Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

193. Conquer questions: ADDing Value To Your Answers


Listen Later

Turn Q&A from nerve-wracking to confidence-boosting with strategies for clear, controlled answers.

A great presentation doesn’t end with the final slide—it continues through the Q&A, where real engagement happens. Yet, for many speakers, this is the most nerve-wracking part. In this episode, Matt Abrahams explores why Q&A can feel intimidating and how shifting your mindset can turn it into an opportunity rather than a challenge. Drawing from his book, Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, he shares expert-backed techniques for structuring responses, managing audience expectations, and maintaining composure under pressure. Whether you're facing a tough crowd or just want to refine your speaking skills, you’ll walk away with the confidence to command the room—no matter the question.

Audio excerpt based on Speaking Up without Freaking Out by Matt Abrahams (printed book by Kendall Hunt Publishing 2016), read by the author. Copyright 2024 by Matthew Abrahams LLC.

Episode Reference Links:

  • Speaking Up Without Freaking Out | Audio Book 
  • Speaking Up Without Freaking Out

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
  • (02:04) - The Challenge of Q&A
  • (03:02) - Preparing for Q&A in Advance
  • (03:42) - When to Take Questions
  • (04:31) - How to Ask for Questions Effectively
  • (05:34) - Audience Anxiety in Q&A
  • (06:49) - Managing Questions Efficiently
  • (07:50) - Answering Questions with Confidence
  • (09:03) - The ADD Method for Answering Questions
  • (10:16) - Closing Your Q&A with Impact
  • (11:10) - Conclusion

  • Join our upcoming 200th episode live event April 14 & 15
    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

    644 ratings


    More shows like Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

    View all
    HBR IdeaCast by Harvard Business Review

    HBR IdeaCast

    237 Listeners

    TED Talks Daily by TED

    TED Talks Daily

    11,414 Listeners

    The McKinsey Podcast by McKinsey & Company

    The McKinsey Podcast

    381 Listeners

    TED Business by TED

    TED Business

    1,134 Listeners

    All Ears English Podcast by Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan

    All Ears English Podcast

    2,275 Listeners

    The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving by FirmsConsulting.com & StrategyTraining.com

    The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

    111 Listeners

    Cold Call by HBR Presents / Brian Kenny

    Cold Call

    189 Listeners

    Women at Work by Harvard Business Review

    Women at Work

    1,371 Listeners

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

    After Hours

    1,258 Listeners

    HBS Managing the Future of Work by Harvard Business School

    HBS Managing the Future of Work

    107 Listeners

    How to Be a Better Human by TED

    How to Be a Better Human

    1,389 Listeners

    Coaching Real Leaders by Harvard Business Review / Muriel Wilkins

    Coaching Real Leaders

    591 Listeners

    The So What from BCG by Boston Consulting Group BCG

    The So What from BCG

    219 Listeners

    HBR On Strategy by Harvard Business Review

    HBR On Strategy

    79 Listeners

    HBR On Leadership by Harvard Business Review

    HBR On Leadership

    131 Listeners