Legendary Philosopher Voltaire Reveals the One Sign of High Intelligence

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According to legendary philosopher Voltaire, the one sign that someone is highly intelligent is their ability to remain calm and composed when put on the spot. Stanford professor Matt Abrahams has developed a six-step system to help people handle high-pressure communication moments, from taming anxiety to staying focused on the task at hand.

Why it matters

Being able to communicate effectively under pressure is an important skill, whether in the workplace, in social settings, or in public speaking. Abrahams' techniques can help people of all backgrounds and experience levels improve their ability to think clearly and respond thoughtfully when suddenly asked to contribute or perform.

The details

Abrahams' six-step system includes: 1) Calming anxiety through deep breathing and staying present; 2) Aiming for 'good enough' rather than perfection to avoid overthinking; 3) Reframing problems as opportunities rather than threats; 4) Listening actively before responding; 5) Using a simple 'what, so what, now what' structure to organize thoughts; and 6) Staying focused on the key points you want to convey. He emphasizes that the only way to truly improve communication skills is through practice, reflection, and feedback.

• Abrahams teaches at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Abrahams recommends that people start small by practicing his techniques in low-stakes situations, such as before an upcoming meeting, and gradually build up their communication skills through repetition and feedback.