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Think Faster, Talk Smarter

How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot

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About this listen

Read by the author.

Stanford lecturer and host of the #1 business podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart, Matt Abrahams, reveals the secrets to finding the right words when it counts.


Communication is crucial to success in life and business. However, it is not just big speeches that matter: it is also those critical, spur-of-the-moment situations for which we cannot prepare.

A prospective client asking unexpected questions during a sales pitch, a teacher singling you out for an answer during a class, a high-pressure meeting with senior executives at work, or even a heartwarming toast to deliver on the spot. All are fraught scenarios that might cause you to freeze up. The pandemic has only boosted this fear, by stripping the spontaneity from communication during lockdown, and then changing the communication landscape.

In this invaluable guide, Matt Abrahams provides a six-point methodology that will enable you to cut through the anxiety arising from these stressful, impromptu circumstances to create and deliver crisp, compelling and calm communication.

Think Faster, Talk Smarter is an energetic, engaging resource for anyone who wants to speak out, spread their ideas, and ultimately share their story.

When you purchase this title, an accompanying PDF will be available in your audiobook library along with the audio.

Anxiety Disorders Career Success Meetings & Presentations Mental Health Motivation & Self-Improvement Personal Development Personal Success Psychology & Mental Health Self-Esteem Career Health Inspiring

Critic reviews

Remarkably helpful and specific. I certainly plan to follow Abrahams' recommendations (Robert Cialdini, internationally bestselling author of Pre-Suasion)
Exceptional. His tools for thinking quickly and speaking clearly are indispensable. His easy-to-understand approach helps anyone to become a better 'in-the-moment' communicator (Tony Fadell, inventor of the iPod, co-creator of the iPhone, and internationally bestselling author of Build)
A gold standard for communication best practices. Matt’s six step approach to speaking confidently and clearly in spontaneous situations helps calm the nervous system so you can focus on what matters: creating connection with those around you and responding in the moment. (David Eagleman, neuroscientist and internationally bestselling author of The Brain)
An essential contribution to the communication field. Matt provides a powerful toolkit for managing the anxiety-filled situation of speaking spontaneously — answering questions, giving feedback, addressing mistakes and miscues (Jonah Berger, internationally bestselling author of Contagious)
Filled with practical, tactical advice, this book is indispensable. (Kim Scott, internationally bestselling author of Radical Candor)
An essential read. Matt Abrahams has a gift for making complex concepts easy to understand and simple to enact (Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Drive)
Sparkling and deeply human. Abrahams lays out his proven approach to easily and powerfully telling your story, share your achievements, and getting the results you deserve. If you work with people, you must read this book! (Laszlo Bock, former Chief People Officer of Google and bestselling author of Work Rules!)
Communication expert and podcast host Matt Abrahams delivers useful advice on how to think on one's feet with the relaxed polish of a seasoned voice professional. His voice and ideas sparkle with energy. The guide is intuitively organized and covers a wide range of speaking situations, such as interviews, Q&A sessions, unscripted remarks to an audience, and conversations between employees and bosses. His focus on the emotional dynamics of any speaking situation will help listeners feel more confident when faced with a speaking challenge.
All stars
Most relevant
I came across this book recommended from Rita McGrath and I loved it! You will be equipped with an anxiety toolbox, understand t’it does matter to have a perfect speech and will learn some lifesaving techniques for an impromptu speak. Excellent. I recommended to my daughters. Friends. A must have.

Talk smarter with confidence

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delivered at a speed that enabled you to think and comprehend live in parallel rather than having to rewind and listen to paragraphs again.

Good pace

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Really enjoyed this book, it was easy to listen to, not overwhelming with tasks and the PDF included is helpful. Already implemented some tips in my communication and will keep practicing.

Helpful and easy to listen

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A very helpful and practical book. I've already begun to build some of the tips into my communication with early promising signs.. The accompanying pdf with the salient points is handy since in a book of this nature it is impossible to remember most of it. I would however have preferred if it has been half the length and don't believe it would have been the poorer for it. But that said, it is the best I've found on the subject.

Best I've Found

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I loved this both because the author narrated it, which is always so much more authentic, and because it’s jam packed with techniques I could lift and immediately use. Too many books are theoretical - this is a game changer for anyone who wants help with public and spontaneous speaking.

Packed with practical help!

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