Introduction

Using Story in Strategy

Questions as a Communication Technology

The Six Steps to Harnessing Imagination

The “7 Cs” of Imagination and Communication

Reframing as a Creative Tool

The Like Button: Origin and Evolution

Brain Chemistry Behind Digital Liking

The Final Three Questions

Conclusion

Great strategy starts with a question—and a story worth believing in. A good strategy isn’t just built—it’s told. For <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/martin-reeves/">Martin Reeves</a>, chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and author of <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/imagination-machine/">The Imagination Machine</a> and <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/like/">Like: The Button That Changed the World</a>, 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 <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/">Think Fast, Talk Smart</a>, 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:<ul><li><a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/martin-reeves/">Martin Reeves</a> </li><li>Martin’s Books: <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/like/">Like</a> / <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/imagination-machine/">The Imagination Machine</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/71-strategy-success-how-to-communicate-your-gameplan/">Ep.71 Strategy Success: How to Communicate Your Gameplan</a> </li></ul>Connect:<ul><li>Premium Signup &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/premium/">Think Fast Talk Smart Premium</a></li><li>Email Questions &amp; Feedback &gt;&gt;&gt; hello@fastersmarter.io</li><li>Episode Transcripts &gt;&gt;&gt;<a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/206-crafting-narratives-that-motivate-whats-your-strategy-story/"> Think Fast Talk Smart Website</a></li><li>Newsletter Signup + English Language Learning &gt;&gt;&gt;<a href="http://fastersmarter.io/"> FasterSmarter.io</a></li><li>Think Fast Talk Smart &gt;&gt;&gt;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/think-fast-talk-smart/"> LinkedIn</a>,<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thinkfasttalksmart/"> Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6caGRBUYZCmgDGM2RK6mxKB9jG_ccmm3">YouTube</a></li><li>Matt Abrahams &gt;&gt;&gt;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/"> LinkedIn</a></li></ul> Chapters:<ul><li>(00:00) - Introduction</li>
<li>(02:14) - Using Story in Strategy</li>
<li>(04:55) - Questions as a Communication Technology</li>
<li>(06:10) - The Six Steps to Harnessing Imagination</li>
<li>(10:31) - The “7 Cs” of Imagination and Communication</li>
<li>(12:03) - Reframing as a Creative Tool</li>
<li>(14:06) - The Like Button: Origin and Evolution</li>
<li>(16:09) - Brain Chemistry Behind Digital Liking </li>
<li>(18:07) - The Final Three Questions</li>
<li>(22:54) - Conclusion</li>
</ul>
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206. Crafting Narratives That Motivate: What’s Your Strategy Story?