Crafting impactful toasts for very 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 >>> 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

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:38) - Key Insight: Toasts, Tributes, and Introductions
• (03:09) - Why it Matters
• (03:59) - Craft Your Content
• (05:10) - Step One: Why Are We Here?
• (05:54) - Step Two: How Are You Connected?
• (06:45) - Step Three: Anecdotes or Learnings
• (07:53) - Step Four: Thank
• (08:35) - Refine Your Remarks
• (09:02) - Tip One: Be Brief and to the Point
• (09:52) - Tip Two: Prepare to be Emotional
• (11:44) - Tip Three: Shine the Spotlight Away From You
• (12:14) - Tip Four: Make Your Anecdotes Accessible and Appropriate
• (12:44) - Tip Five: Strive for Unity
• (14:07) - Tip Six: Set Others Up for Success
• (15:00) - Conclusion

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Turn any meeting or get-together into a chance for deep connection and collaboration.

Whether you’re holding a team meeting or hosting a family get-together, the success of any gathering, says Priya Parker, isn’t about the perfect agenda or venue, but about the intentionality behind how you bring people together.

“90% of the success of any gathering happens before anyone enters the room,” says Parker. As the author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, and a strategic advisor who has helped organizations worldwide reimagine their gatherings, Parker believes that thoughtful preparation can turn any meeting, whether professional or personal, into a meaningful and memorable experience for all involved. “Intentionality is the first step,” she says, “to pause and ask: why are we doing this? What is the purpose? What is the need in this community or in this classroom or in this team?”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Parker joins Matt Abrahams to explore the art of meaningful gatherings, sharing practical strategies for everything from crafting invitations that prime engagement to designing powerful closings that leave a lasting impact. By being more thoughtful in bringing people together, we can transform ordinary meetings into extraordinary opportunities for connection and collaboration.

Episode Reference Links:

• Priya Parker
• Priya’s Book: The Art of Gathering
• Ep.124 Making Meetings Meaningful, Pt. 1: How to Structure and Organize More Effective Gatherings
• Ep.125 Making Meetings Meaningful, Pt. 2: Key Ingredients for Effective Meetings

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

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (00:49) - Intentionality in Everyday Conversations
• (02:35) - Questioning the Purpose of Gatherings
• (04:43) - The Power of Great Questions
• (07:46) - Managing Heat in Conversations
• (09:55) - Encouraging Participation Beforehand
• (12:35) - Creating Impactful Endings
• (15:01) - The Final Three Questions
• (17:55) - Conclusion

Master holiday conversations.

The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and, occasionally, communication challenges and as we gather with family, friends, and colleagues, effective communication becomes crucial. To help make this time more enjoyable, this special Think Fast Talk Smart “Rethinks” episode revisits favorite “recipes” from past Stanford guests along with Matt’s advice for tackling three common holiday scenarios: contributing effectively to ongoing conversations, engaging in meaningful small talk, and managing conflict with clarity and empathy. Whether it's making small talk or resolving conflicts, these strategies aim to turn holiday communication hurdles into opportunities for connection and collaboration.

Episode Reference Links:

• Ep.169 Don't Be a ZQ: Make Your Conversations Count

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

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:59) - Challenge 1: Inserting Your Voice into Conversations
• (03:14) - Expert Insights on Inserting Ideas
• (05:00) - Challenge 2: Mastering Small Talk
• (06:36) - Expert Strategies for Small Talk
• (08:38) - Challenge 3: Managing Holiday Conflicts
• (10:25) - Expert Tips for Conflict Resolution
• (12:02) - Conclusion