Matt Abrahams

And I think, test it out on a few people and then see what happens.

It sounds like this person did not only violated expectations, but they were able to give you a visceral experience of what it was that they were studying.

So it wasn't just a concept, which many of these, you and I both attend lots of academic talks.

I mean, it can get very theoretical, very conceptual, but made it very tangible.

And because of that, that was helpful to the goal that they were trying to achieve.

So I often challenge people, how could you communicate this information in a way

That really gets people engaged and involved.

Could you do something on a whiteboard?

Could you use an analogy?

Is there a story you could tell or a question you can ask rather than just detailing the information?

So do something that violates an expectation but is in line with and supports the goal that you have.

I think understanding what works for you and where your strengths are is absolutely important.

But at the same time, you don't know where some of those strengths are if you don't try other things.

And that's why, coming back to this notion of improv as one example,

You don't know until you do it where your comfort levels are and where those boundaries are.

And you might learn that there's some things you can do really well that would help you be a better communicator.

So absolutely investigating what works for you and leveraging that is important, but also expand a little bit to see where you can grow.

i think the work you do the work i try to do in terms of podcasting and writing and teaching we're trying to expose people to more information that they could then adapt and adopt so that they can perhaps expand the way they communicate they research whatever it is so i think you do have to absolutely play to your strengths but you have to explore what those strengths might be as well i'd hate for everybody just to do only what they're good at

Like with my students, I have to say it depends.

It depends on the circumstance that you're in.