Your Brilliant Idea Is Useless If You Can’t Communicate It Properly. Learn How to Get Your Complex Ideas Across.
You have an incredible idea. It’s a game changer. It makes perfect sense in your mind and translates well on paper, except when you try and explain it verbally it ends up being a garbled, incoherent mess.
It’s not always easy getting a complex idea across Aluxers, which is why we’ve written this article – 15 Smart Ways to Communicate Complex Ideas – to help you formulate the idea so when it’s time to make a pitch – you nail it.
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With that done, let’s jump right in.
1
Don’t Fall Prey to the Curse of Knowledge
It sounds like a sci-fi / horror storybook, and it could be.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with knowledge, but when we are trying to convey an important idea or concept, getting caught up in all the jargon or shop talk, may not resonate well with your audience.
The concept of the curse of knowledge was introduced by Chip and Dan Heath, in their book called Made to Stick, which is just a novel way of saying we know too much about our topic. So, it’s important to not take shortcuts in your explanation, assuming the audience knows something already, and avoid the technical jargon which may go over their heads.
So, how can you avoid the “curse of knowledge?”
Let’s find out.
2
The Twitter Test
When putting pen to paper while writing out your introduction, keep it short and sweet, no more than 50 words.
Thereafter, use the Twitter Test, and keep each point to 140 words or less. Sure, some points will be longer, but it’s a good benchmark to guide you while you’re preparing your thoughts.
Being concise is key when communicating complex ideas or theories.
In our video, 15 Skills all CEOs Master, we used the word brevity, which means writing or speaking in a short, concise, clear manner.
3
Keep the Information Orderly
Aluxers, you’ve probably heard this a thousand times before – it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.
And when it comes to communicating complex topics, how you put the information forward is key.
You need to break the information down into bite-sized pieces and present them in a sequence that makes them flow into each other.It gives the listener a chance to absorb each point and understand how they all fit together.
4
Give a Relatable Example of a Problem That Can Be Fixed
To resonate with your target audience, share a problem that most would have experienced at some point in their lives. Once you’ve got them thinking about the problem, provide them with the solution.
The actual solution may be complicated, but the problem they experienced is remembered, and the thought of a solution sounds appealing, so they’ll hear you out.
5
Make It Easy for People to Refer to Your Idea
This could be through webinars, tutorials, online reading, even Instagram… it doesn’t matter. As long as you’ve made it possible for people to read up on your idea or concept in their own space and time.
This is also a wonderful opportunity for you to make yourself available to questions, concerns or suggestions others might have for you, and might make you realize an important bit of information that you missed.
And if the thought of creating a place for your ideas to live online feels… out of your wheelhouse, don’t worry! Learning how doesn’t have to be daunting. We’ve just launched our latest premium experience called Learning Mastery. This 21-day course guides you through how to teach yourself anything with confidence. You can enroll today by going to alux.com/learn.
6
Create Visuals
Smallbusiness.com gives several reasons why visuals are so impactful when giving a presentation, whether it’s in front of a big audience, or just in a boardroom. The main reason why we encourage visuals when communicating complex ideas is to create a little excitement over things like figures or technical jargon – that can often be the reason people switch off.
Visuals help your audience to understand and remember the information you’re conveying.
If you were to think of the most important bits you would like your audience to remember, here’s a tip.
7
The Power Of 3
People tend to take home 3 facts from a presentation or discussion – which 3 do you want them to most remember?
Consider using the visuals to highlight the 3 most important pieces of information so that you have a greater chance of retention within your audience.
8
Know Your Audience
Naturally, if you’re delivering your complicated idea to academics in the field, you can go right ahead with the data and statistics, or figures and market changes… but if you’re not, then it’s best to rethink your approach.
It’s important to note, however, that understanding your audience isn’t a guarantee that your message will be understood. As pointed out by customer.com, “With Covid-19 creating a ripple of economic uncertainty, consumer’s needs, motivations and behaviours have changed. Old rules no longer apply. Businesses must reassess what they know.”
Excuse our use of a tired cliché, but – knowing your audience is a journey, not a destination.
9
Back Up Your Idea with Strong Examples and Case Studies
This leaves little room for doubt with your audience. When you can validate or substantiate your information, it makes you more credible and believable.
You can use case studies, examples, documentary evidence, scientific proof – whatever you need to support your claims. Just make sure that facts are not exaggerated, and your proof is legit.
10
Become a Raconteur
So often, people will comment on how they’d make an excellent radio presenter, because they have so much to say. But in fact, they would make terrible radio presenters… because they have so much to say.
A great radio presenter can tell a story well, without mincing words and without the story dragging on forever.
Now that’s what you need to do when explaining your complicated idea. Tell a great story, but don’t waffle on and on and on and on…
11
Back of the Napkin Concept
There’s a book by Dan Roam called The Back of the Napkin, where Roam argues that a simple drawing done on the back of a napkin can be more powerful than any excel spreadsheet or PowerPoint presentation.
It all boils down to a theme, which we’re you’ve picked up on by now, keeping things simple, easy to understand and relatable.
12
Put Yourself in Your Audience’s Shoes
According to Fortune.com, “the average adult attention span has plummeted from 12 minutes a decade ago to just 5 minutes now.”
5 minutes is not a long time to try and get a complicated point across, is it?
Think about your audience; are you presenting information just before they go on lunch or head home? Have they just come out of a stressful situation or are they dealing with a lot personally – we can speculate all these things – but when you can, try to be strategic and convey the information when your audience can give you their undivided attention. It’ll be more valuable for everyone.
13
State the Fundamentals
What do we mean by fundamentals?
Let’s pretend we’re back in school and you’re learning math. Your teacher would provide you with the basics and then build on those theories.
That same goes with communicating a complex idea. You’d start by sharing the fundamentals, and then you’d build your way up to the more complex parts of the idea… all within 5-minutes, so remember to pick those 3 important facts we mentioned, wisely.
If you think you’ve learned every fundamental thing in school, check out 15 Things Your Teachers Didn’t Teach You.
14
Be Transparent about Risks and Clear about the Consequences
Don’t pretend that everything is perfect or that you know everything. Rather play open cards with your audience and tell them everything. It’s important to note the possible risk factors, and the potential consequences.
You might think this would put people off your idea, but the opposite is true. People would rather know that you’re 100% aware of the pros and cons and know what you’re doing to alleviate the risks you’ve highlighted.
Being transparent does your idea more good than harm – always remember that.
15
Compare the past with the Present
A good old-fashioned comparison works wonders when communicating a complex idea. It’s simple and effective.
Bring forward something from the past, and how that example has either gotten better or worse over time – and if you can, explain how that example will get worse if your idea is not implemented – or better if it is implemented.
Try and stick with positive facts for the future, as everyone responds better to positivity than negativity.
We sincerely hope you could take something home from this today, do let us know by subscribing to our channel. Don’t forget that by clicking the bell notification, you will always be alerted to our new videos.
Question:
What has helped you communicate a complex idea? We’d love your thoughts in the comments below.
