Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques25 Helmi 2025

188. Mind Reading 101: To Know What Your Audience Thinks, Just Ask

How to really know what your audience is thinking.

To be a great communicator, you have to get out of your own head. But that’s not all, says Matt Lieberman. According to him, you also have to get into the head of someone else.

“Mind-reading is this remarkable ability that humans have,” explains Lieberman, a professor of psychology, director of UCLA’s Social Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, and author of Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect. But even as we engage in perspective-taking, Lieberman says our attempts to mind-read often miss the mark. Instead, he advocates for “perspective-getting” — where we don’t just intuit what others think, we ask them directly. “That is where more productive conversation comes from,” he says.

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Lieberman and host Matt Abrahams explore insights from social neuroscience that can help us communicate more effectively. From understanding how our brains process social interactions to recognizing our own assumptions, he reveals why successful communication requires both humility and genuine curiosity about how others see the world.

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Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(00:51) - The Social Brain
(03:52) - Neuroscience in Business
(05:51) - The Science of Persuasion
(10:23) - Social Pain & Connection
(13:41) - Tackling Loneliness
(16:33) - The Final Three Questions
(22:38) - Conclusion

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322. Talk Back: Why Arguing With Yourself Can Help You Flourish

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10 Syys 21min

321. The Respect Effect: What Stereotype Threat Teaches Us About Communication

“Everybody you interact with needs that signal of respect.”Feeling seen and respected can shape how we communicate and connect with others. For Stanford social psychologist and author of Churn: The Te...

7 Syys 20min

320. Quick Thinks: How to Prepare, Stand Out, and Ace Your Interview

“The ability to handle yourself in interviews and other high-pressure situations can make the difference in getting the job and achieving your goals.”A successful interview is more than answering ques...

3 Syys 17min