Videos
-
How to Speak Clearly & With Confidence | Matt Abrahams -
Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
-
Matt Abrahams: Grand Keynote: How to Connect & Influence In-Person in the Age of AI | TiEcon 2025
-
Speaking Up Without Freaking Out | Matt Abrahams | TEDxPaloAlto
-
Think Fast. Talk Smart | Matt Abrahams | TEDxMontaVistaHighSchool
-
How to speak better when put on the spot | Matt Abrahams | EDGE
-
How to Think on Your Feet in High-Pressure Moments
-
The #1 Mistake That Makes You Sound Insecure - Matt Abrahams
-
The Science of Failing Well & Learn How to Talk Smarter | Amy Edmondson and Matt Abrahams
-
Class Takeaways - Effective Facilitation
Learn More About Matt Abrahams
Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host and coach. As a lecturer in organizational behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business (GSB), he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. Abrahams received Stanford GSB’s Alumni Teaching Award in recognition of his teaching students around the world, and the 2025 Toastmasters International Golden Gavel Award for contributions made in the field of communication.
Named to the 2025 Thinkers50 Radar list for his global work helping improve managerial communication and leadership skills, he is also a sought-after keynote speaker and communication consultant. Abrahams has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered IPO road shows as well as Nobel Prize, TED and World Economic Forum presentations. He also consults for the United Nations’ Secretary General’s Strategic Planning and Communication Office.
With online talks that garner millions of views – including this Stanford GSB presentation with nearly 51 million views – Abrahams hosts the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart, a top 10 Apple business podcast in more than 100 countries, it has more than 2.7 million followers and over 75 million listens and views to date. His most recent book, “Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot” (2023), which has sold more than 300,000 copies and has been translated into 20 languages, provides tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers succeed when speaking spontaneously, such as navigating Q&A sessions, shining in job interviews, providing effective feedback, making small talk, fixing faux pas, and persuading others. His previous book, “Speaking Up without Freaking Out: 50 Techniques for Confident and Compelling Presenting” (2016), has helped thousands of people manage speaking anxiety and present more confidently and authentically.
Abrahams is a regular podcast guest and a highly sought-after voice on communicating in the modern age. Some of his recent work includes an interview on the Huberman Lab podcast, which received 300,000 YouTube views almost immediately upon release, a Time op-ed on why today’s teens need help communicating, and a Fast Company article on using ambiguity strategically.
Matt Abrahams is available to advise your organization via virtual and in-person consulting meetings, interactive workshops and customized keynotes through the exclusive representation of Stern Speakers & Advisors, a division of Stern Strategy Group®.
Think Fast. Talk Smart
Thriving in business and life requires clear, effective communication, especially in moments when there is little time to prepare. From media interviews to contributing in meetings or delivering critical feedback on the spot, professionals face constant pressure to respond thoughtfully and credibly. According to Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer Matt Abrahams, the most communication we do is in the moment, and most of us don’t receive training on how to do that. In this dynamic, interactive presentation, Abrahams, author of “Think Faster, Talk Smarter,” shares practical strategies that help people organize their thoughts quickly, structure their spontaneity, manage anxiety, communicate with focus, and even strengthen business relationships. Attendees learn practical techniques and practice applying them to speak with greater confidence, clarity and impact in any situation.
Communicate Effectively in Times of Uncertainty and Crisis
When uncertainty arises and words matter most, leaders must have the skills to create messaging that is clear and confident. In this impactful presentation, Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer and author of “Think Faster, Talk Smarter,” Matt Abrahams reveals strategies for consistent messaging when change and uncertainty are at the forefront. “Communication is operationalized leadership,” Abrahams explains to audiences of leaders, providing tactics for both representing their organization well and reassuring their teams, especially during crises. By building new communication skills and enhancing current ones, attendees leave with immediately applicable methods for communicating in engaging, influential and reassuring ways.
Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot
(Simon Element / Simon Acumen, September 2023)
Speaking Up Without Freaking Out: 50 Techniques for Confident and Compelling Presenting
(Kendall Hunt Publishing, January 2016)
Learn and Practice Techniques to Think Fast and Talk Smart
Whether you’re a leader aiming to get buy-in from employees or a rising star looking to impress your boss, communication can be what makes or breaks the opportunity. Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer Matt Abrahams is renowned for helping anyone organize their thoughts quickly, structure their spontaneity, manage anxiety, communicate with focus, and even strengthen business relationships. The outcomes of learning from Abrahams are relevant to any industry and career-level: managers gain the self-assurance to speak up in meetings, startups learn influence techniques to secure funding, and students face exams with less trepidation. In this highly interactive workshop, Abrahams shares practical strategies that help people communicate effectively and concisely. Attendees learn accessible communication frameworks and practice applying them to speak with greater confidence, clarity and impact in any situation, especially those that require spontaneity.
