Effective Speaking in Spontaneous Situations - Matt Abrahams - Stanford University

You Tube Video

One of the best presentations i come across in youtube on effective speaking Spontaneously. 

He started with a question to find number of F's in the below sentence

"Finished files are the result of years of scientif-ic study combined with the experience of many years"

For better speak one should always control their anxiety, treat as a conversation than performing infront of audience. 

In this video, Matt suggested the below step by step approach to improve speaking spontaneously. 

Step1: Get out of our own way or comfort zone (Dare to be dull)

• We always wanted to give right answer, do right.  
• We want to do right.
• We want our toast to be incredibly memorable
• Over analyze 
• Call them with a wrong name 
• Be in present moment 

He further conducted an activity to point out different things with no patters or no specific order. This activity helps in train our memory to react to spontaneous events/situations. 

"Dare to be dull" - Maxim improvisation. This helps, rather than strive for greatness, try date to be dull. 

Step2: Take it as an opportunity than an obligation/challenge or threat. (Look at as giving gift)

• When your boss asked you talk about something, take it as an opportunity rather than an obligation. It eases pressure on individual, helps coming out of do right mindset. 
• If we see it as an opportunity, it helps framing the story better 
• He further conducted an activity - receiving virtual gifts between two partners 
• Partner A giving the Gift - Part B to mention what he/she felt about the gift
• Partner A to respond to Partner B spontaneously (I knew you liked it, i knew you liked this holiday break to enjoy leisure time)

Step3: Slow down and Listen

Matt talked about communicating with spelling (F-O-C-U-S O-N I-N-N-O-V-A-T-I-O-N) as an activity 

• Unless we clearly focus on the other person, we will not be able to respond back with spelling. So it is a perfect activity on being a good listener
• You have to be at the moment , don't think ahead rather truly understand what the other person is trying to say. This will help in giving more appropriate or targeted response to the other person 
• Slowdown, take a pause
• before responding, rephrase the question to give you enough time to articulate your answer 

Step4:  Structured communication to tell a story 

Respond to a question in a structured way. 

There are two proven methods to communicate a message. We process 40% more than structure way than unstructured communication. 

1. Problem , Solution and Benefits/Summary 

2. What, so What , Then What 

Post this, Mr.Matt had conducted an activity to sell a product (Slinky) to their partner by using the above structured way of communication.