How to communicate clearly

In our head, we might have brilliant ideas, but if we are unable to communicate them to people, there is no effect. For a vision to transform into action, we must convince others about the effect it can create. Here are a few tips from a person who teaches Quantum physics to 7-year-olds:

Start by meeting your target audience where they are. The target audience could be your co-workers or your leadership. Know what they know and what they don’t know. Start from the point where their knowledge or context ends and build from that towards the idea. Don’t start from scratch and bore them. Understand the different levels and backgrounds that your people come from - sales, marketing, finance, engineering, etc. Frame the pitch so that the novel idea is simple for the audience.

Stay on the topic. Stick to the point and don’t digress too much into detail that is not directly relevant to the main idea. Stick to the broad strokes when introducing the concept to a large audience. For more detail, go for a smaller audience with skin in the game. Otherwise, put your point clearly, simply and, if possible, with some illustrations and examples. Don’t dwell on side points, which might be brilliant but add no value to the main idea. Expand the core idea with details and deal with the peripheral points briefly.

Clarity over Accuracy. For a multi-background audience, it is alright to sacrifice accuracy for a bit more clarity. A simple explanation with 90% accuracy >> complex description with 100% accuracy.

Passion and Confidence. If the team can understand your passion, believe in your idea, and have confidence about the outcome, they are more likely to resonate with you.

Infuse energy and enthusiasm in voice and body language, and maintain eye contact. (Do it consciously but not to the extent that it looks unnatural.)

Reference: Dominic Walliman’s TEDx Talk titled Quantum Physics for 7-year-olds.