Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

175. Mastering Toasts and Tributes: Making Your Words Count


Listen Later

Crafting impactful toasts for every occasion.

"Almost reflexively, most of us focus in the moment on how others are perceiving us, yet these situations aren't about us at all." Matt Abrahams, host of Think Fast, Talk Smart, shares an excerpt from his book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot, on the art of delivering effective toasts and tributes. With a focus on public speaking in celebratory contexts, he offers a structured approach to crafting meaningful remarks.
Matt introduces the WHAT structure—a four-part formula designed to guide speakers through the process. This method helps ensure that the focus remains on the honorees, transforming speeches into gifts for the audience. He further shares tips for refining remarks, including the importance of brevity and the need to prepare for emotional moments. Matt advises, "Be brief and to the point. Long toasts, tributes, or introductions are usually bad ones." He also highlights the significance of setting others up for success, ensuring a smooth flow for subsequent speakers.
With insights from his book and practical examples, Matt equips listeners with the tools to deliver impactful toasts and tributes, making these moments memorable for all involved.

Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from THINK FASTER, TALK SMARTER by Matt Abrahams, read by the author. Copyright 2023 by Matthew Abrahams LLC. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc.


Episode Reference Links:

  • Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot


Connect:

  • Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium
  • Email Questions & Feedback >>> [email protected]
  • Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
  • Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io
  • Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube
  • Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (01:17) - Key Insight: Toasts, Tributes, and Introductions
  • (02:48) - Why it Matters
  • (03:38) - Craft Your Content
  • (04:49) - Step One: Why Are We Here?
  • (05:33) - Step Two: How Are You Connected?
  • (06:24) - Step Three: Anecdotes or Learnings
  • (07:32) - Step Four: Thank
  • (08:14) - Refine Your Remarks
  • (08:41) - Tip One: Be Brief and to the Point
  • (09:31) - Tip Two: Prepare to be Emotional
  • (11:23) - Tip Three: Shine the Spotlight Away From You
  • (11:53) - Tip Four: Make Your Anecdotes Accessible and Appropriate
  • (12:23) - Tip Five: Strive for Unity
  • (13:46) - Tip Six: Set Others Up for Success
  • (14:39) - Conclusion

  •  ********
    Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.  

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication TechniquesBy Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart

    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    658 ratings


    More shows like Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

    View all
    HBR IdeaCast by Harvard Business Review

    HBR IdeaCast

    1,849 Listeners

    TED Talks Daily by TED

    TED Talks Daily

    11,177 Listeners

    The McKinsey Podcast by McKinsey & Company

    The McKinsey Podcast

    386 Listeners

    TED Business by TED

    TED Business

    1,122 Listeners

    All Ears English Podcast by Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan

    All Ears English Podcast

    2,297 Listeners

    Round Table China by China Plus

    Round Table China

    148 Listeners

    Cold Call by HBR Presents / Brian Kenny

    Cold Call

    191 Listeners

    Women at Work by Harvard Business Review

    Women at Work

    1,406 Listeners

    After Hours by TED Audio Collective / Youngme Moon, Mihir Desai, & Felix Oberholzer-Gee

    After Hours

    1,262 Listeners

    HBS Managing the Future of Work by Harvard Business School

    HBS Managing the Future of Work

    108 Listeners

    Confident Business English by Anna Connelly

    Confident Business English

    135 Listeners

    Coaching Real Leaders by Harvard Business Review / Muriel Wilkins

    Coaching Real Leaders

    641 Listeners

    Business English from All Ears English by Lindsay McMahon

    Business English from All Ears English

    85 Listeners

    HBR On Strategy by Harvard Business Review

    HBR On Strategy

    79 Listeners

    HBR On Leadership by Harvard Business Review

    HBR On Leadership

    149 Listeners