194. Live Lessons in Levity and Leadership: Me2We 2025 Part 1

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Think Fast Talk Smart

Communicating, Influence, Career Skills, Career, Business, Education, Leadership, Careers, Communication, Career Growth, Public Speaking, Language Learning, Improv

4.7 • 711 Ratings

🗓️ 1 April 2025

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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.

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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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Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Stanford University.
0:04.1	As a Think Fast Talk Smart listener, you're familiar with the techniques and tactics developed by my Stanford colleagues that can help you be a better strategic communicator, like the work of Jamil Zaki on how to be more trusted and connected.
0:16.7	Stanford professors help shape the world in many other ways.
0:20.5	Recently, my colleagues in the Stanford School of Engineering hosted a course for the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.
0:27.1	Over 10 days, Stanford professors taught the pilots some of the latest AI and robotics technologies
0:32.5	that they could apply to their careers designing, testing, and evaluating military aircraft and satellites.
0:39.2	Partnerships like this one with the Air Force are part of everyday research activities at
0:43.5	Stanford. If you'd like to stay informed on world-changing research like this, sign up for
0:48.4	Stanford Report at connect.standford.edu.
0:56.0	What is better than getting advice and guidance on how to hone and develop your communication skills from one amazing knowledgeable guest?
1:03.0	Getting that advice and guidance from four amazing guests.
1:07.0	My name is Matt Abraham's, and I teach strategic communication at Stanford Graduate School of
1:12.7	Business. Welcome to Think Fast, Talk Smart, the podcast. This is part one of two episodes that were
1:20.5	recorded live on the Stanford campus in front of almost 800 people at this year's Stanford Executive
1:27.3	Education's lead me to We conference.
1:31.1	In this episode, you will learn from four GSP faculty members, Naomi Bagdonis, Christian Wheeler,
1:38.1	Near Halevi, and Allison Kluger. Each of them has been on the show before.
1:43.4	Unlike this episode, where I ask all the questions,
1:47.2	our second MeTo We episode will have our panelists answering live questions from our audience.
1:53.0	So let's get started and let's get learning. Before we get started, I wanted to invite you to
1:59.7	join us for our upcoming Think Fast TalkSmart
2:02.2	Live event on April 14th and 15th. I'll be giving a brief talk and then I'll take questions live.
	...

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