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  • Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

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Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

by Matt Abrahams (Author) Format: Hardcover
4.5 out of 5 stars (1,522)
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Communicate like a pro when you're on the spot— at team meetings, job interviews, sales calls, social events, networking meetups, and more. Now revised and updated with insights on presence in the age of AI.

“A road map to mastering the art of thinking quickly and speaking confidently, this is the perfect book for…anyone else who talks.” —Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of The Power of Habit, Smarter Faster Better and Supercommunicators

Formal presentations can be stressful. But there’s another, much more common type of communication that is even harder to manage: spontaneous situations in which people ask us unexpectedly to stand up and contribute our thoughts—without a script. In these moments, we don’t always know what to say. All too often, we freeze up or stammer out a cringeworthy response and walk away wishing for a do-over. Sure, some people naturally have the gift of gab, but how can the rest of us learn to be calmer and more eloquent in the moment?

Stanford lecturer, award-winning podcast host, and communication expert Matt Abrahams provides powerful, life-changing strategies for conveying your ideas on the fly. Think Faster, Talk Smarter explores how to connect with any audience, respond to the mood of the room, structure your thoughts for maximum impact, make your content concise and memorable, and more. Abrahams also shares best practices for everyday speaking, including delivering killer pitches, providing helpful feedback, making small talk, and fixing mistakes, as well as practical skills that make social interactions feel effortless. With a new chapter on AI and tactics for using it as an accelerator rather than a crutch, Abrahams reveals how to project a distinctly human presence that builds trust and sets you apart in critical conversations.

Think Faster, Talk Smarter cracks the code on impromptu speaking with seven simple steps for mastery:
• Taming anxiety
• Celebrating mediocrity
• Reframing priorities
• Deepening listening
• Structuring spontaneity
• Sharpening your focus
• Projecting your presence

Whether you’re dealing with your boss asking you an unex­pected question during a high-stakes meeting, a chance encounter with a love interest, or all eyes turning to you at a dinner party, you’ll know how to navigate with confidence and bring out your very best. Packed with actionable tips and exercises, Think Faster, Talk Smarter will help you become more comfortable, authentic, and compelling in spontaneous situations—so that your next big moment in the spotlight can be one of your best.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Simon Element / Simon Acumen
  4. Publication date
    September 26, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1668010305
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1668010303
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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An important part of leadership is being able to communicate effectively. People are frequently in meetings with others where they need to persuade those others. Being able to think on one's feet and make a positive impression through what we say is essential. I highly recommend Abrahams' book."—Jeffrey Pfeffer, Stanford GSB Professor and author of The 7 Rules of Power

"Getting to sit in a classroom with Matt you quickly see why his course is one of the most popular on campus. It's a mini laboratory with constant experiments being conducted by students to see what works and what doesn't for each of them. And you're in luck... he's boiled down years of classes, thousands of hours of these experiments and created a clear, actionable six-step methodology with a set of frameworks for spontaneous situations to help anyone become more confident speaking in the moment. This is a must read for anyone who has to speak in public. Well that's everyone. So just do yourself a favor and get the book already."

—Anthony Veneziale, Co-Founder Freestyle Love Supreme and freestyle+, TED Speaker, Grammy Nominee and Tony Award Winner

“You can learn to navigate nearly any conversation with Think Faster, Talk Smarter. This concise guide offers science-based strategies for managing anxiety and delivering impactful, impromptu responses in any situation, from job interviews to those questions you get at the most unexpected moments. Abrahams' real-life examples and actionable tips provide a roadmap to mastering the art of thinking quickly and speaking confidently, and this is the perfect book for professionals, teachers, parents - or anyone else who talks.”

—Charles Duhigg, best-selling author of The Power of Habit, Smarter Faster Better and Supercommunicators

"Matt Abrahams has a gift for making complex concepts easy to understand and simple to enact. If you’ve ever struggled to summon the right words at the right time, this book is an essential read.” —Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of To Sell is Human, Drive, and The Power of Regret

“Think Faster, Talk Smarter is just the book you need to improve at spontaneous speaking. Grounded in careful research and informed by Abrahams' many years teaching communication skills to Stanford MBAs, this book is filled with useful advice.” —Katy Milkman author of How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be and Choiceology podcast host

“We read the book and now we're furiously fast, shockingly smart. Matt blends wit with wisdom, science-backed strategies with actionable insights, empowering us all to communicate with greater confidence and connection. Plus, it's a joy to read.” —Jennifer Aacker and Naomi Bagdonas, authors of Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And how anyone can harness it. Even you.)

"Matt’s understanding of human interaction is exceptional. His tools for thinking quickly and speaking clearly are indispensable for anyone, even in our modern texting world. His easy-to-understand approach helps anyone to become a better “in-the-moment” communicator." —Tony Fadell, Nest founder, iPod inventor, New York Times Bestselling Author of Build

"Matt's ideas and insights in Think Faster, Talk Smarter are priceless. I spent my life working in front of a television camera but would get nervous speaking in front of a live crowd. That would shock people since millions saw me every day – but of course, I didn’t see them. It took me years to conquer my nerves and feel comfortable and confident speaking in front of a live audience. Matt makes it easy with his focus on the connection over perfection. His specific examples in the book provide a clear roadmap to help you be your best self when under pressure." —Joan Lunden, Journalist, Author, Keynote Speaker, and Television Host

"Think Faster, Talk Smarter serves as a gold standard for communication best practices. Matt’s six step approach to speaking confidently and clearly in spontaneous situations helps calm the nervous system so you can focus on what matters: creating connection with those around you and responding in the moment. If you struggle with any type of communication, this book is for you." —David Eagleman, Neuroscientist, Author, Technologist, Entrepreneur, and host of the "Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman" podcast

"With this enormously practical book, Matt Abrahams demonstrates why he is the world's go-to communication coach. His ideas for spontaneous speaking will help you build trust, influence your organization, and empower everyone around you." —Frances Frei author of Unleashed and Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader’s Guide to Solving Hard Problems and host of The Fixable podcast.

About the Author

Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. He received Stanford GSB’s Alumni Teaching Award in recognition of his teaching students around the world. When he isn’t teaching, Matt is a sought-after keynote speaker and communication consultant. He has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered IPO road shows as well as TED, World Economic Forum, and Nobel Prize presentations. His online talks garner millions of views and he hosts the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast. His previous book Speaking Up without Freaking Out: 50 Techniques for Confident and Compelling Presenting has helped thousands of people manage speaking anxiety and present more confidently and authentically.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon Element / Simon Acumen
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 26, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1668010305
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1668010303
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #22,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars (1,522)

About the author

Follow authors for new release and deal updates, plus improved recommendations. See updates from all followed authors in Your Books.
Matt Abrahams

Matt Abrahams

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. He received Stanford GSB’s Alumni Teaching Award in recognition of his teaching students around the world. Outside of the classroom, Matt is a sought-after keynote speaker and communication consultant. He has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered IPO road shows as well as Nobel Prize, TED, and World Economic Forum presentations. His online talks garner millions of views and he hosts the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast. His new book Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot provides tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers succeed when speaking spontaneously, such as navigating Q&A sessions, shining in job interviews, providing effective feedback, making small talk, fixing faux pas, persuading others. His previous book Speaking Up without Freaking Out: 50 Techniques for Confident and Compelling Presenting has helped thousands of people manage speaking anxiety and present more confidently and authentically.