From kindergarten through university, teachers always called on Matt Abrahams first because his last name came first alphabetically. This forced him to think on his feet regularly and, over time, shaped him into a master of spontaneous communication. In this episode, Matt shares practical tips for speaking confidently on the spot as an entrepreneur, managing anxiety, and mastering techniques for effective small talk, networking, and negotiation.

In this episode, Hala and Matt will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:35) Why Public Speaking Terrifies Most

(02:31) How We Communicate: Then vs. Now

(05:42) The Key to Navigating Small Talk

(10:04) Embracing Mediocrity to Communicate Like a Pro

(13:25) The 6 Steps to Thinking Faster, Talking Smarter

(15:42) Managing Anxiety in Critical Moments

(25:16) Balancing Active Listening and Sharing

(29:44) Structures for Speaking Spontaneously

(38:22) The Impact of Using Fewer Words

(40:11) Reading the Room and Winning Negotiations

(45:06) Networking with Confidence

(49:20) How Body Language Amplifies Your Message

Matt Abrahams is a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he teaches Strategic Communication and Effective Virtual Presenting. He is the author of Speaking Up Without Freaking Out and Think Faster, Talk Smarter, and hosts the popular Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast. Matt has helped individuals deliver impactful presentations, from IPO roadshows to Nobel Prize speeches, TED Talks, and World Economic Forum sessions. He also consults for the United Nations and advises Fortune 100 companies.

Connect with Matt:

Website: mattabrahams.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maabrahams

TikTok: tiktok.com/@thinkfasttalksmart

Facebook: facebook.com/stanfordgsb

Instagram: instagram.com/stanfordgsb

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