Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

• Tell a story and use structures.
• Structured information increases processing fluency: People retain information 40% more reliably and better.
• Never lose your audience.
• Structure sets you free.

Ideas for structures:

1. Problem/opportunity, solution, benefit.
2. What? So what? Now what?

• Acknowledge your own emotions as well as those of your audience.
• Reframe and explain.
• Use engagement activities and variety, ask questions.
• Use conversational language such as "we/you" instead of "I".
• Paraphrase the questions to get time.
• Use humor: Self-deprecating humor is the least risky.
• Have a backup plan if it doesnt work.
• "Why" is the most important question.
• Make people give advice.

Play the following games with a partner as they will help you speak more confidently in spontaneous situations.

• Instructions: Point with your finger at a random object and shout the wrong name (for example: point at a table and scream "bird"). Make sure to not use patterns; don't use words from the same category.
• Purpose: This game helps you to get out of your own way and to solve problems.
• We are planning to get it right but theres is no way to actually get it right.

• Instructions: Give your partner an imaginary gift (but you don't know what is inside). They name what is inside. Then you tell them why you gifted it to them.
• Purpose: You will learn to speak spontaneously.
• Use "yes and" instead of "no but"

• Instructions: Name the best thing you will do today but spell it out letter by letter; pause between the words. Let your partner do the same.
• Purpose: You will learn to slow down and listen.
• When you focus and listen, you can't be thinking ahead and you will automatically give a better response.

Further information and tips can be found on Matt Abrahams' website:

Nofreakingspeaking.com