Think Faster, Talk Smarter

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

By: Matt Abrahams

Narrated by: Matt Abrahams

Develop the life-changing ability to excel in spontaneous communication situations—from public speaking to interviewing to networking—with these essential strategies from a Stanford lecturer, coach, and host of the popular Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast.

“A roadmap to mastering the art of thinking quickly and speaking confidently, this is the perfect book for…anyone else who talks.” —Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of The Power of Habit, Smarter Faster Better and Supercommunicators

Many of us dread having to convey our ideas to others, often feeling ill-equipped, anxious, and awkward. Public speaking experts help by focusing on planned communication experiences such as slide presentations, pitches, or formal talks. Yet, most of our professional and personal communication occurs in spontaneous situations that creep up on us and all too often leave us flustered and stumbling for words. How can we rise to the occasion and shine when we’re put on the spot?

In Think Faster, Talk Smarter, Stanford lecturer, podcast host, and communication expert Matt Abrahams provides tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers succeed when speaking spontaneously. Abrahams provides science-based strategies for managing anxiety, responding to the mood of the room, and making content concise, relevant, compelling, and memorable. Drawing on stories from his clients and students, he offers best practices for navigating Q&A sessions, shining in job interviews, providing effective feedback, making small talk, fixing faux pas, persuading others, and handling other impromptu speaking tasks.

Whether it’s a prospective client asking you an unexpected question during a meeting or all eyes turning to you at a dinner party, you’ll know how to navigate the situation like a pro and bring out your very best. Think Faster, Talk Smarter is an accessible guide to communication that will help you master new techniques in no time.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Matt Abrahams (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

For beginners

This book is for beginners or for people who are bad and anxious talkers. This book isn't for someone who is a good talker looking to improve their skills and most likely will be a waste of time.

Very well rounded

The acronyms were timely and unforgettable. I’ll keep adding these tricks to my tool belt. Spontaneous speaking comes from years of preparedness.

This book was fabulous!

I have downloaded your podcast, and it is extremely helpful. I am currently enjoying the tips. I think they will make me a much better speaker! I loved this book; I actually came to this book from the podcast!

Boring

I find this book very boring! But i've taken a very useful advice/tecnique. That advice paid the book but is generaly very boring.

A treasury of tips, frameworks, and examples!

Greatly enjoyed listening to Think Faster, Talk Smarter and am excited to have it as a resource. The first section of the book gives advice for how to speak spontaneously and the second half gives frameworks and examples for specific situations.

The book is very accessible, includes fun exercises to practice, and is a great gift for anyone who wants to improve their impromptu speaking.

Good for frameworks, but could use more examples to reach advanced level in terms of true on the spot tactics

I like the acronyms on two or three of the frameworks that could come in handy. However, the book sometimes strays off and goes into too much detail on overall presentation strategies and frameworks. While the connection is definite, I was looking, perhaps for amor in death analysis of what to really do in the moment. The preparation will of course never be 100%, but, I feel like more tactics based on real life. Interviews and situations could enhance the level of the book. While I have a high-level that is set as the bar for self-employment books, I would not recommend this to experienced users. However, I think it would make a, good junior level manager book. That being said, I do have my own challenges in speaking, and I fully appreciate the work that went into this book as the author outlines a lot of relevant examples nevertheless.

Insightful and informative

This book was incredibly enjoyable and enlightening through its useful and practical tips and anecdotes. I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking to become better at communicating in front of large audiences or simply with their peers. 

Must read for everyone who speaks!

Practical tips and advice with guided instructions on speaking at home, at work, in public and amongst acquaintances! Not only a must listen, but would recommend buying the hard copy for reference!

Easily notable and actionable

I'm a big fan of all the acronyms and mnemonic devices used to structure responses and answer on your toes. I made a lot of notes and will probably listen a few times.

Drones On!

For someone that teaches speaking the author’s reading is quite boring. Little to no voice inflections, just drones on. The material presented is very good though. Tough to listen to though.