Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

Episode 242: Tech Tools – The Power of Showing, Not Telling
Host: Matt Abrahams
Guest: Joe Thomas, Co-founder & CEO of Loom (part of Atlassian)
Date: November 13, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, part of the Tech Tools miniseries, explores how video communication tools—specifically Loom—can enhance clarity, connection, and effectiveness in modern workplaces. Host Matt Abrahams interviews Joe Thomas, Loom’s CEO, diving into the reasons behind Loom's creation, best practices for leveraging asynchronous video, and actionable communication techniques that help professionals “show, not just tell.” The discussion focuses on authenticity, conciseness, and clarity as core tenets of effective digital communication.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What is Loom? (01:18–02:27)

• Elevator Pitch: Loom allows users to record quick videos—including their screen and a camera bubble—that are instantly shareable for communicating complex ideas asynchronously.
  • Joe Thomas: “What if you could record a quick video showing your screen, including a camera bubble where the video is instantly ready to share, to communicate complex ideas… so that you can save time, reduce misunderstandings, and build stronger connections…” (01:33)
• AI-Enabled Features: Loom uses AI to transcribe videos, autogenerate titles, summaries, chapters, and action items. It also polishes recordings by removing filler words and silences.
• No Editing Skills Required: Designed to be accessible for all users.

2. Origins & Motivation Behind Loom (02:27–03:50)

• Gap in the Workplace: Founders noticed video was everywhere in consumer life but missing in business communication. Early workarounds were cumbersome and time-consuming.
  • Joe Thomas: “We felt like there was a ton of latent potential within this space to bring video recording and sharing to the workplace…” (02:54)
• Asynchronous Communication: The core thesis became enabling “Async video” to help teams work and communicate without being present at the same time.

3. Best Practices for Integrating Video into Workflows (04:25–06:14)

• Show, Don’t Tell:
  • 93% of Loom users include screen-sharing, highlighting the move beyond “talking heads.”
  • Joe Thomas: “That allows people to show their work, not just tell about it.” (04:37)
• Keep It Concise: Loom offers a free tier with a five-minute recording limit—encouraging brevity and focus.
  • “We have had a lot of people talk about the fact that should be a paid feature…” (05:08)
• Be Authentic: Recording allows self-review and improvement, but users are encouraged to embrace their real selves; authenticity builds trust.
  • “Just be authentic and lean into that authenticity. And that’s what really resonates and builds trust with people.” (05:18)
• Async Video is a Skill: Regular use and self-review help users become better communicators.
  • “Because pain is gain. And so just think of Async video as a skill.” (06:09)

4. Personal and Organizational Development via Video (06:14–07:50)

• Self-Improvement: Watching your own recordings—while uncomfortable—is invaluable, akin to athletes reviewing game footage.
  • Matt Abrahams: “All athletes watch their videos. Coaches use those videos to help the athletes. It’s a great skill.” (06:47)
• Embracing “Video as Practice”: Emphasizes the value of trying and iterating using video as a feedback tool.

5. Notable Communicators & Leadership Techniques (09:24–12:30)

• Communicator Admired: Joe Thomas cites Steve Jobs, especially for informal Q&As and his willingness to pause and think.
  • “Mike, the CEO of Atlassian, does something very similar to Steve in our town halls where he’ll pause and he’ll really think about an answer for 10, 15 seconds, which seems like an eternity, right? But that allows him to shape the communication in his head …” (09:51)
• Leadership Hack – Do, Try, Consider Framework:
  • Do: Use rarely—firm action required.
  • Try: Suggestions to be experimented with.
  • Consider: Ideas meant as additional data points (~80–85% of feedback).
  • Joe Thomas: “It actually radically changed my ability to share feedback in a higher volume, while also knowing that I trust that it’s not going to be misconstrued…” (11:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On recording and self-review:
  “Because pain is gain. And so just think of Async video as a skill.”
  — Joe Thomas (06:09)

• On authenticity:
  “Just be authentic and lean into that authenticity. And that’s what really resonates and builds trust with people.”
  — Joe Thomas (05:18)

• On workplace communication habits:
  “Many leaders, when they will say things, people take it as a do when in fact it was meant as a try or consider. It’s the preamble that you give to your comment that helps people understand.”
  — Matt Abrahams (12:30)

• On the value of conciseness:
  “I love that you have a feature. I wish we could build that into everyday interaction. Wouldn’t that be great?”
  — Matt Abrahams (06:59)

• On Steve Jobs as a communicator:
  “He’ll pause and he’ll really think about an answer for 10, 15 seconds, which seems like an eternity, right? But that allows him to shape the communication in his head such that it is thoughtful, but it is also not skirting around what the real answer is, like the no BS answer.”
  — Joe Thomas (09:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Loom’s Elevator Pitch & Features: 01:18–02:27
• Why Loom was Created / Early Challenges: 02:27–03:50
• Best Practices for Video Communication: 04:25–06:14
• Importance of Authenticity & Self-Review: 06:14–07:50
• Influential Communicators (Steve Jobs): 09:24–10:19
• Leadership Communication Hack (Do, Try, Consider): 10:52–12:30

Episode Takeaways

• Show, Don’t Just Tell: Emphasize visual communication; use video not just to talk, but to demonstrate.
• Conciseness Drives Clarity: Tools and intentional limits can help keep communications efficient and to the point.
• Authenticity Matters: People value and trust real, unpolished communication.
• Async Video is Teachable: With practice and review, anyone can raise their communication game.
• Leadership Communication Needs Framing: Frameworks like Do, Try, Consider reduce misunderstanding and boost effectiveness.

This summary encapsulates the core insights and actionable advice from Episode 242 of Think Fast, Talk Smart—making it useful for listeners and non-listeners alike who seek to improve their communication skills using modern tech tools.