Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Stanford Graduate School of Business

4 Dec 201458:20

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe speaker gives a presentation on effective public speaking, focusing on being able to speak spontaneously and confidently. He shares techniques to manage anxiety, reframing situations as opportunities rather than threats. He leads the audience through interactive games to practice getting out of one's own way and listening fully. He introduces handy narrative structures to organize thoughts. Overall he aims to provide the audience with simple yet effective tools to become more compelling, confident speakers.

Takeaways

😊 Effective communication requires managing anxiety and making the audience feel comfortable
👍 Reframing public speaking situations as conversations helps reduce nervousness
🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness and focusing on the present moment can stem anxiety from spiraling out of control
😀 Using humor, especially self-deprecating jokes, helps connect with the audience
🤝 Interactive activities engage the audience and facilitate participation
🎯 Providing structure through problem-solution-benefit helps the audience follow your message
👂 Listening carefully to understand the audience's needs allows you to respond appropriately
🙅‍♂️ Getting out of your own way by not overthinking responses leads to more authentic interactions
💡 Spontaneous speaking situations are opportunities to clarify and understand people's thinking
🎉 An enthusiastic, positive attitude and reframing challenges make the audience more receptive

Q & A

What technique does the speaker recommend to manage anxiety when you first start feeling the physical symptoms?
-The speaker recommends using mindful attention to greet your anxiety and acknowledge that feeling nervous is normal and natural. This can help prevent your anxiety from spiraling out of control.
How does reframing a speaking situation as a conversation rather than a performance help manage anxiety?
-When you view public speaking as a conversation rather than a performance, there is no longer a "right" or "wrong" way to do it. This reduces the pressure you put on yourself and can help manage anxiety.
What is the benefit of bringing yourself into the present moment when speaking instead of worrying about future consequences?
-Focusing on the present moment prevents you from being preoccupied with worries about how your speech will be received or what future impact it may have. This reduces anxiety in the moment.
What is the purpose of the 'shout the wrong name' exercise?
-This exercise trains your brain to get out of its own way instead of overplanning or trying too hard to get things right. It's about responding spontaneously rather than reacting based on preconceived ideas.
How does seeing a speaking opportunity as an opportunity rather than a threat change your mindset?
-Viewing speaking situations as opportunities gives you more freedom and flexibility to respond. If you see it as a threat, you are more likely to become defensive and do the bare minimum required.
Why is listening an important step before responding in a spontaneous speaking situation?
-You need to fully understand what is being asked of you before you can give an appropriate response. Listening helps you serve the needs of your audience.
What are two speech structures the speaker recommends and what is their purpose?
-Two structures are the problem-solution-benefit structure and the what-so what-now what structure. Structures help you organize your thoughts and make your speech easier for the audience to follow.
What is the purpose of practicing tongue twisters as part of anxiety management?
-Tongue twisters serve two purposes - they force you to be present in the moment to avoid mistakes, and they warm up your voice so you sound more confident.
What is the main message or point of the 'give an imaginary gift' exercise?
-The point is to reframe spontaneous speaking situations as collaborative opportunities for creativity rather than challenges or tests that you can fail.
Why does spelling things out to your partner help teach the skill of truly listening before responding?
-Spelling words forces you to slow down, pay close attention, and focus entirely on what your partner is communicating rather than moving too quickly to formulate your response.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Introducing the Topic of Effective Speaking

The speaker introduces himself and the topic of effective speaking in spontaneous situations. He thanks the audience for attending despite the intentionally grammatically incorrect title. He states it will be a highly participative workshop focused on techniques to become a more compelling, confident, and connected speaker.

05:02

😓 Managing Speaking Anxiety

The speaker highlights that most people experience anxiety when speaking publicly and that it needs to be managed, not overcome. He introduces techniques like mindful attention to greet anxiety, reframing the situation as a conversation, and being present-oriented to stem anxiety from spiraling out of control.

10:05

😌 Reframing as a Conversation and Being Present-Oriented

The speaker elaborates on reframing public speaking as a conversation by using questions, conversational language, and orientation to the present moment rather than worrying about future consequences. He has the audience participate in an activity to get out of their own way of overthinking.

15:06

👂 Listening and Responding Genuinely

The speaker emphasizes the need to listen deeply to audience needs before responding in order to serve them best as a communicator. He has the audience participate in an activity spelling out a conversation to force attentive listening before response.

20:06

😉 Approaching Interactions Playfully

The speaker introduces the concept of approaching public speaking playfully and seeing interactions as opportunities for co-creation. He has the audience participate in an activity of exchanging imaginary gifts to experience this mindset.

25:06

📝 Utilizing Structures to Organize Content

The speaker stresses utilizing structures like the problem-solution-benefit framework or what-so-what-now-what questioning to logically organize content when speaking spontaneously. This reduces cognitive load. He has the audience practice selling a Slinky toy using these structures.

30:09

💡 Summary of Techniques

The speaker summarizes the techniques to improve at spontaneous speaking, including managing anxiety, getting out of your own way, reframing interactions as opportunities, listening before responding, and utilizing structures to organize content spontaneously. He invites audience questions.

35:10

🙋‍♂️ Answering Audience Questions

The speaker fields audience questions on handling hostile questions, engaging remote audiences, expert witness testimony, cultural differences, use of humor, getting authentic answers from media-trained subjects, and more. He thanks the audience and invites further individual questions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡anxiety

Anxiety refers to feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease, especially regarding an imminent event. Managing anxiety is a key theme in the video - the speaker notes that 85% of people feel nervous when public speaking. He then provides techniques to manage anxiety when speaking spontaneously, like acknowledging the anxiety, reframing the situation, and being present-oriented.

💡spontaneous

Spontaneous means happening or arising without apparent external cause, in an unplanned or sudden way. The main focus of the video is on developing skills for effective spontaneous speaking or communicating on-the-spot without preparation.

💡opportunity

Opportunity refers to a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. The speaker encourages the audience to reframe anxiety-inducing spontaneous speaking situations as opportunities rather than threats.

💡structure

Structure refers to the arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex. The speaker emphasizes using structures like the problem-solution-benefit framework to provide organization when responding spontaneously.

💡conversation

Conversation means a talk between two or more people, during which thoughts, feelings, and ideas are expressed, questions are asked and answered, or news and information is exchanged. The speaker suggests reframing speeches as conversations rather than performances to reduce anxiety.

💡present

Present means existing or occurring now. The speaker discusses techniques like physical activity, music, counting, or tongue twisters to become present-oriented rather than worrying about future consequences when speaking spontaneously.

💡listen

Listen means to give one's attention to sound or action. The speaker emphasizes the importance of slowing down to actively listen and understand the audience's needs before responding spontaneously.

💡story

Story refers to an account of imaginary or real people and events. The speaker notes that responding spontaneously requires telling a story by providing a structured response.

💡technique

Technique means a way of carrying out a particular task. The video outlines anxiety management techniques, games to practice spontaneous speaking skills, and structures to frame responses.

💡practice

Practice means the actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method. The speaker stresses the importance of practicing structures and techniques to become effective at spontaneous speaking.

Highlights

85% of people are nervous when speaking in public. Anxiety gives energy and helps focus, but must be managed.

Mindful attention helps manage anxiety by simply greeting it and acknowledging it is normal.

Reframe presenting from a 'performance' to a 'conversation' by using questions, inclusive language, etc.

Bring yourself into the present moment to be less concerned about future consequences and nervousness.

Rather than striving for greatness when speaking, dare to be dull. This allows you to reach greatness.

See spontaneous speaking situations as opportunities, not challenges or threats.

In interactions, listen first before responding. Don't just do something, stand there.

Structured information is processed about 40% more effectively and efficiently.

Use structures like 'Problem, Solution, Benefit' or 'What, So What, Now What' when speaking spontaneously.

Manage anxiety, get out of your own way, see situations as opportunities, listen, and use structures.

Acknowledge hostility in the room and the emotion behind it without naming it.

For remote audiences, include engagement techniques where they have to do something participatory.

When cross-examined, identify themes beforehand with examples to support them.

Paraphrasing hostile questions allows you to reframe and buy time to think.

Self-deprecating humor is less risky than other types when presenting.

Transcripts

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