Mastering Spontaneous Public Speaking with Matt Abrahams

 

Matt Abrahams is a professor, keynote speaker, and martial artist. He is a leading expert in communication and serves as a lecturer in organizational behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, where he received the school’s Alumni Teaching Award. Matt teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. Additionally, he teaches public speaking and co-teaches improvisational speaking in the Stanford Continuing Studies Program. Matt is also a sought-after communications consultant and coach who has helped numerous presenters prepare for Nobel Prize presentations, TEDx talks, the World Economic Forum, and other high-stakes talks and speeches. He is the author of Freaking Out and hosts the award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart.

 

Matt joins me today to discuss managing public speaking anxiety and how to effectively navigate spontaneous public talks. He explains why anxiety from public speaking can’t be truly overcome and shares the two-pronged approach to managing the symptoms and sources of public speaking anxiety. He illustrates how we can reframe spontaneous public speaking situations not as threats, but as opportunities for exploration and collaboration. He outlines the “Pace, Space, & Grace” approach to high-impact, high-intensity conversations. He shares a story of serendipity and why he makes it a point to say “yes” to opportunities whenever possible. Matt also outlines the three “Rs” people must consider before asserting their viewpoint and underscores how persuasion involves more than convincing another person to do what you want them to do.

 

“Most communication we do as leaders is spontaneous. We work hard on the presentations and meetings we run but, in reality, a lot of what we do in our everyday lives is spontaneous.” - Matt Abrahams

 

This week on The Rising Leader Podcast:

 

●     Glossophobia and its roots

●     Learning to manage the fear of public speaking

●     The “feel/real divide” and how we can shift our mindset about public speaking

●     The Spotlight Effect and focusing on the value you bring to your audience

●     Quick exercises to relieve the symptoms of public speaking anxiety

●     How to speak effectively in impromptu or spontaneous situations

●     Showing up as a powerful leader and team member in meetings

●     How to make your voice matter in group conversations

●     The secret to effective persuasion

●     How to properly apologize when you’ve made a mistake

 

Resources Mentioned:

 

●     Podcast: Business Minds Coffee Chat with Jay Scherr

●     Book: Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott

●     Speaking Up Without Freaking Out | Matt Abrahams | TEDxPaloAlto

 

Connect with Matt Abrahams:

 

●     Matt Abrahams Website

●     Podcast: Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast

●     Think Fast, Talk Smart on Instagram

●     Think Fast, Talk Smart on YouTube

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