230. Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage

230. Tech Tools: Use Visuals to Your Advantage

Author: Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart September 18, 2025 Duration: 11:48

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.

Clear communication isn’t just about sharing information — it’s about making ideas stick. That’s why Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product Officer at Figma, believes the key to effective collaboration lies in turning complex concepts into simple, memorable visuals.
For years, Figma has been reshaping the way teams brainstorm, design, and build together — making it easier than ever to bring ideas to life in real time. In this episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools miniseries, host Matt Abrahams talks with Yamashita about how visuals facilitate shared understanding, why frameworks enhance team communication, and how to craft insights that people naturally remember and reuse.
In addition to insight-packed discussions, this miniseries explores innovative tools that enhance the way we communicate and connect. Whether you want to make your presentations more memorable, craft stories that stick, or connect with your audience on a deeper level, these episodes will help you communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.

Episode Reference Links:


Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (01:16) - Figma Elevator Structure
  • (02:07) - Joining Figma
  • (03:17) - The Power of Visual Storytelling
  • (04:36) - Creating Shared Meaning with Visuals
  • (05:37) - Favorite Communicator
  • (08:59) - Communication Hack or Tool
  • (10:36) - Conclusion

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

Try Prezi today and get 25% off exclusively at prezi.com/thinkfast.


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
59. From Dreaming to Doing: How We Set and Achieve Goals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:18
Why do we do what we do? What factors drive us? And how do things like competition with others help us achieve our goals?These are the questions most interesting to Szu-chi Huang, an associate professor of marketing with…
58. Forgiveness: How the Right Communication Repairs Relationships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:25
In relationships between imperfect people, mistakes are inevitable. And when we find ourselves with damaged connections, it’s a specific kind of communication that can help us make amends.Fred Luskin is the Director of t…
56. Lean Messaging: How Simple Messages Really Stick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:16
“Anyone can make a complicated thing sound complicated. It takes real skill to make it sound simple.” This episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart features Steve Blank, seasoned entrepreneur, marketer, and Stanford adjunct pro…
55. Ideas & Empathy: How to Design and Communicate with Others in Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:05
“Very often, you are not designing for yourself. And you kind of have to get out of your own way to effectively design with others’ needs in mind.”In this podcast episode, lecturer Matt Abrahams is joined by Sarah Stein…
54. Leadership and Ethics: How to Communicate Your Core Values [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:04
“A mistake that some leaders make is to assume that the people in your organization share your core values. Some of the time some of them do, but there's a bunch who don't, and those are the most difficult sorts of situa…