The One Communication Principle Every Technical Professional Needs to Hear | Elevated You

2 weeks ago I wrote about creating impact, clarity and punch by removing all the noise from your presentations. "Murder Your Darlings" and "Less Is More" were the quotes of the week. This week, I specifically want to think about that with your visual aids.

This week I've been doing some coaching with a number of folks and the phrase I kept repeating "Less Is More".

Slides Are Not Your Notes

I'll say this to you until I`m blue in the face. Slides are not your notes. They are there to amplify your message not distract from it.

Leave the docuslide world behind. Create a pdf, webpage or blog for all the detail you want to share after the presentation. But whilst you're speaking, use your visual aids to amplify your narrative.

I appreciate that's a huge cultural change for lots of people, but it's a much needed one. Needed if you want to be more influential, memorable and successful.

Less Is More

Think Apple. Would Apple release a device cluttered with buttons and faff? Would their product boxes contain exhaustive lists of features? Would their slides at a keynote tabulate every specification in case someone wanted to read it.

I bet they wouldn't. You can find all those details in datasheets, appendixes and blogs. But when they're speaking to you, there is a clear narrative, with visuals to amplify that narrative.

Your mantra when designing your visuals should be "less is more".

Use Animation

When you're speaking about complex things, still embrace the "Less Is More" approach. But as you use visual aids to help you explain the complex, ensure that each element arrives on screen to complement your narrative.

Don't overwhelm and confuse your audience by hitting them in the face with a 300 icon architectural overview. Simplify the diagram as much as you can (without over simplifying it), and make it build as you explain it. Turn your slide into a virtual whiteboard, but with nicer icons.

It's simple stuff, but most people don't do it. If you're the one that does, you'll stand out from the crowd.

Hope this helps

Ben