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My goal for 2025 is to become a better communicator. To this end, I jot down notes while listening to Think Fast Talk Smart: the Podcast on the subway.
On a sudden past-midnight urge to become a better communicator, I went down a rabbit hole of helpful YouTube videos and stumbled upon Matt Abrahams' lecture. 🎧This podcast, hosted by Matt Abrahams along with numerous experts in relevant fields, provides valuable insights and actionable strategies for impactful communication.
My takeaway so far is to be genuine and present in the most sincere way possible.
Speaking Without a Net: How to Master Impromptu Communication (link)
Most communication is spontaneous in nature. These spur-of-the-moment communication events are as important, if not more important, than our high-stakes presentation.
Dare to be dull. Our fear of being seen as unoriginal is one of the most inhibiting fears we carry. Being obvious is the most powerful mantra. When you are trying to be original, you are like everyone trying to be original. When you are being obvious, you are being yourself.
Shoot for average and fail cheerfully. Accepting failure is liberating: We can't get to groundbreaking places if we are protecting ourselves. Allow yourself to discover and be authentic. Don't try to wow others with a false version.
Building comfort in your material is the key to being present-oriented. Being an expert in your material frees you up to be more connected/conversational.
Notice the offers coming from all directions. The person with the most challenging question is the most likely to be your champion. When someone comes with seemingly negative energy, don't answer. Instead, say "tell me more." They may be solving a problem you don't know about. Be present and take the offer. Be a communicator, not a presenter.
Three ingredients for effective communication: Build trust in yourself, Be particular to the room, Have fun
Communicating Our Multiple Selves: How to Effectively Manage Your Reputation (link)
Reputation is the echo that comes before and after.
The 4 Axes of the Trust Rader: expertise, empathy, commitment, transparency. Be strategic about building your reputation.
🔍 Case Study: The Tainted Tylenol
Took a time of disaster and made it a time of triumph. Experts developed new tamper-free packaging (expertise). Put safety first, taking off Tylenol from the shelves and giving full refunds (empathy). The announcements were made by the top CEO (commitment). Admitted that they did not know what was going on, but will take action for safety (transparency).
Match warmth and confidence. Be aware of how you are coming off on people. Be careful not to be on either extremes.
Things happen. Don't let what happens define you. Let how you choose to deal with it define you.
Three ingredients for effective communication: aim your audience, intent, and message.
When Knowing Too Much Can Hurt Your Communication: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible (link)
Be audience-centric and concise!
What does your audience care about most?
🔍 Case Study: iPod's 5GB Memory
"A thousand songs in your pocket" versus "5GB memory"
"Tell me the time, don't build me the clock." Help the audience reach the bottom line earlier, especially when the information is complex! Frequent mistake: providing more information than needed.
Strategies for making data accessible:
First and foremost, understand your audience.
Connect, then lead. Use analogies and emotions to connect before diving into complex material.
Chunking: "Rule of Three" - Cluster similar ideas into 3 clusters.
Make data relatable and contextualize.
Three ingredients for effective communication: Ask yourself (1) Who is the audience? (2) What is my message? (3) How can I bring my message to life?
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