206. Crafting Narratives That Motivate: What’s Your Strategy Story?

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

🗓️ 29 May 2025

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Great strategy starts with a question—and a story worth believing in.

A good strategy isn’t just built—it’s told. For Martin Reeves, chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and author of The Imagination Machine and Like: The Button That Changed the World, strategy and imagination are both deeply communicative processes, rooted in storytelling, curiosity, and the courage to reframe assumptions.
“A strategy is really just a special kind of story,” Reeves explains. “It begins with the present and aspires to a different future—it’s fiction made actionable.” To bring that fiction to life, leaders must involve their teams in a co-creative journey and use thoughtful questions to shape not just ideas, but belief and action.
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Reeves joins Matt Abrahams to explore how communication fuels strategic thinking, innovation, and organizational reinvention. He outlines his six-step framework for imagination—from embracing anomalies to codifying and continuing ideas—and underscores the role of reframing, deep listening, and even levity in solving complex problems. Together, they unpack how a single “like” button changed our digital behaviors—and what it teaches us about influence and attention today.

Episode Reference Links:

Martin Reeves
Martin’s Books: Like / The Imagination Machine
Ep.71 Strategy Success: How to Communicate Your Gameplan

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Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(02:19) - Using Story in Strategy
(05:00) - Questions as a Communication Technology
(06:15) - The Six Steps to Harnessing Imagination
(10:36) - The “7 Cs” of Imagination and Communication
(12:08) - Reframing as a Creative Tool
(14:11) - The Like Button: Origin and Evolution
(16:14) - Brain Chemistry Behind Digital Liking
(18:12) - The Final Three Questions
(22:59) - Conclusion

*****
This episode is sponsored by Stanford. Groundbreaking research happens everyday at Stanford, learn more here.
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Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Stanford University.
0:04.0	As a Think Fast Talk Smart listener, you've heard firsthand how Stanford researchers have brought
0:08.5	cutting-edge ideas to life, like Alia Crum's work on how our mindset can empower confidence
0:13.8	and manage stress.
0:15.5	Stanford researchers are constantly working to improve the world around us.
0:19.0	Microbiologists Justin and Erica Sonnenberg are studying the gut microbiome and its potential
0:24.6	for helping people live healthier lives.
0:26.6	The essential microbial community in your gut influences your immune system, your metabolism,
0:31.6	and even affects your mood and behavior.
0:34.6	The Sondberg's work is leading to actionable insights that can nurture your gut
0:38.8	microbiome to reduce inflammation and contribute to a healthier, longer life. Groundbreaking research
0:45.3	like this happens every day at Stanford, and you can learn more at research matters.
0:50.3	.standford.edu.
1:03.4	The glue for ideation, imagination, and even strategy is communication.
1:09.9	My name is Matt Abrahams, and I teach strategic communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
1:10.7	Welcome to Think Fast, Talk Smart, the podcast.
1:15.6	Today I'm excited to speak with Martin Reeves.
1:17.6	Martin is chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute,
1:21.6	which is a think tank dedicated to exploring and developing valuable new insights
1:25.6	from business, technology, economics, and science.
1:30.0	Martin has written many books.
1:31.7	One of my favorites is The Imagination Machine.
	...

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