 • TEDxConcordia—Lenny Rachitsky—Losing Serendipity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p0VK_-BoJI • TEDxPaloAlto—Matt Abrahams—Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: https://www.ted.com/talks/matt_abrahams_speaking_up_without_freaking_out • Alison Wood Brooks on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-wood-brooks-ph-d-7b98b826/ • The Artist’s Way course: https://juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way/ • Managing nerves, anxiety, and burnout | Jonny Miller (Nervous System Mastery): https://www.lennyspodcast.com/managing-nerves-anxiety-and-burnout-jonny-miller-nervous-system-mastery/ • Dynamic Field Theory as a Framework for Understanding Embodied Cognition: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/embodied-cognition • Study Links Warm Hands, Warm Heart: https://www.npr.org/2008/10/23/96041598/study-links-warm-hands-warm-heart • Longer Exhalations Are an Easy Way to Hack Your Vagus Nerve: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201905/longer-exhalations-are-easy-way-hack-your-vagus-nerve • Breathing Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety | Dr. Andrew Huberman on the Physiological Sigh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSZKIupBUuc • I Slit a Sheet: https://www.grandmasnurseryrhymes.com/Islitasheet.html • The Surprising Health Benefits of Swearing: https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-surprising-health-benefits-of-swearing#1 • 4 Main Elements of PREP!: https://www.ebright.my/post/4-main-elements-of-prep • What? So What? Now What?: https://modelthinkers.com/mental-model/what-so-what-now-what • PSB: Problem, solution, benefit: https://deepstash.com/idea/6799/psb-problem-solution-benefit • Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/ • 7 Research-Backed Benefits of Improv Comedy: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/play-your-way-sane/202303/7-research-backed-benefits-of-improv-comedy • Listen, Listen, Listen: How to Build Deep Connections: https://nofreakingspeaking.com/blog/listen-listen-listen-how-to-build-deep-connections/ • How to Win Friends & Influence People: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034 • Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Candor-Revised-Kick-Ass-Humanity/dp/1250235375 • Radical Candor: From theory to practice with author Kim Scott: https://www.lennyspodcast.com/radical-candor-from-theory-to-practice-with-author-kim-scott/ • Minimum viable product (MVP): https://www.atlassian.com/agile/product-management/minimum-viable-product • How to tell better stories | Matthew Dicks (Storyworthy): https://www.lennyspodcast.com/how-to-tell-better-stories-matthew-dicks-storyworthy/ Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com. Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. Invite your friends and earn rewardsIf you enjoy Lenny's Newsletter, share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe. |
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