Great strategy starts with a question—and a story worth believing in. A good strategy isn’t just built—it’s told. For Martin Reeves , chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and author of The Imagination Machine and Like: The Button That Changed the World , strategy and imagination are both deeply communicative processes, rooted in storytelling, curiosity, and the courage to reframe assumptions. “A strategy is really just a special kind of story,” Reeves explains. “It begins with the present and aspires to a different future—it’s fiction made actionable.” To bring that fiction to life, leaders must involve their teams in a co-creative journey and use thoughtful questions to shape not just ideas, but belief and action. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart , Reeves joins Matt Abrahams to explore how communication fuels strategic thinking, innovation, and organizational reinvention. He outlines his six-step framework for imagination—from embracing anomalies to codifying and continuing ideas—and underscores the role of reframing, deep listening, and even levity in solving complex problems. Together, they unpack how a single “like” button changed our digital behaviors—and what it teaches us about influence and attention today. Episode Reference Links: Martin Reeves Martin’s Books: Like / The Imagination Machine Ep.71 Strategy Success: How to Communicate Your Gameplan Connect: Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart Premium Email Questions & Feedback >>>
[email protected] Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.io Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn , Instagram , YouTube Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:58) - Using Story in Strategy (05:39) - Questions as a Communication Technology (06:54) - The Six Steps to Harnessing Imagination (11:15) - The “7 Cs” of Imagination and Communication (12:47) - Reframing as a Creative Tool (14:50) - The Like Button: Origin and Evolution (16:53) - Brain Chemistry Behind Digital Liking (18:51) - The Final Three Questions (24:55) - Conclusion ******** Thank you to our sponsors. These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost. Go to Quince.com/ThinkFast for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Join our Think Fast Talk Smart Learning Community and become the communicator you want to be.
