Conveying complex information in a clear, concise manner is a significant challenge for various communicators.
Detail
Audience Reaction to Complex Concepts
Audiences often experience confusion, stupidity, or anger when encountering highly technical, detailed, or nuanced concepts.
Detail
Diverse Communicators Affected
Scientists, technologists, and business professionals are examples of communicators facing this challenge.
Concept
Bad Communication Habits
Two common tendencies hinder effective communication and understanding of complex information.
Sub-concept
Curse of Knowledge
The 'curse of knowledge' means communicators know too much about their topic, leading to assumptions about audience knowledge.
Detail
Impact of Curse of Knowledge
This curse results in communicators taking shortcuts in explanations or using jargon.
Reason
'Made to Stick' Source
The term 'curse of knowledge' was encountered in Dan and Chip Heath’s book Made to Stick.
Sub-concept
Explaining Based on Personal Style
Communicators tend to relay concepts in the manner they are most comfortable receiving information themselves.
Example
Data and Detail Explanation
If a communicator relies on data and detail to learn, they naturally tend to provide data and detail when explaining.
Insight
Habits Hinder Understanding
These two communication habits make it more difficult for audiences to understand and learn.
Concept
Audience-Centric Communication Approach
An audience-centric approach serves as the antidote to the two hindering communication tendencies.
Recommendation
Shift Communication Starting Question
Communicators should start by asking 'What does my audience need to hear?' instead of 'What do I want to say?'
Detail
Original Question Tendency
The common starting question is 'What do I want to say?' when drafting communication.
Detail
Recommended Audience-Focused Question
The recommended question is 'What does my audience need to hear?' to guide communication.
Detail
Implementing Audience Reflection
To determine audience needs, communicators must consider what their audience already knows and how they learn.
Reason
Benefits of Audience Reflection
This reflection helps include omitted information and consider alternative explanation methods like stories or images.
Recommendation
Make Material More Accessible
From the audience’s perspective, communicators need to consider ways to make complex material more accessible.
Recommendation
Six Tools for Understanding
Six specific tools can be used to help audiences understand complex concepts.
Detail
List of Six Tools
The six tools are Diagram, deconstruct, compare, picture, backward map, and chunk.
Example
Archery Illustration
The article uses archery to illustrate the steps involved with these communication tools.
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