Have you ever been captivated by a great speaker and wondered how they make it look so effortless? Trust me, while it may look effortless, it likely took a lot of effort to get there. How do I know? Because I’ve helped thousands of coaching clients take their speaking skills from bland to “bravo!”, and I’m ready to help you too.
In this twice monthly podcast, I’ll teach you how to deliver a message with impact – whether you are pitching an idea to investors, charging up your team at sales kickoff, or seeking to influence a decision by your board. In 30 minutes or less, you’ll hear actionable tips from me and my expert guests on how to close that deal, inspire your team to excellence, and own any room.
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Have you ever been captivated by a great speaker and wondered how they make it look so effortless? Trust me, while it may look effortless, it likely took a lot of effort to get there. How do I know? Because I’ve helped thousands of coaching clients take their speaking skills from bland to “bravo!”, and I’m ready to help you too.
In this twice monthly podcast, I’ll teach you how to deliver a message with impact – whether you are pitching an idea to investors, charging up your team at sales kickoff, or seeking to influence a decision by your board. In 30 minutes or less, you’ll hear actionable tips from me and my expert guests on how to close that deal, inspire your team to excellence, and own any room.
Most of what we say isn’t planned, and communication expert Matt Abrahams wants us to stop fearing those moments and start embracing them. Karin Reed talks with Matt, a Stanford lecturer and author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter, about how to stay grounded when you’re put on the spot. Why do we freeze when asked an unexpected question or stumble through small talk? What if the key to speaking well off the cuff isn’t perfection, but presence?
Matt shares how letting go of the pressure to sound brilliant (what he calls “maximizing mediocrity”) creates space for real connection. He also offers his “next play” mindset for moving past mistakes and explains why strong communication starts with active listening and clear focus. His mother’s advice sums it up perfectly: “Tell the time, don’t build the clock.”
By the end, you’ll see that spontaneous speaking is a skill you can practice. With a little preparation and curiosity, those unscripted moments can become chances to connect with confidence.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction to Spontaneous Speaking
02:31 Understanding Spontaneous Speaking
05:02 Overcoming Anxiety in Speaking
08:03 Maximizing Mediocrity for Better Communication
10:25 The Importance of Listening
12:57 The Role of Body Language
15:21 The F Word: Focus in Spontaneous Speaking
17:49 Mastering Small Talk
21:05 Key Takeaways and Conclusion
Connect with Matt Abrahams:
Subscribe to Think Fast, Talk Smart on YouTube
Follow Think Fast, Talk Smart on X
Follow Think Fast, Talk Smart on Instagram
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
Connect with Karin Reed:
Visit Speaker Dynamics
Explore Speaker Dynamics University
Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram
Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
Speaker Dynamics - Own The Room
Have you ever been captivated by a great speaker and wondered how they make it look so effortless? Trust me, while it may look effortless, it likely took a lot of effort to get there. How do I know? Because I’ve helped thousands of coaching clients take their speaking skills from bland to “bravo!”, and I’m ready to help you too.
In this twice monthly podcast, I’ll teach you how to deliver a message with impact – whether you are pitching an idea to investors, charging up your team at sales kickoff, or seeking to influence a decision by your board. In 30 minutes or less, you’ll hear actionable tips from me and my expert guests on how to close that deal, inspire your team to excellence, and own any room.
