"If these masters are still continually trying to improve their own craft, I don't have any excuses."

The world's best don't reach the top and stop learning—they keep refining their craft. David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass, has spent years sitting across from elite performers, athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs—and he’s discovered that excellence is less about talent than a relentless commitment to growth. In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, he joins Matt Abrahams to share lessons from building a company around learning, persuasion, and communication. From earning the trust of high-profile talent to leading creative and technical teams, Rogier reveals why curiosity, adaptability, and authentic relationship-building are essential communication skills.

Takeaways:

• Lead with curiosity. Build trust by asking thoughtful questions and focusing on the other person's needs, not your own.
• Never stop improving. The world's top performers continuously seek feedback, refine their skills, and embrace lifelong learning.

Activity:

• Study an expert. Watch a communicator you admire—a speaker, leader, or interviewer—and identify three techniques they use to engage their audience. Try incorporating one of those techniques into your next presentation or meeting.

Episode Reference Links:

• David Rogier
• Matt’s MasterClass

Connect:

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• Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (00:39) - The Power of Learning
• (01:28) - Building Trust
• (04:21) - Creating Great Content
• (07:23) - Leading Different Teams
• (09:45) - Learning from Masters
• (10:54) - Communicating with a Stutter
• (14:00) - The Final Three Questions
• (17:39) - Conclusion

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