Start with Why
Today is #WisdomWednesday ๐คฉ!
A moment to share ideas to help you improve. Today's topic is inspired by @simonsinek and @neiltyson. Let's talk about how to communicate an idea. The key insight is this:
๐ Start with Why!
A path to effective communication! ๐งต๐
You have an amazing idea. Whether it is a solution to a problem you care deeply about or an incredible new insight, it doesn't matter how genius it is if you are the only one who cares.
โ Why?
โญ Because it's not enough to be right. You have to be effective.
Being effective means to produce the desired effect. To have someone or something change some behaviour because of you. Making anything change is hard, but it is especially hard to do it with people.
๐ If your idea does not spark a change, then it is a dead idea.
โ What do you do then?
๐ก You convince them that the problem you care about is also a problem they have or a problem they should care about.
โ How do you do it?
โ๏ธ Start by structuring your discourse for maximum impact. Whether it is a 1-minute pitch or a PhD viva, always start with the problem, and then build towards the solution. Answer these questions in this order:
- โญ Why
- ๐ก What
- โ๏ธ How
โญ Connect with your audience:
- 1๏ธโฃ Use a story, preferably with people as protagonists
- 2๏ธโฃ Be explicit about the problem
- 3๏ธโฃ Layout the consequences of leaving that problem unsolved
- 4๏ธโฃ Be kind of dramatic (๐ @josejorgexl)
- 5๏ธโฃ Promise them something
๐ก Get your main point across:
- ๐ผ๏ธ Use graphics
- โก๏ธ Be concise
โ๏ธ You got them, now squeeze:
- 1๏ธโฃ Do not patronize your audience
- 2๏ธโฃ Use concrete and realistic examples
- 3๏ธโฃ Explain things as simple as possible, but not simpler
- 4๏ธโฃ Leave unimportant details unexplained
- 5๏ธโฃ Do not show off
- 6๏ธโฃ Always fulfil what you promised
Once you have them convinced, leave with a Call to Action. Something your audience can do right there about that issue.
โก๏ธ Start applying these insights today, in your emails, Twitter threads, or presentations, and give your communication skills a level-up!
As usual, if you like this topic, reply in this thread or @ me at any time. Feel free to โค๏ธ like and ๐ retweet if you think someone else could benefit from knowing this stuff.
๐งต Read this thread online at https://apiad.net/tweetstorms/wisdomwednesday-why
Stay curious ๐
- ๐ฅ https://youtu.be/qp0HIF3SfI4
- ๐ฅ https://youtu.be/Tv0kQbOIrjY
- ๐ https://simonsinek.com/product/start-with-why/
- ๐ https://simonsinek.com/commit/the-science-of-why/
๐จ๏ธ You can see this tweetstorm as originally posted in this Twitter thread.