Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

• 213. Rethinks: Building Trusting Relationships Through Communication

  How to turn doubt and suspicion into hopefulness and trust.There’s a lot in the world to make us cynical about other people and their motives and intentions. But by “trusting loudly,” Professor Jamil Zaki believes we can renew our faith in one another.Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford, director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience lab, and author of several books, including his most recent, Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness. While many people feel suspicious of others and are reluctant to trust them, Zaki finds that relying on other people is a necessary part of forming relationships.“Acts of trust are the bedrock on which relationships are formed,” Zaki says. “The only way that strangers become friends and friends become best friends, the only way that we can build partnerships is through a willingness to count on one another.”In this Rethinks episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Zaki joins host Matt Abrahams to discuss practical strategies for fostering trust and challenging our cynical assumptions, offering a hopeful perspective on human nature, backed by surprising scientific insights.Episode Reference Links:Jamil ZakiJamil’s Lab: Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab Jamil’s Book: Hope for CynicsEp.158 Hope for Cynics: Building Trusting Relationships through Communication Ep.84 Quick Thinks: How Others Define UsEp.129 Connect Deeply: How to Communicate So People Feel Seen and Heard Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (03:26) - Defining Trust and Its Importance (04:17) - Building Better Trust (05:48) - Understanding Cynicism (08:10) - The Cynicism Spectrum (10:30) - Fostering Hopeful Skepticism (12:44) - Challenges of Overcoming Cynicism (14:36) - Positive Gossip and Positive Noticing (17:34) - Self-Fulfilling Prophecies (20:30) - The Final Three Questions (29:13) - Conclusion  ********This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.    

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• 212. Break It to Make It: Disrupt Your Way to the Perfect Job Fit

  Career growth starts with stepping outside your comfort zone.Building a successful career isn’t about following a set path—it’s about knowing when to evolve and embracing change. Whitney Johnson believes that success comes from disrupting yourself—challenging routines, stepping into discomfort, and continuously evolving. “People think staying in their comfort zone is the safe choice,” she explains, “but real growth happens when we take intentional risks.”As a bestselling author and leadership expert, Johnson has spent years helping individuals and organizations navigate change. She breaks down the S-curve of learning, a framework that helps professionals recognize when it’s time to move on, pivot, or double down on their current path. From identifying signs of stagnation to developing strategies for career reinvention, she shares practical tools for making bold moves with confidence.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Johnson joins host Matt Abrahams to explore why mastery can be a sign that it’s time for a change, how to manage the discomfort that comes with growth, and why personal disruption isn’t just a challenge—it’s the key to long-term success.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premiumEpisode Reference Links:Whitney JohnsonWhitney’s Books: Disrupt Yourself / Smart GrowthEp.147 Disrupt Yourself: How to Innovate Who You Are and Become Who You Can Be  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:09) - What Is Personal Disruption? (05:14) - Signs It’s Time to Disrupt Yourself (07:36) - Getting Comfortable with Discomfort (12:33) - Finding Your Next Career Move (16:22) - Ensuring Fulfillment After Disruption (21:37) - Best Career Advice Received (23:10) - Career Regrets & Lessons (24:41) - Conclusion *****This Episode is sponsored by Stanford. Stay Informed on Stanford's world changing research by signing up for the Stanford ReportSupport Think Fast Talk Smart by joining TFTS Premium.        

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• 211. Small Screens, Strong Signals: Mastering Modern Communication

  In the age of virtual communication, here’s how to ensure your messages convey what you mean.Texts. Emails. Slacks. Zooms. We’re communicating in more ways than ever, but Andrew Brodsky has a word of warning: Your virtual communication might be sending messages you’re not aware of.Brodsky is the author of PING: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication. And as a professor of management at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, he researches the impact of technology on workplace communication. “In virtual communication, there's often missing information,” he says. “As recipients of it, we're searching to fill in the gaps. The problem [is] that the recipient who's making these guesses is often guessing incorrectly.” As his research reveals, variables like typos, the time you schedule a meeting, and even your choice of email signature affect how your messages are received — and how you’re perceived.In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, host Matt Abrahams and Brodsky explore his PING framework (perspective-taking, initiative, nonverbal awareness, and goals) for mastering digital communication. From understanding when to choose email over a phone call to navigating cameras-on versus cameras-off meetings, he offers practical strategies for ensuring your virtual messages communicate exactly what you intend.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premiumEpisode Reference Links:Andrew BrodskyAndrew’s Book: PingEp.31 Quick Thinks: How to Shine Online and Excel at Virtual Communication Ep.53 Step Up and Stand Out: How to Create the Right Environment for Communication  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (01:09) - What Is Virtual Communication? (01:55) - Choosing the Right Channel for Your Goal (04:40) - The Ping Framework: Secrets to Virtual Communication (08:36) - Understanding Communication Richness (11:38) - Nonverbals in Virtual Communication (15:22) - The Final Three Question (22:32) - Conclusion   ********This Episode is brought to you by Strawberry.me. Get $50 off coaching today at Strawberry.me/smartBecome a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.   

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• 210. First Impression to Lasting Impact: Use Status Strategically

  Career success takes a status boost, not a power grab.How do you chart the career course you’ve always imagined? According to Alison Fragale, it’s about gaining influence through status, power, and ultimately, being “a likeable badass.”As a research psychologist, professor, speaker, and author, Fragale is on a mission to help women take control of their careers. In her book Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, she argues that most people have it backwards when pursuing career advancement. "We have talked for a long time [about] getting more power," she explains. However, by focusing first on achieving status (how respected we are), power will often come as a natural byproduct. "If you pursue status before, or at least alongside power, everything is going to fall into place," she says. “Status makes power a lot easier to achieve, and it makes power a lot easier to use.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, hosted by executive producer Jenny Luna, Fragale explores the communication strategies of a likeable badass, from building warmth and assertiveness to authentically connecting with colleagues. Whether you're building relationships in a new company or have been leading one for years, Fragale’s insights will help you command respect while communicating with kindness.To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premiumEpisode Reference Links:Alison FragaleAlison’s Book: Likeable BadassJenny LunaEp.12 It's Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How To Communicate PowerEp.15 The Art of Negotiation: How to Get More of What You Want  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:21) - Defining Power and Status (05:26) - Why Status Comes Before Power (06:19) - Communication Techniques to Build Status (09:27) - Evaluating Your Habits: Nonverbal and Verbal Cues (11:21) - Mentorship in Developing Communication (13:13) - Adapting to a New Work Culture (18:41) - Representing Difference Without Distance (19:49) - Overcoming Bad First Impressions (21:47) - The Final Three Question (25:32) - Conclusion    *****This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.Support Think Fast Talk Smart by joining TFTS Premium.       

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• 209. Find Your Fit, Find Your Focus - Catalyze Your Career

  How to turn curiosity, clarity, and AI into your most powerful job search tools.Job search isn’t just about landing your next role—it’s about understanding who you are and how you want to show up in the world. According to Andrew Seaman, Senior Managing Editor for Jobs and Career Development at LinkedIn, that process begins with curiosity, not certainty. “People assume they need to apply to dozens of jobs with a perfect résumé,” he explains. “But the best applications are rooted in self-awareness and strategy—not spray-and-pray.”Instead of rushing to the next opportunity, Seaman encourages job seekers to slow down, ask better questions, and prioritize conversations over checklists. From informational interviews to profile updates, clarity is key—knowing what you want and telling a story that shows why you’re the right fit.With tools like LinkedIn’s Job Match and natural-language job search, candidates can now assess how they align with a role—and where they can grow. “It’s not just about being qualified,” Seaman says. “It’s about showing the value you bring.”In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Seaman joins host Matt Abrahams for our Catalyze Your Career miniseries to share how to job search with intention. Using Matt’s “Four I’s” framework—identifying, investigating, initiating contact, and interviewing—they explore how strategic storytelling, thoughtful networking, and AI tools can help you stand out in a crowded market.Episode Reference Links:Andrew SeamanEp.184 Fit or Quit? Find the Job That is Right For You—Catalyze Your CareerEp.187 Experimenting, Failing, and Finding Your Job Fit - Catalyze Your Career  Ep.151 Get Hired: How the Right Communication Can Advance Your Career  Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected] Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (02:05) - What’s Changing in Job Search (03:49) - Identifying Roles with Curiosity (06:49) - Investigating Companies & Roles (08:13) - Initiating Contact Effectively (11:29) - Crafting a Strong Narrative (12:41) - How Job Match Can Help (16:01) - Strategic vs. Shotgun Approach (21:00) - Best Career Advice Received (21:56) - Career Regrets & Lessons (23:25) - Conclusion   ********This episode is sponsored by LinkedIn. Dare to discover what’s next. Explore your job potential at LinkedIn. Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.  

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