Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

214. From Crisis to Clarity: Simplicity, Feedback, and the Art of Being Heard


Listen Later

How to communicate clearly in any context, from newsrooms to the world stage.


All good communication, whether spoken or written, is built on the same foundation. In everything from police reporting for a newspaper to serving as spokesman for the Pope, Greg Burke has found the key: "Keep it as simple as possible."

Burke has worked as a journalist for Time Magazine and Fox News, as Director of Communications at IESE Business School in Barcelona and Madrid, and even as a communications advisor and spokesman for the Vatican. Across his varied experiences, he’s found that the biggest communication challenges often require the simplest solutions. From expressing “curiosity and real interest” in those we’re speaking with to ensuring our messages are “clear, consistent, and timely,” he advocates for core principles that apply in all types of communication.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Burke and host Matt Abrahams discuss communication strategies that work whether you’re presenting to a team of five or millions of parishioners worldwide. As Burke shares, it’s all very simple: “Know your audience, practice, and have fun.”

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium

Episode Reference Links:

  • Greg Burke
  • Ep.22 Under Pressure: How to Communicate Clearly and Timely During a Crisis 
     

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
  • (02:31) - Asking Good Questions
  • (03:31) - Writing Clearly and Concretely
  • (05:10) - Editing and AI’s Role in Writing
  • (06:26) - Three Keys to Great Communication
  • (08:15) - The Importance of Feedback
  • (09:55) - Communication at the Vatican
  • (12:39) - Crisis Communication: Lessons from the Vatican
  • (15:41) - The Final Three Questions
  • (22:17) - Conclusion

  •   ********
    This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Let Grammarly take the busywork off your plate so you can focus on high-impact work. Download Grammarly for free today

    ...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

    702 ratings


    More shows like Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

    View all
    TED Talks Daily by TED

    TED Talks Daily

    11,038 Listeners

    The McKinsey Podcast by McKinsey & Company

    The McKinsey Podcast

    389 Listeners

    HBR IdeaCast by Harvard Business Review

    HBR IdeaCast

    166 Listeners

    All Ears English Podcast by Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan

    All Ears English Podcast

    2,254 Listeners

    TED Business by TED

    TED Business

    1,105 Listeners

    Cold Call by HBR Presents / Brian Kenny

    Cold Call

    195 Listeners

    Women at Work by Harvard Business Review

    Women at Work

    1,377 Listeners

    HBS Managing the Future of Work by Harvard Business School

    HBS Managing the Future of Work

    106 Listeners

    Confident Business English by Anna Connelly

    Confident Business English

    154 Listeners

    How to Be a Better Human by TED

    How to Be a Better Human

    1,395 Listeners

    Coaching Real Leaders by Harvard Business Review / Muriel Wilkins

    Coaching Real Leaders

    673 Listeners

    The So What from BCG by Boston Consulting Group BCG

    The So What from BCG

    219 Listeners

    Business English from All Ears English by Lindsay McMahon

    Business English from All Ears English

    74 Listeners

    HBR On Strategy by Harvard Business Review

    HBR On Strategy

    81 Listeners

    HBR On Leadership by Harvard Business Review

    HBR On Leadership

    165 Listeners