Explain it as simple as if your grandmother
At the weekend I attended a demonstration in Munich -- against censorship in the web. This is where I experienced the great speech of Michael Jäger . Thank you for this great example. Michael Jäger presented in a passionate and enthusiastic way. He explained the situation so well and simply as if he explained it his grandmother. You can check out the (German) Blog where he shows another simple example or watch on this page his (German) Video.
What did Michael Jäger do?
Simply explained -- so everybody understands
At a networking meeting recently I heard a fincancial advisor recommending to explain every matter “as if you explained it your Granny”.
Did you ever explain your grandmother a complex situation? When I think of my own granny: she used to be a farmer who never got in touch with machines more complex than a TV and for a long time they had no telephone (she doesn´t even leave any messages on my answering machine today). She never owned a driving license and lived her live in neighbouring villages in the middle of Germany. I recall to take her to a shopping in the next bigger city where she stopped in front of the moving stairs before stepping concentrated onto the next stair.
Explain to her the internet. I alwas used metaphors and pictures whe understands to explain to her. Additionally I needed to adjust my vocabulary. As computer scientist I used to use a vocabulary she never knew or could know. I observed how much our vocabulary differs from each other.
Michael Jäger described such an example in his speech against censorship in the web: “Back there is a park. A park to which people go for a walk or sunbathing. Now the police got knowledge of some people to show child abuse and -- instead of arresting the criminals they raise a stop sign and lock the park. Then they monitor who goes near the park. People who only want to go for a walk, enjoy the park -- but: they probably come there because of the criminals.” … Michael Jäger stands up for intensivying criminal prosecution instead of censure. The reason why I attended the demonstration and experienced his speech.
Simply explained -- in pictures
Not onlydid Michael Jäger use this wonderful example of the park, he used pictures in his speech. I saw with my inner eye the park with the stop sign, the people monitoring who wants to go into the park and the police men who prosecuted the would-be supporters before the park instead of prosecuting the criminals in the park.
Especiallyif you have abstract matters it´s important to use pictures to explain.
In a coaching I discussed with a customer who wanted to show what employees encounter who are working in a foreign country for a long-term project: we developed the example to drive a car. The situation is that you have to work for a long-term project (and move there with family) in a foreign country. This is comparable to a new car where the steering wheel is on the “wrong” side and all instruments are placed differently. Before driving this car you want to make sure you know how to use it properly. And as employer you want that your employee works efficiently, that he knows the often different driving laws and to drive safely the new car. This example everybody can imagine for themselves -- even those who don´t own a driving license.
Simply explained -- shows professionality
I sometimes hear counter-arguments -- only showing the complexity with complex sentences and the difficulty of the topic shows the professionalism in this field. Wrong! -- You only loose your audience. This often happens in universities or at professional conventions.
Professional is to present a complex matter with a simple picture as you need to understand it first to find the proper picture. The audience feels that you care for their understanding.
Think up during the prepareation of your next speech or presentation: would your granny understand you?
