How to Speak Clearly & With Confidence | Matt Abrahams
Huberman Lab
Nov 17
How to Speak Clearly & With Confidence | Matt Abrahams
How to Speak Clearly & With Confidence | Matt Abrahams
Huberman Lab
Nov 17
In this insightful conversation, communication expert Matt Abrahams joins Andrew Huberman to explore the science and practice of effective speaking. The discussion goes beyond traditional public speaking advice, focusing on psychological, physiological, and strategic tools that enhance clarity, connection, and authenticity across all forms of communication.
Matt Abrahams shares evidence-based techniques to improve communication in both personal and professional settings. He emphasizes connecting with audiences before establishing credibility, using structured frameworks like 'What? So what? Now what?' to organize messages, and reducing reliance on memorization by adopting flexible roadmaps. Strategies such as improvisation, breathwork, and physical movement help manage anxiety and prevent blanking out during speeches. The conversation highlights the importance of audience adaptation, active listening, and curiosity—especially across generational and cultural divides. Tools like the Object Relabeling Exercise, Communication Reflection Journal, and Non-Sleep Deep Rest support skill development and mental preparation. Abrahams also discusses how storytelling, prosody, and strategic pauses enhance engagement, while advocating for authenticity over perfection. Whether speaking one-on-one or on stage, deliberate practice, self-awareness, and resilience in the face of mistakes are key to growth. Physical disciplines like martial arts are presented as metaphors for mastering presence and responsiveness in communication.
01:30
01:30
Avoid memorizing speeches; use a simple roadmap instead.
05:40
05:40
Start with connection, not credentials—engage the audience like an action movie.
09:05
09:05
Children excel at improvisational tasks because they have fewer inhibitions and don't over-monitor their performance.
15:40
15:40
Wordless Lego manuals use rhythmic steps to build motivation and accomplishment.
22:19
22:19
Understanding the audience determines how much information to provide.
23:26
23:26
Success in communication means the audience can act on the message, not just receive it.
24:25
24:25
Heuristics are unconscious tools that reduce uncertainty but can lead to unproductive thinking patterns.
30:18
30:18
Our brains understand stories better than random lists.
37:09
37:09
Borrowing ideas from others is better than just copying.
42:06
42:06
Stand still when landing a punchline to maximize impact
48:40
48:40
Ask questions and observe to make conversations more fluid and comfortable
50:32
50:32
A good speaker acts as a tour guide, guiding the audience and ensuring they gain value.
1:00:55
1:00:55
VR tools allow practicing presentations with a simulated audience and customizable responses.
1:01:47
1:01:47
Improv games enhance in-the-moment processing and are used in Stanford business courses
1:09:36
1:09:36
Being good at conversation doesn't automatically make you a good speaker; the skills partially overlap.
1:11:00
1:11:00
Mateína is now in Whole Foods nationwide with zero sugar and natural energy benefits.
1:14:52
1:14:52
Editing skills train the brain to focus information and respond effectively to questions.
1:16:30
1:16:30
A talk using music and oil droplet visuals led to a MacArthur Genius Award.
1:21:20
1:21:20
Improv helps uncover personal strengths and comfort levels in communication.
1:28:18
1:28:18
Mark Zilka calmly continued his talk after spilling water on his laptop at Stanford.
1:30:32
1:30:32
Deliberate long exhales slow heart rate and calm the nervous system
1:34:32
1:34:32
Non-sleep deep rest (NSDR) or yoga nidra can help recover from sleep loss and improve alertness for public speaking.
1:44:43
1:44:43
Start self-introductions with what you're passionate about, not your name
1:53:59
1:53:59
The pandemic deprived Gen Z of critical in-person communication experiences
1:56:04
1:56:04
Effective communication involves listening, not just speaking
2:03:38
2:03:38
Sparring in martial arts trains spontaneous communication like impromptu speaking
2:06:49
2:06:49
Non-native speakers should focus on getting messages across, not sounding like natives.
2:10:17
2:10:17
A goal has three parts: information, emotion, and action.
2:10:57
2:10:57
Envisioning positive outcomes helps reduce anxiety in public speaking.
2:15:43
2:15:43
Tell the time, not build the clock—get the bottom line up front.
2:17:30
2:17:30
Use 'tell me more' to draw out clearer responses from poor communicators
2:19:49
2:19:49
Creating an anxiety management plan helps reduce anxiety in high-pressure communication.
