When Being Smart Makes You Hard to Understand (And How to Fix It)

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Last week, I was reminded of the time I watched a colleague (who's brilliant, by the way) try to explain an important concept to our team.

Despite their deep expertise, the message wasn't landing.

The room was filled with polite nods but vacant eyes.

Later, that colleague confided in me: "I know this inside and out. Why can't I make others see what I see?"

Here’s the problem: having deep knowledge isn’t enough if you can’t make it resonate with others.

And here’s the twist—folks with deep expertise often forget that making their message land requires intentional effort. Whether it’s pitching an idea, leading a team, or influencing a decision, communication doesn’t just happen—it has to be designed.

Here's what I've learned about the barrier between expertise and explanation:

It's not about dumbing things down – it's about building bridges between what you know and what others need to know.

Honestly, this paradox has always intrigued me: How does expertise sometimes become a barrier to communication? More importantly, how do we bridge that gap?

This barrier is often due to falling victim to important blindspots associated with expertise.

The Three Blindspots of Expertise:

1. The Context Gap (What experts forget):

• The journey that led to their understanding

• The foundational concepts they've internalized

• The connections that seem "obvious" to them

2. The Language Trap (How experts confuse):

• Using technical terms without realizing it

• Skipping steps that seem basic

• Making references that aren't common knowledge

3. The Relevance Block (Where experts lose people):

• Starting with theory instead of application

• Not connecting to their audience's reality

• Missing the "Why should I care?" question

The Bridge-Building Pattern:

The most effective expert communicators do something counterintuitive – they temporarily step away from their expertise to:

• Start with the listener's context

• Build from a shared understanding

• Create "aha" moments through connection

So, what does this look like in practice:

1. Meet Them Where They Are

Ask yourself:

• What do they already know?

• What matters most to them?

Frame your message with their perspective in mind. Relatable language and familiar examples can turn abstract concepts into aha moments.

2. Simplify Without Losing Depth

Analogies, stories, and visuals are your best tools to distill complexity into clarity. Keep the core value intact, but make it digestible and actionable.

3. Focus on What Matters Most

Ask: What’s the most important takeaway?

Share only the insights that move the needle, and structure your message like a story—clear, focused, and easy to follow.

I've been working on this in my own communications.

Instead of diving into a complex analysis, I start with a simple story that connects to everyone's experience.

The difference in engagement was immediate and dramatic.

Think about it: Your expertise isn't just what you know; it's your ability to help others see what you see.

The question isn't "How do I show what I know?" but "How do I build a bridge to understanding?"

POLL

Give This a Go This Week:

Before your next important discussion where you need to provide an explanation, find someone who is not familiar with your topic and practice explaining it in terms of their experience. Pay attention to where they get confused or lose interest.

Those are your bridge-building opportunities.

I'd love to hear about your experiences explaining complex ideas. What techniques have worked for you? Reply and let me know.

Thanks for reading. Be Easy!
Girvin

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