Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

How leaders can foster cultures and environments where innovation thrives.

Show Notes

Become a Faster Smarter Supporter by joining TFTS Premium.

So you want to lead your team toward innovation. Does that require that you know where you’re going? Not according to Linda Hill.
Hill is a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School whose research focuses on leadership and how organizations achieve innovation. When it comes to generating breakthrough ideas, Hill says it’s less about a creative vision and more about stepping into the unknown. “Innovation [is] not about an individual coming up with a new idea,” she says. “Instead, innovation is the result of the collaboration of people with diverse expertise and diverse perspectives coming together, being able to collaborate, being able to experiment together and learn.”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Hill and host Matt Abrahams discuss how leaders can foster cultures and environments where innovation thrives — where teams use communication and collaboration to “co-create the future.”

Episode Reference Links:

Connect:

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction
Host Matt Abrahams introduces guest Linda Hill, an expert in leadership development and innovation from Harvard Business School.
(00:01:10) Leading for Innovation vs. Leading for Change
Fundamental differences between leading for innovation and for change, and the unique challenges required for innovation.
(00:02:53) Creating a Culture of Innovation
The essential components of a culture that promotes innovation, with focus on communication and collaboration.
(00:06:21) The Role of Shared Values and Purpose in Innovation
Shared values, and the distinction between vision and purpose within innovative organizations.
(00:09:43) Communication's Impact on Innovation
How effective communication facilitates innovation, including strategies for engaging diverse teams and the significance of storytelling.
(00:14:30) Conflict and Creativity in Collaborative Environments
The value of conflict in innovation, and how managing disagreements and diverse viewpoints can lead to more creative solutions.
(00:16:06) The Final Three Questions
Linda Hill shares practices to foster collaboration with others, a communicator she admires, and her ingredients for successful communication.
(00:19:54) Conclusion

Creators & Guests

Host
Matt Abrahams
Lecturer Stanford University Graduate School of Business | Think Fast Talk Smart podcast host

What is Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques?

Join Matt Abrahams, a lecturer of Strategic Communication at Stanford Graduate School of Business, every Tuesday as he sits down with experts in the field to discuss real-world challenges.
How do I send my message clearly when put on the spot? How do I write emails to get my point across? How can I easily convey complex information? How do I manage my reputation? Whether you’re giving a toast or presenting in a meeting, communication is critical to success in business and in life.
Think Fast, Talk Smart provides the tools, techniques, and best practices to help you communicate more effectively.
Learn more & sign up for our eNewsletter: https://fastersmarter.io