When to reveal the solution
“The form in which thoughts occur to a writer is rarely the same as the form in which they can be absorbed by the reader.” Steven Pinker.
It’s the one quote I keep at my desk, reminding me that a logical narrative does not always result in an engaging one.
Bottom line? We need resolution near the start, not at the end.
Here’s what I mean.
I’ve noticed most of us tend to communicate in the following order:
Problem – journey –...
To be memorable, be imperfect
Painted walls can be cleaned pretty easily. A few squirts of “Spray and Wipe” and unsightly marks can be erased.
Walls with exposed brick are a different matter. Blemishes seep into the brickwork’s pores and crevices, making them impossible to expunge.
When it comes to communications, a painted wall approach is often the default.
Our presentations, websites and emails look uniform. Our writing is professional.
But as safe as this approach feels, it’s also...
How to engage your audience
Want to know the secrets of great presentations?
Whether you're on stage or in the audience, there are two things great presenters do.
They make the familiar strange and the strange familiar.
In this video I'm going to take you through the four questions that will help engage and move your audience:
- What are the existing assumptions your audience has?
- How can you flip this?
- What do you want them to do differently?
- How can you make this new action familiar? ...
Nanette-ing your approach to influence
Much of the power of Hannah Gadsby’s hit show “Nanette” was her deconstruction of comedic performance, lifting the veil and stepping us through the set-up, tension and release.
The comedian’s role, Gadsby shared, is to deliberately create tension so they can then relieve us of it.
That’s your role too, by the way, if you are interested in gaining traction for your ideas or winning new business. Whether you are creating a PowerPoint presentation, writing a tender...
