Matt Abrahams
Professor of Communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business
Matt Abrahams is a Stanford professor teaching communication and public speaking, host of the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast, and author of Think Faster and Talk Smarter.
Dimension Profile
Key Themes
Episode Summary
Matt Abrahams shares research-backed techniques for reducing public speaking anxiety and improving spontaneous communication. His core advice centers on striving for connection over perfection, preparing to be spontaneous through practice, and using visualization to desensitize anxiety — skills that become increasingly important as leaders advance in their careers.
Leadership Principles
- → Strive for connection over perfection — dare to be dull to dial down self-evaluation
- → You actually have to prepare to be spontaneous, just like athletes and jazz musicians
- → Visualization desensitizes anxiety — see yourself succeeding before you speak
Notable Quotes
"Strive for connection over perfection by daring to be dull. Just answer the question. Just give the feedback. By doing that, you dial down the volume of self-evaluation."
— His core framework for reducing speaking anxiety
"You actually have to prepare to be spontaneous. That's counterintuitive, but when you think about it in athletics or jazz music, of course you would prepare and practice."
— On why spontaneous communication requires deliberate preparation
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