Can you draw it on a graph?

And explain it with quadrants or bars or a spreadsheet?

Or… translate it into Spanish, Mandarin, or French?

It’s easy to memorize a few words that purport to explain something, but all that does is relabel it.

If you truly understand something, you can use different modalities to help someone else understand it.  Translating an idea into a visual, map or drawing can enhance the understanding of concepts and illuminate meaning.  It can make the concept itself visible to others and to possible options.

However, most graphs and visuals aren’t very good. They’re made by folks who don’t actually understand the concept they’re trying to explain.  They’re restricted by difference between what is central and what is less important.

Authors: 

Dr. Robert K. Greenleaf was formerly a professional development specialist at Brown University. Bob has 45 years of experience in education ranging from superintendent, principal, teacher, & special education.  As President of Greenleaf Learning Bob has traveled the world conducting Brain & Learning Institutes.  Dr. Bob’s doctoral work was at Vanderbilt with undergrad psychology.  bob@greenleaflearning.com

* Adapted from Seth Godin, 7.6.24, who is a serial entrepreneur, Godin has a degree in computer science and philosophy from Tufts University, and an MBA from Stanford Business School. He runs the altMBA, a global business-thinking workshop, and founded two companies, Squidoo and Yoyodyne. In 2013, Godin was one of just three professionals inducted into the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame, and in May 2018 he was inducted into the Marketing Hall of Fame too.

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