How to speak more confidently and persuasively | Matt Abrahams (professor, podcast host, author, speaker)

Public speaking anxiety and spontaneous communication skills are essential professional tools that can be mastered through deliberate practice and structured frameworks. Stanford professor Matt Abrahams explains that anxiety is a natural human response, which can be managed by reframing physiological arousal as excitement and utilizing visualization to desensitize the brain to high-stakes environments. To improve spontaneous speaking—such as giving feedback, toasts, or handling Q&A—speakers should move away from unstructured lists and adopt logical frameworks like "What, So What, Now What" or "PREP" (Point, Reason, Example, Point). These structures reduce cognitive load, allowing for clearer, more impactful delivery. Additionally, adopting a "be interested, not interesting" mindset during small talk and utilizing breathing techniques like the double exhale can further stabilize performance and foster genuine connection in professional settings.