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Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

238. Ask Matt Anything: Why Listening Might Be Your Most Powerful Skill

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Think Fast Talk Smart

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

4.7 • 805 Ratings

🗓️ 28 October 2025

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When we truly listen, every conversation changes — including the one with ourselves.

Listening isn’t about waiting for your turn to speak — it’s about being present enough to truly hear. In a world full of noise, slowing down to listen can feel like a radical act. Yet it’s in those moments of stillness and attention that real understanding begins.


In this special Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, we explore what it means to “listen up” — to engage with intention, empathy, and curiosity. Along the way, listener questions spark insights on how to slow down fast conversations, apply communication tools in real life, and navigate the nuances of culture and connection. Because better communication doesn’t start with what we say — it starts with what we hear.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:


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Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (02:41) - The Three Ps That Block Good Listening
  • (03:38) - Ace Your Listening: Pace, Space, and Grace
  • (05:58) - Listening Beyond Words: Nonverbal Cues That Matter
  • (06:36) - Listening Through Paraphrasing
  • (08:12) - Practicing Better Listening
  • (09:29) - Choosing the Right Structure for Your Audience
  • (12:54) - Applying Communication Skills Effectively
  • (16:01) - Slowing Down Conversations
  • (20:24) - Practicing and Getting Feedback
  • (22:54) - What’s Next for Think Fast Talk Smart
  • (24:46) - Conclusion

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Transcript

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0:00.0

Hi, Matt here. Before we get started, I just wanted to let you know that November is going to be a

0:05.0

very exciting month for Think Fast Talk Smart. We will be unveiling a new way for all of us to connect

0:11.2

and learn from each other. Our premium members recently got a sneak peek and they love it. Stay tuned.

0:18.2

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0:30.5

We spend about a third of our waking hours working, but so many people feel stuck in their jobs they've outgrown. I've heard it all. What if the

0:39.1

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0:45.8

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1:11.3

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1:20.5

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1:24.4

Stop settling.

1:25.6

Start building the career you actually want.

1:31.9

One of my greatest pleasures is interacting with the global Think Fast Talk Smart audience.

1:39.1

My name is Matt Abrams, and I teach Strategic communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

1:45.3

Welcome to Think Fast, Talk Smart, the podcast.

1:49.5

Recently, I had an opportunity to speak with our community at an AMA, Ask Matt Anything.

1:56.2

Let's listen in to see how it went.

2:01.2

Well, before we get started and talk about your questions, I'd love to start with a foundational

2:07.4

communication skill, and that is listening.

2:11.4

Today, I want to talk about listening up so you can listen in and really connect to your audience.

...

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