131. Friction Fixing: How to Use Obstacles to Your Advantage

131. Friction Fixing: How to Use Obstacles to Your Advantage

Author: Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart February 27, 2024 Duration: 26:44

Friction — that’s Professor Huggy Rao’s metaphor for the forces that hamper workplace efficiency. But as he says, some friction can be helpful — if you know how to use it.

In his book, The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder, Rao and coauthor Robert I. Sutton explore how operational obstacles show up in the workplace and, more importantly, what we can do about them. Through what Rao calls “friction fixing,” leaders can “take out the bad friction to make the right things easy to do [and] put in good friction to make the wrong things harder [to do].”

As Rao discusses with host Matt Abrahams on this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, leaders can eliminate bad friction through good communication. “Communication matters a lot,” he says. “The simple rule is, make sure a 10-year-old can understand it on the first try.”


Episode Reference Links:


Connect:


 ********
Thank you to our sponsors.
 These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.

This episode is brought to you by Babbel. Think Fast Talk Smart listeners can get started on your language learning journey today- visit Babbel.com/Thinkfast and get up to 55% off your Babbel subscription.

Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be. 


Ever find yourself scrambling for the right words in a high-stakes meeting or struggling to get your point across clearly? That’s the territory Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques explores. Hosted by Matt Abrahams, a Stanford lecturer and author who understands the real-world pressure of thinking on your feet, this podcast digs into the mechanics of how we connect and convey ideas. Each episode features conversations with specialists across various fields, moving beyond theory to deliver concrete methods you can use immediately. Whether it’s navigating a difficult conversation, structuring a persuasive pitch, or simply becoming a more engaged listener, Matt focuses on the tactical skills that build confidence. The discussions are grounded in his professional experience and academic background, offering a blend of research and relatable application. You’ll hear specific techniques for organizing your thoughts under pressure, using storytelling to make data memorable, and adjusting your communication style for different audiences. This isn’t about abstract concepts; it’s a resource for anyone who needs to influence, lead, or collaborate more effectively in their career and daily interactions. Tune in to this practical podcast for a regular dose of insights that aim to make your communication more intentional and impactful, one conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 284

Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Podcast Episodes
151. Get Hired: How the Right Communication Can Advance Your Career [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:00
Whether winning over a hiring manager or winning new business, career success often hinges on how we communicate. That’s why Andrew Seaman is on a mission to help people find the words that work — to get work.Seaman is t…
150. Communication Tips from the Classroom and Around the World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:57
Sometimes, what’s communicated to us can have a big impact on how we communicate to others. This episode explores some of the best communication advice — from experts and Think Fast, Talk Smart listeners around the world…
148. Conviction and Compassion: How to Have Hard Conversations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:11
In our personal and professional lives, some conversations are harder than others. To navigate the difficulties of discussing what matters most, Professor Irv Grousbeck says we need the right balance of conviction and co…
144. Communicating Through Conflict: How to Get Along with Anyone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:01
Many of us would rank getting along with colleagues as an important aspect of work, but, as Amy Gallo explains, relationships devoid of disagreement can actually be less productive. “While our natural human instinct is t…