Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of Strategic Communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, as he sits down with experts in the field to discuss real-world challenges. How do I send my message clearly when put on the spot? How do I write emails to get my point across? How can I easily convey complex information? How do I manage my reputation? Whether you’re giving a toast or presenting in a meeting, communication is critical to success in business and in life.Think Fast, Talk Smart provides the tools, techniques, and best practices to help you communicate more effectively.
328. Ask Matt Anything: Don’t Let Your Communication Fizzle at the Finish
“How you end something often can be as important, if not more important, than how you start.”
What’s the best way to wrap up a presentation? How do you stop yourself from repeating the same point? And what can you do when strong emotions start taking over? Matt Abrahams tackles these questions and more in this Ask Matt Anything episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, recorded with members of the Learning Community. He shares why a strong ending deserves as much attention as a strong opening, along with practical advice for holding attention, getting better at small talk, breaking repetitive speaking patterns, and channeling emotion more effectively.
Takeaways:
- A strong ending reinforces what matters most. Return to your goal by reminding your audience what you want them to know, how you want them to feel, and what you want them to do next.
- Engagement requires giving your audience something to do. Questions, physical participation, vivid language, and shared experiences can help capture attention and keep people involved in your message.
Activity:
- Land the plane. Take the ending of an upcoming presentation or meeting and write one sentence for each part of your goal: what you want people to know, feel, and do. Use those three points to build a concise closing.
Episode Reference Links:
Connect:
- Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
- Email Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.io
- Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
- Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
- Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
- Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
- (00:00) - Introduction
- (00:44) - Why Endings Matter
- (02:16) - Ending With Your Goal
- (03:38) - Bringing It Full Circle
- (04:19) - Ending With a Call to Action
- (06:22) - Breaking Repetitive Speaking Patterns
- (08:50) - Keeping Your Audience Engaged
- (12:08) - Building Confidence in Small Talk
- (15:18) - Communicating Strong Emotions
- (18:01) - Conclusion
********
Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.
Strawberry.me. Get 50% off your first coaching session today at Strawberry.me/smart
Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.