167. Hollywood Lessons For Successful Communication

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Beyond the Big Screen.

Every business meeting, product launch, or marketing communication has something in common with your favorite movie: they all succeed or fail based on their ability to make you feel something. Just ask Jeff Small, CEO of Amblin Partners.

"Good stories win," says Small, who leads one of the world's most renowned independent film and television companies alongside Steven Spielberg. As both a business leader and storytelling expert, Small knows that successful communication is built on person-to-person connection through the power of story. "Whatever walk of life you're in, you have to be able to tell a story to connect with people, to get across the message that you're trying to get across."

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Small joins host Matt Abrahams to share insights from his experience at the intersection of creativity and commerce, unpacking how effective storytelling can transform your communication, whether leading teams through industry disruption, resolving conflicts at work and at home, or creating films to inspire audiences for generations to come.

Episode Reference Links:

• Jeff Small
• Ep.153 Listen Up, Leaders: A Record-Setting Coach’s Guide to Communication
• Ep.35 Leading From The Hot Seat: How To Communicate Under Pressure

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• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (01:48) - What Makes a Good Story?
• (02:41) - Bringing Emotion into Communication
• (03:17) - Storytelling Across Professions
• (05:21) - Crafting an Effective Story
• (07:07) - Uniqueness in Storytelling
• (08:10) - Balancing Creativity and Business
• (09:39) - Managing Conflict with Connection
• (11:28) - Screen Time and Family
• (13:08) - Navigating Industry Change
• (15:28) - The Final Three Questions
• (21:53) - Conclusion