Explain anything simply

Make a hard idea easy with an example, a picture and a check. Lesson 34 of 70: Articulation, every level.

Make it concrete

Hard ideas become easy with three tools. An example: “For instance, last week a customer…”. A comparison to something familiar: “A firewall is like a security guard at the door of your network.” And a number people can picture: “one in four”, not “twenty-five percent of the cohort”.
It’s a bit like a library card for your data. (A comparison)
For example, last month a customer waited three weeks. (An example)

Start where the listener is, not where you are: “You know how…?” Use their words, not your jargon, or explain the jargon the first time. Then check — not “Do you understand?”, which makes people say yes, but “Does that make sense so far?” or “How would you explain it back?” — and adjust.
You know how a bank holds your money? This holds your passwords. (Starting from the familiar)
Does that make sense so far? (A kind check)
Open palms: Honest and inviting: “here is what I think”. The most useful gesture there is.
Listening: Head slightly tilted, hands still and relaxed, eyes on the speaker: “I am with you.” Add a nod.
Tip: If a twelve-year-old would not follow your explanation, an executive in a hurry will not either.

Explain something from your work or studies to an imaginary twelve-year-old: start from something they know, give a comparison and an example, avoid jargon, and finish with a check. Record it on video.
I started from something familiar
I used a comparison and an example
I explained or avoided every piece of jargon
I ended with a real check

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