Think Fast. Talk Smart | Matt Abrahams | TEDxMontaVistaHighSchool

Stanford lecturer and entrepreneur Matt Abrahams is an expert on interpersonal communication and presentation. His talk at TEDxMontaVistaHighSchool's 2015 Spring conference explains the ins and outs of impromptu and public speaking.

Matt Abrahams is a passionate, collaborative and innovative educator and coach. Matt teaches both Strategic Communication and Effective Communication at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Matt is also Co-Founder and Principal at Bold Echo Communications Solutions, a presentation and communication skills company based in Silicon Valley that helps people improve their presentation skills. Matt has worked with executives to help prepare and present keynote addresses and IPO road shows, conduct media interviews, and deliver TED talks. Finally, Matt recently published the second edition of his book Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, a book written to help people become more confident, authentic, and compelling presenters. Prior to teaching, Matt held senior leadership positions in several leading software companies, where he created and ran global training and development organizations.

[QuickTalks]

4 Key points:

1) Approach
-Think of speaking as a positive opportunity to share your ideas with people
2) Audience
-What does your audience need to know from you? What do they already know? What do they expect of you? What's their attitude about your topic?
3)Context
-Context is important: What time is it? What emotional state is your audience in? What emotional state do you want to put them in? Where are you physically?
4) Structure
Structure your talk to keep people engaged! Try:
a) Past - Present - Future: This is what the situation was, here is what it is now, here's how we want to change the situation for the future
b)Problem - solution - benefit: Here's the problem we're facing. Here's the solution I recommend. Here's the benefit to be expected
c)What - so what? - now what? : Here's the issue. Here's why you should care. Here's what we should do.

[lethamazibuko]

I must admit it.. Im getting addicted to these ted talks ..with good reason..

[kristenkristen]

dont judge TED talks anymore. They are here to share, you are here to learn. Never judge if you find out something bad. If it isn't good, forget it, then find another thing better for you. dont judge them. cause they are sharing here to help you!

[Mr.AverageNpc]

1)dont panic
2)look at thing differently (positively)
3)communication is a opportunity to share our ideas
4)approach communication in an open way
5)communicate what the listener need to hear
6)undestand their audience and their needs
7)context - timing, emotion, location, structure the messege,
8)1st structure - past, present, future
2nd structure -probelm, solution,benifits
3rd structure - what, so what, now what
9)never loose your audience(stay in your structure)

[chocosongee]

As a foreign language learner, his speech was very easy and clear for me to understand!

[sanysl]

“Don’t listen to respond, listen to understand”

[seolchun]

Step 1: Approach 2:00
Step 2: Audience 4:11
Step 3: Context 7:54
Step 4: Structure 10:51

[harrydaplatypus]

Summary: The 4 tools for getting a message through to an audience
1. Approach
- Think of any perplexing situation as an *opportunity* to share what is it that you're thinking, not a threat to who you are.
- Henceforth you become more *open* to such situations.
2. Audience
- Understand what your audience needs by categorizing those needs as their *knowledge* of the subject, their *expectations* for what you'd do, and their *attitudes* towards what you're saying.
- *Appreciate* the audience, tailor your message to suit their needs.
3. Context
- Oftentimes, we find ourselves in different positions as we pitch our message.
- Pay attention to all the involving factors be it the *timing* of your message, your *tone* of voice (whether you're speaking or writing, emotional content matters just as much as the informational content), and the *location* in which the message is delivered.
4. Structure
- We as humans remember things 40% better when they are structured.
- That's how we can learn to *group together* pieces of information just like we used to remember cell phone numbers.
- Structures set *expectations* for the audience while the message is being delivered, therefore it helps to have a map for your speech/ essay/...
- "How to help you know what comes next"
Here are examples of some types of orderly message organizations:
+ *Past-Present-Future* structure (chronological order)
+ *Problem-Solution-Benefit* structure (one of the most persuasive)
+ *What-SoWhat-NowWhat* structure (one of the most versatile)

[KillaKam]

Bro his speaking is so clear!! Its like unbelievably clear to where you feel your ears pop up like a husky to really tune in

[abrorqurbonov]

This man speaks so clear and easy to understand foreign students. This is the best clear speech I've ever listened

[vinaysenani]

Hey 2050 people, hi I'm watching this video on 30th may 2024 and i hope you also enjoy to values and teaching given in this video, and dont think its 25 or 30 years old video because you know knowledge never expires.

[souadronin]

I started listening to TEDx Talks a few days ago to improve my communication skills and i must say I LOVE IT HERE! I'm learning so much. thank you to all TEDx speakers.

[IJustHitTheFan]

I love public speaking and often watch presentations such as this one. Only they're NOT like this one! 16 minutes of pure gold. Amazing. Thank you so much.

[PrincessMindorena]

This is the second time I heard him talk. He is brilliant! Thank you Professor!

[LucasFuckingLauridsen]

WOAH forget just scraping the surface of TED talks by only checking out the ones with 1 000 000+ views... this RIGHT HERE is where it's at people! I just spent an hour or two watching talks with less than 10 000 views and these people are brilliant and deserve every second of your attention as much as the ones in the more popular videos! Keep sharing TED, love you <3

[radhikafreebird]

Such an amazing and inspiring talk! An entire course on effective communication condensed into 16 minutes. Respect

[desperatedcorpse]

That guy really has improved my skills for public speaking!!! ... and my aspirations too!!!

[sajidhassan]

Dont know how many times i have watched this video but this has been a game changer. When ever i have to talk to audience, i do watch it multiple times and this gives me confidence everytime i do. Thanks a lot

[themanwiththeplan]

That Girl Scout girl is an absolute genius

[timothywong]

Was finding a way to improve my presentation skills, this was definitely useful. The proper mindset and the structure helped me compose a talk that was easy to understand. Thank you for sharing!