Stanford experts answer live questions on leadership, authenticity, and communication.

What happens when four top Stanford thinkers take live questions from a room full of leaders? In Part 2 of this special Think Fast, Talk Smart series from the Stanford LEAD Me2We Conference, Matt Abrahams and his panel of expert GSB faculty—Allison Kluger, Naomi Bagdonas, Christian Wheeler, and Nir Halevy—answer questions from a live audience. They cover real-world challenges around leadership, authenticity, psychological safety, and managing your reputation in complex environments. With honest reflections and actionable advice, their answers offer a candid look at what it takes to lead with intention while staying true to yourself.

Episode Reference Links:

• Allison Kluger
• Book Allison Contributed to: Brand Up
• Naomi Bagdonas
• Nir Halevy
• Christian Wheeler
• Ep.2 Communicating Our Multiple Selves: How to Effectively Manage Your Reputation
• Ep.13 Make ’Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your Communication
• Ep.30 Dissolve Disagreements: How Communication Impacts Conflict
• Ep.18 Managing in the Moment: How to Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:16) - Bridging Political Divides
• (05:29) - Navigating Confidence and Context
• (07:34) - Rethinking Leadership and Reputation
• (12:18) - Conclusion

*****
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Effective leadership begins with the way you communicate.

Leading with impact isn’t about speaking louder—it’s about communicating in ways that resonate with what people already value. In Part 1 of this special two-part series from the Stanford LEAD Me2We Conference, Matt Abrahams brings together four expert GSB faculty—Allison Kluger, Nir Halevy, Christian Wheeler, and Naomi Bagdonas—to explore how to lead and communicate with intention. They share how authenticity builds trust, why discomfort is essential for growth, how to design space for serendipity, and the role AI can play in expanding—not replacing—human potential. From managing reputation to staying present in high-pressure moments, this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart offers insights to help leaders connect more effectively, show up with purpose, and inspire meaningful action.

Episode Reference Links:

• Allison Kluger
• Book Allison Contributed to: Brand Up
• Naomi Bagdonas
• Nir Halevy
• Christian Wheeler
• Ep.2 Communicating Our Multiple Selves: How to Effectively Manage Your Reputation
• Ep.13 Make ’Em Laugh: How to Use Humor as a Secret Weapon in Your Communication
• Ep.30 Dissolve Disagreements: How Communication Impacts Conflict
• Ep.18 Managing in the Moment: How to Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (03:33) - Managing Reputation and Authentic Communication
• (05:35) - Leadership Pluralism and Team Culture
• (07:35) - Discomfort, Growth, and Distraction
• (11:59) - Guiding Principles and the Serendipity Fund
• (14:34) - Using AI in Teaching and Research
• (21:55) - Fixing Hierarchies with CPR
• (23:50) - Authenticity, Humor Styles, and Human Flourishing
• (26:39) - Executive Presence and Owning the Room
• (29:28) - Writing Better Titles and Facilitating Interactions
• (31:21) - Conclusion

*****
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Turn Q&A from nerve-wracking to confidence-boosting with strategies for clear, controlled answers.

A great presentation doesn’t end with the final slide—it continues through the Q&A, where real engagement happens. Yet, for many speakers, this is the most nerve-wracking part. In this episode, Matt Abrahams explores why Q&A can feel intimidating and how shifting your mindset can turn it into an opportunity rather than a challenge. Drawing from his book, Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, he shares expert-backed techniques for structuring responses, managing audience expectations, and maintaining composure under pressure. Whether you're facing a tough crowd or just want to refine your speaking skills, you’ll walk away with the confidence to command the room—no matter the question.

Audio excerpt based on Speaking Up without Freaking Out by Matt Abrahams (printed book by Kendall Hunt Publishing 2016), read by the author. Copyright 2024 by Matthew Abrahams LLC.

Episode Reference Links:

• Speaking Up Without Freaking Out | Audio Book
• Speaking Up Without Freaking Out

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:04) - The Challenge of Q&A
• (03:02) - Preparing for Q&A in Advance
• (03:42) - When to Take Questions
• (04:31) - How to Ask for Questions Effectively
• (05:34) - Audience Anxiety in Q&A
• (06:49) - Managing Questions Efficiently
• (07:50) - Answering Questions with Confidence
• (09:03) - The ADD Method for Answering Questions
• (10:16) - Closing Your Q&A with Impact
• (11:10) - Conclusion

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How to craft compelling stories that captivate, inspire, and make an impact.

Great storytelling isn't just about telling tales—it’s about crafting experiences that captivate, inspire, and drive change. In this special Quick Thinks bonus episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams welcomes bestselling author Dan Heath for a masterclass on the power of stories.
Dan breaks down the elements of an impactful story, sharing a case study from his book Reset, outlining how to find compelling stories that connect with audiences, the structure of engaging narratives that keep people hooked, and the power of analogies and unexpected contrasts in storytelling.

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Episode Reference Links:

• Dan Heath
• Dan’s Books: Reset: How to Change What's Not Working
• Ep.190 Motivation Matters: How to Leverage What People Already Want
• Ep.170 Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 1
• Ep.171 Advice from Nontraditional Storytellers Part 2

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:45) - A Story About Change: The Hospital Case Study
• (03:53) - Breaking Down the Elements of a Great Story
• (06:25) - Finding the Right Stories
• (08:11) - Crafting Stories with Purpose
• (09:44) - Conclusion

********
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Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15
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How to craft communication that your audience will remember.

Why do some messages stick, while others go in one ear and out the other? When it comes to crafting memorable communication, Ada Aka says not all verbiage is created equal.

“Certain words are intrinsically more memorable than others,” says Aka, an assistant professor of marketing at Stanford Graduate School of Business. In her research of consumer behavior and decision-making, she’s uncovered how language shapes not just our perception of the world, “but how the world stays with us over time." From concrete terms to emotionally charged ones, certain words have more staying power than others, and to communicators who want to capture audiences (and keep them), she says, “Carefully chosen words, they're going to be taking the attention.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Aka joins Matt Abrahams to explore the science of memorable communication. From creating brand slogans that stick to choosing words that align with your message, she reveals how to create communication that won't be forgotten.

Episode Reference Links:

• Ada Aka
• Ep.80 Magic Words: Change What You Say to Inspire and Influence Others

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:05) - The Power of Words in Memory
• (03:45) - What Makes Words Memorable?
• (06:04) - Informal and Conversational Language
• (07:38) - AI & Memory
• (09:34) - Memorable Slogans
• (11:26) - Predicting Memorability: Why We Get It Wrong
• (13:15) - Framing in Communication
• (15:24) - Creating Meaningful Interactions
• (17:34) - The Final Three Questions
• (22:21) - Conclusion

********
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Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15
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How to turn latent motivation into fuel for change.

If you want to be a changemaker, you’ll have to convince others to join your cause. But according to Dan Heath, persuading your audience isn’t about creating new motivation — it’s about leveraging the motivation that’s already there.

“The most important fuel for any change effort is motivation,” says Heath, the number-one New York Times bestselling author of Reset: How to Change What's Not Working. Instead of struggling to persuade people to want what you want, Heath suggests finding where your goals overlap with the things they already desire. "Before you even get to persuasion, if you can just tap and unleash the energy that's already there, you've already catapulted yourself toward success,” he says.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Heath and host Matt Abrahams explore how to create more compelling communication using “leverage points,” or as Heath says, “where a little bit of effort yields a disproportionate return.” Whether getting buy-in from one teammate or achieving change across an entire organization, Heath shares practical tips for turning latent motivation into an engine for change.

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Episode Reference Links:

• Dan Heath
• Dan’s Book: Reset: How to Change What's Not Working
• Ep.164 Rethinks: Using "Pre-suasion" to Influence Others
• Ep.49 Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:14) - The Power of Storytelling
• (05:24) - Leverage Points for Change
• (08:47) - Wasted Resources & Motivation
• (12:00) - Latent Desire in Systems
• (14:08) - Communicating Progress
• (17:45) - The Final Three Questions
• (24:28) - Conclusion

********
This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Download Grammarly for free today
Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15
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Why numbers are only as compelling as the narratives we attach to them.

Facts and figures can be your friend, but before you load your presentation full of data, Miro Kazakoff has a word of caution: “Data’s objective, but people are not.”

You might think that your data speaks for itself, but Kazakoff says numbers need a narrative. A senior lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management and author of Persuading with Data: A Guide to Designing, Delivering, and Defending Your Data, he says the key to making data persuasive isn't about showing more information — it's about understanding your audience well enough to know how to relay it in a way that will connect with them. "The people who get good at this are not so much the people who can talk and draw graphs well, but the people who can listen the best. It starts with is empathy.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kazakoff joins Matt Abrahams to explore how to transform complex data into clear, compelling communication. From avoiding the "curse of knowledge" to effectively orienting your audience through visualizations, he shares practical strategies for making your data not just informative, but persuasive.

Episode Reference Links:

• Miro Kazakoff
• Miro’s Book: Persuading with Data
• Ep.49 Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:14) - How to Use Data Persuasively
• (04:01) - The Curse of Knowledge in Data Communication
• (06:26) - The Best Way to Present Data Visually
• (08:41) - The Role of Context in Making Data Meaningful
• (10:53) - Orienting Your Audience When Presenting Data
• (13:29) - Storytelling in Data Communication
• (15:30) - The Final Three Questions
• (20:29) - Conclusion

********
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Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15
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How to really know what your audience is thinking.

To be a great communicator, you have to get out of your own head. But that’s not all, says Matt Lieberman. According to him, you also have to get into the head of someone else.

“Mind-reading is this remarkable ability that humans have,” explains Lieberman, a professor of psychology, director of UCLA’s Social Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, and author of Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect. But even as we engage in perspective-taking, Lieberman says our attempts to mind-read often miss the mark. Instead, he advocates for “perspective-getting” — where we don’t just intuit what others think, we ask them directly. “That is where more productive conversation comes from,” he says.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lieberman and host Matt Abrahams explore insights from social neuroscience that can help us communicate more effectively. From understanding how our brains process social interactions to recognizing our own assumptions, he reveals why successful communication requires both humility and genuine curiosity about how others see the world.

Episode Reference Links:

• Matt Lieberman
• Matt’s Book: Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect
• Ep.24 Feelings First: How Emotion Shapes Our Communication, Decisions, and Experiences
• Ep.39 Brains Love Stories: How Leveraging Neuroscience Can Capture People's Emotions

Connect:

• Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
• Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
• Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
• Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
• Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:14) - The Social Brain
• (05:15) - Neuroscience in Business
• (07:14) - The Science of Persuasion
• (11:46) - Social Pain & Connection
• (15:04) - Tackling Loneliness
• (17:56) - The Final Three Questions
• (24:01) - Conclusion

********
This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. Explore your job potential at Linkedin.com/jobs.
Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15
Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.