Kill Game

05 Feb Kill Game

While skiing on Santa Fe peak with friends, David was describing his favorite run. He said “Get off the quad, hop on chair seven, and take Sunset to Alpine.” It would have been inefficient for David to draw a detailed map without words.

Homo Sapiens developed language out of necessity. Imagine how long it would take to draw a painting that communicated “Went outside of cave and walked two miles to the south. Found game, killed it, brought it back and everyone was fed and happy.” But using words was effective and potentially lifesaving.

Humans have always used words to express visuals. Later, as we expanded our vocabulary, we told stories with colorful details to entertain, as well as educate. Today, we’ve moved into more clinical descriptions, backed by stats. But, if an audience can’t visualize what you’re describing, they will never fully comprehend or accept your proposition.

As you prepare your next presentation, ask yourself “How do I make them see it?” or as Deborah says “Play the movie in their heads.” When you feed salient images into the brain, we create a story based on our own experience. And when someone says “Oh, I see what you mean” you are successful.