When you work in academia, you come across some very smart people. This should be surprising given that academics spend an enormous amount of time exploring whatever topic they study. And people become academic experts by digging into the particulars of areas that can be pretty narrow and focused. This is the nature of academia: develop niche knowledge in a certain area where you develop that insight throughout a career.

And if you ever tried listening to some of those people talk about their work, or read their work in academic publications, you’ll know that it can be very difficult to decipher precisely what they are talking about. Given the amount of time and dedication it takes to achieve academic brilliance, this shouldn’t be surprising. Speaking as an academic (and not a brilliant person), this is how we are trained to communicate, and primarily to each other.

One of the great things about the Ted Talk and TedX movement is that it has created a format through which people who have something to say can find the means to say it. This also has created a platform through which public scholarship can take place, and insights can be translated to a wider audience.

In this era of wicked problems, disinformation, and social media, it is vital that we translate as much knowledge as possible.

Nick Kindler’s business is about how to help smart people improve their ability to communicate. Using an approach they call Communication Canvas, Nick with Kindler and Company give speakers the signposts they need to know the route they have to go in order to avoid verbal cul de sacs and and deliver a performance that audiences can remember.

Nick draws on his experience in improv and acting, Nick talks about how it is vital that speakers bring themselves into their presentation. He discusses the importance of taking personal stories that they haven't shared, tell the story in a way that is Ted worthy, and unpack the learnings and takeaways. When we tell our stories in the right environment, it is cathartic and helps someone else.

Nick asks us to focus on three key questions:

How can I simplify the messaging today
How can I transform using story telling and language to deep the understanding
How can I deliver it and perform it in a way that engages and connects

Nick Kindler LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkindler

Nick Kindler Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nick_kindler/

Kindler and Company - https://www.kindlerandcompany.com/

M muses on Twitter and Elon Musk via InfoWars