the power of effective listening in spontaneous conversations with Matt Abrahams

the power of effective listening in spontaneous conversations with Matt Abrahams

Author: Oscar Trimboli September 26, 2023 Duration: 42:02

Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in the field of communications. He's a lecturer in organizational behavior at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.

He teaches a very popular class in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting.

He's so good, he's even won the school's alumni teaching award. Matt also co-teaches improvisational speaking in Stanford's Continuing Studies program.

To relax and rejuvenate, Matt enjoys hiking with his wife, watching sport with his kids, hang out with his friends, and continually being humbled in the Karate Dojo.

In Matt's new book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter, an important contribution to the field of communication in the workplace, he takes the time to unpack the role of listening in communication.

He highlights this in one chapter, yet there's a thread throughout the entire book about the importance of listening to the audience. The book provides really tangible and actionable tips and techniques to help you as the speaker succeed for the majority of times speaking spontaneously.

Matt provides science-based strategies for managing your anxiety, responding to the mood of the room, making content concise, relevant, compelling and memorable. He draws on his own stories, he draws on stories from his clients and his students. He offers ways to navigate Q&A sessions, successful job interviews, providing feedback, even making small talk and persuading others while handling those impromptu moments at work.

I've read his book a few times and Matt's punchy 20-minute podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart, has been in my podcast feed since 2020.

I strongly recommend Think Faster, Talk Smarter because Matt deals with the issues about communication in the workplace that I think are the crucial ones, not the planned presentation, the spontaneous speaking moments. I'm listening to you.

If you'd like to be one of the first five people to receive a copy of Matt's book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter, send an email podcast at oscar trimboli dot com with the Subject, Smarter, and answer these three questions.

  1. What did you learn from Matt?
  2. What did you learn from our conversation?
  3. And what will you do differently as a result of listening to today's episode?

 

Listen to how well Matt listens and spontaneously answers when I throw him a curveball question at the end of our discussion.

Matt, what's the cost of not listening?


Most of us spend over half our working hours listening, yet almost no one has ever been taught how to do it well. The result is a cycle of frustration and missed connections, where genuine understanding feels just out of reach. Deep Listening-Impact beyond words-Oscar Trimboli moves past the simple mechanics of hearing to explore the profound space where real impact is made. Hosted by Oscar Trimboli, this series tackles the silent gaps in our conversations-the assumptions, distractions, and unspoken cues that derail collaboration and leadership. Each episode breaks down the tangible skills needed to listen beyond words, focusing on the physical, mental, and emotional layers that most overlook. You’ll hear practical techniques drawn from research and real-world scenarios, designed for leaders, managers, and anyone who needs to navigate complex workplace relationships. This isn’t about passive hearing; it’s about an active, disciplined practice that transforms meetings, feedback, and negotiations. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a framework to quiet the internal and external noise, creating the clarity that leads to better decisions and deeper human connection. Trimboli guides you through shifting from simply waiting to speak to truly understanding, turning a fundamental skill into your most powerful professional tool.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Deep Listening - Impact beyond words - Oscar Trimboli
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