Research Podcast

"Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques"

"Episode Quick Thinks: How to Shine Online and Excel at Virtual Communication"

In today's world of communication, the transition to virtual platforms has changed how we interact and engage with others. Whether it's a business meeting or a class lecture, shifting to remote communication has introduced new challenges and opportunities. I came across one podcast by the Stanford Graduate School of Business called "Think Fast, Talk Smart," which discusses these changes and gives valuable tips to improve online communication. 

The title of the episode I focused on is "How to Shine Online and Excel at Virtual Communication," which

dived into the importance of effective virtual communication, offering tips and strategies that align with concepts discussed in our online communication class. One such concept was the idea of self-disclosure, which is the intentional revealing of personal information (Green, 2017). As discussed in class, self-disclosure is crucial in building connections and developing understanding. The podcast emphasizes the importance of this concept by mentioning the need to engage and reveal relevant information every 10-15 minutes during a virtual interaction, emphasizing the idea of intentional revelations to maintain audience interest (Abrahams, 2021).

Another exciting part was the discussion on privacy management. In class, we explored Sandra Petronio's Communication Privacy Management (CPM) theory, which focuses on setting boundaries for sharing private information (Green, 2017). The podcast discussed this by highlighting the importance of controlling privacy boundaries in online interactions and suggesting implementing rules for sharing personal information on online platforms. 

Furthermore, the podcast provided touched on the professional aspect of virtual communication. Its focus was on the significance of attire, video backgrounds, and delivery methods, which aligns with our discussions about the visual elements of communication and their impact on audience perception. The emphasis on dressing professionally and choosing an appropriate background and lighting resembles what we discussed when completing our major assignment #1. 

In both the podcast "Think Fast, Talk Smart" and our classroom discussions, avoiding information overload is one of the critical aspects of effective communication. This principle depicts the significance of presenting information in a digestible and engaging manner for the audience. 

What I found most useful and interesting about the podcast was how it integrated concepts we learned with practical strategies. It wasn't just about understanding the theory behind communication; it was about applying these theories effectively in the real world.

(Link to the "Think Fast, Talk Smart" podcast episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/19uW3rmMNnjcswqi5cOrNV?si=Cy4zUKUMS_OgLVfZt5QOtQ&nd=1&dlsi=e6f2b8f058cd4cbb)

Citation

Green, J. M. (2017). Communicating online. McGraw Hill Education Create. 

Abrahams, M. (Host). (2021). Quick Thinks: How to Shine Online and Excel at Virtual Communication 

[Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/episode/19uW3rmMNnjcswqi5cOrNV?si=Cy4zUKUMS_OgLVfZt5QOtQ&nd=1&dlsi=e6f2b8f058cd4cbb