49. Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively
Jan 18, 2022
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In this engaging discussion, Chip Heath, a professor of organizational behavior and author of Making Numbers Count, shares his insights on transforming data into compelling narratives. He emphasizes the need to make numbers emotional, as emotions drive action. Heath reveals how many people struggle with interpreting numbers and advocates for translating data into relatable concepts. Drawing on historical examples, he illustrates how emotional context can enhance communication and motivate change, providing practical strategies for clear and engaging data presentations.
Emotions drive action from data, making it relatable and impactful.
Translating numbers into tangible terms enhances engagement and comprehension.
Deep dives
The Importance of Communicating Numbers Effectively
Communicating numbers effectively is crucial as data often reigns supreme in pitches and persuasions. Finding a balance where numbers motivate the audience without overwhelming them is key. By translating numbers into relatable terms, such as using analogies or real-life examples, the message becomes more engaging and memorable. An example cited was persuading people to buy energy-saving light bulbs by highlighting the long-term benefits beyond just cost, making the numbers tangible and impactful.
Utilizing Emotional Impact in Data Communication
Integrating emotions into data communication is essential as emotions drive action. Examples like Florence Nightingale's statistical analysis during the Crimean War showcase the power of weaving emotions into data presentation. Emotions make data relatable and impactful, motivating change and enhancing understanding. Making data emotionally resonant helps individuals connect with the information on a deeper level, fostering engagement and driving decisions.
The Challenge of Understanding and Utilizing Numbers
Understanding numbers can be challenging, especially for non-numbers-oriented individuals. Efforts to simplify and visualize data can bridge the gap in communication. Transforming complex concepts into concrete, visual representations aids comprehension and engagement. By making numbers more accessible and relatable through storytelling and real-life comparisons, everyone can better grasp and appreciate the significance of numerical information.
“We have to make data emotional because emotions are what drive us to act,” says Chip Heath, a professor of organizational behavior and author of the new book, Making Numbers Count: The Art of Science of Communicating Numbers. In this interview with host Matt Abrahams, Heath talks about ways that data and statistics can be used to illuminate — or obscure — our message. “A lot of people in the world don’t understand numbers like the numbers people,” he says. “And there are a lot of untranslated numbers that float around in organizations and in society.”
Heath suggests thinking about numbers like a foreign language we need to “translate” for our audience: “If we don’t translate numbers into something that’s more tangible, we’re going to sacrifice in a big way.“