Become a more effective communicator by absorbing several practical tips from Matt Abrahams, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot. Matt is a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, where he researches and shares practical ways to improve how you communicate with others. He explains that talking faster is about recognizing patterns and being able to respond appropriately in the moment by being more deliberate and intentional. He also shares tips for connecting with an audience, including making the content relevant, using engaging tools like stories and questions, and using language that creates a mental image for the audience.

• Listen Like a Leader: Read our guide to learn how to listen and then pick one or two skills you can start building this week.