{"sourceUrl":"https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/hit-mark-make-complex-ideas-understandable","sourceType":"url","contentType":"Explainer","apex":{"id":"n1","type":"APEX","label":"Make Complex Ideas Understandable","text":"The article outlines six ways to communicate challenging concepts effectively to an audience.","children":[{"id":"n2","type":"CONC","label":"Challenge of Complex Communication","text":"Conveying complex information in a clear, concise manner is a significant challenge for various communicators.","parentId":"n1","children":[{"id":"n3","type":"DETL","label":"Audience Reaction to Complex Concepts","text":"Audiences often experience confusion, stupidity, or anger when encountering highly technical, detailed, or nuanced concepts.","parentId":"n2","children":[]},{"id":"n4","type":"DETL","label":"Diverse Communicators Affected","text":"Scientists, technologists, and business professionals are examples of communicators facing this challenge.","parentId":"n2","children":[]}]},{"id":"n5","type":"CONC","label":"Bad Communication Habits","text":"Two common tendencies hinder effective communication and understanding of complex information.","parentId":"n1","children":[{"id":"n6","type":"SUBC","label":"Curse of Knowledge","text":"The 'curse of knowledge' means communicators know too much about their topic, leading to assumptions about audience knowledge.","parentId":"n5","children":[{"id":"n7","type":"DETL","label":"Impact of Curse of Knowledge","text":"This curse results in communicators taking shortcuts in explanations or using jargon.","parentId":"n6","children":[]},{"id":"n8","type":"JUST","label":"'Made to Stick' Source","text":"The term 'curse of knowledge' was encountered in Dan and Chip Heath’s book Made to Stick.","parentId":"n6","children":[]}]},{"id":"n9","type":"SUBC","label":"Explaining Based on Personal Style","text":"Communicators tend to relay concepts in the manner they are most comfortable receiving information themselves.","parentId":"n5","children":[{"id":"n10","type":"EXMP","label":"Data and Detail Explanation","text":"If a communicator relies on data and detail to learn, they naturally tend to provide data and detail when explaining.","parentId":"n9","children":[]}]},{"id":"n11","type":"INSG","label":"Habits Hinder Understanding","text":"These two communication habits make it more difficult for audiences to understand and learn.","parentId":"n5","children":[]}]},{"id":"n12","type":"CONC","label":"Audience-Centric Communication Approach","text":"An audience-centric approach serves as the antidote to the two hindering communication tendencies.","parentId":"n1","children":[{"id":"n13","type":"DCSN","label":"Shift Communication Starting Question","text":"Communicators should start by asking 'What does my audience need to hear?' instead of 'What do I want to say?'","parentId":"n12","children":[{"id":"n14","type":"DETL","label":"Original Question Tendency","text":"The common starting question is 'What do I want to say?' when drafting communication.","parentId":"n13","children":[]},{"id":"n15","type":"DETL","label":"Recommended Audience-Focused Question","text":"The recommended question is 'What does my audience need to hear?' to guide communication.","parentId":"n13","children":[]}]},{"id":"n16","type":"DETL","label":"Implementing Audience Reflection","text":"To determine audience needs, communicators must consider what their audience already knows and how they learn.","parentId":"n12","children":[{"id":"n17","type":"JUST","label":"Benefits of Audience Reflection","text":"This reflection helps include omitted information and consider alternative explanation methods like stories or images.","parentId":"n16","children":[]}]},{"id":"n18","type":"DCSN","label":"Make Material More Accessible","text":"From the audience’s perspective, communicators need to consider ways to make complex material more accessible.","parentId":"n12","children":[]},{"id":"n19","type":"DCSN","label":"Six Tools for Understanding","text":"Six specific tools can be used to help audiences understand complex concepts.","parentId":"n12","children":[{"id":"n20","type":"DETL","label":"List of Six Tools","text":"The six tools are Diagram, deconstruct, compare, picture, backward map, and chunk.","parentId":"n19","children":[]},{"id":"n21","type":"EXMP","label":"Archery Illustration","text":"The article uses archery to illustrate the steps involved with these communication tools.","parentId":"n19","children":[]}]}]}]},"slug":"analysis-57f284","sharedAt":{"_seconds":1781054479,"_nanoseconds":2000000},"title":"Hit the Mark: Make Complex Ideas Understandable"}