How to explain complex ideas easily

Picture the following situation: You are explaining an idea to your colleagues. The idea of yours has all the potential to solve the problems discussed in the group, but as you explain it, you notice that none of your colleagues seem to get it. It's frustrating! Especially when the solution is so clear and obvious! (At least for you) How come they can't understand it?

Does this situation seem familiar to you? If yes, well, you are not alone!

Let's look at what is happening in the business world: The Association for Services Management International (ASFMI) states that 70% of all company problems derive from misunderstandings... communication problems. Given that we are aware that miscommunication is the biggest cause of problems industry-wide, how come we haven't solved this problem yet?

Communication isn't as straightforward as we think, as we all have different ways of thinking and unique perspectives for every topic. Take a few seconds to reflect over the next statement:

The message is not what you explain.

The message is what the others understand.

Last time we went through a frustrating situation where the others did not understand our idea... maybe our idea was good, and maybe our message was clear in our head. But if the others fail to understand our message, then our idea will not win any supporters. We are just not communicating our complex ideas clear and simple enough.

The difference between what we explain and what others understand is called a communication gap.

Depending on which techniques we choose to explain, the differences in mindset and culture between the ones talking and the ones listening, as well as several other factors, a communication gap will be larger or smaller. The bigger a communication gap is, the bigger the generated problems and consequences will be.

A practical example

Many companies work with lists of features and requirements when trying to create new products or services. Let's check how well this works:

Here are 3 requirements for a physical product, please picture a product that meets all the following requirements:

1. It takes you from A to B faster than walking
2. It has 2 wheels
3. It has 1 handlebar

Think about the product, imagine it in your head. Does it meet all 3 requirements? If you have paper on hand, please draw a simple sketch! Once you have a product, scroll down!

Which product do you have in mind? Leave your answer in the comments! And if you drew something, please upload a picture in the comments! I'm curious!

Did you imagine:

• A: Bicycle or E-Bike
• B: Motorcycle or E-Motorcycle
• C: Scooter or E-Scooter
• D: Segway
• N: Anything else

As you see, a list of features or requirements can still produce a large amount of results. Now, let's say that the product I was thinking about was D: Segway. In this case, all products, A, B, C and N are potential misunderstandings. We can even add extra features to the list, like a front light or grip pad for your shoes, and we would still have way too many possibilities.

How can we communicate clearer and avoid big communication gaps? The simple answer is: visualize!

Visualization as a communication method

Check the following picture:

Right away it visually explains the product I had in mind. It's a personal transporter, commonly known as a Segway (brand). It moves you from A to B, it has a handlebar and two wheels. The idea in my head, should now be crystal clear for you.

When we visualize, big communication gaps are less likely and our message clearer.

There are different ways of visualizing; the trick is to mix multiple ways to mitigate any chance of producing misunderstandings. When we talk and mix words with body language, sketches and drawings, and build little prototypes together, our ideas become tangible and easily understandable.

It doesn't matter how complex your idea is, there is always a way to visualize it. And if you don't know how it could be visualized, then you don't understand your own idea well enough.

My clear suggestion to you is visualize, visualize more in your everyday!

This articles explains why we should visualize; if you want to learn how to visualize complex idea systematically, just send me message on LinkedIn!

???? Happy Visualization! ????

About the author:

Nelson Inno, is an entrepreneur and #innovation enthusiast in his early-30s, who is committed to making the world a better place to live and work.

More about the author:?www.wespark.io/nelson

More about his innovation agency:?www.wespark.io/story

#innovation #creativity #future #trends

Special thanks to Michael Berg for proof-reading the article! ??

Check my last article published on Forbes: Innovation Explained!