I recently stumbled across a YouTube video that finally gave me a name to a familiar feeling: so-called explanatory blindness – known in English as the Curse of Knowledge. It describes the phenomenon that the better we know a topic, the worse we are at explaining it.
I experience this regularly in my workshops. When I explain how to structure knowledge with Notion or Obsidian, for example, I sometimes forget that this is completely new territory for many people. What is everyday life for me is a jungle of new terms and functions for others.
How do I recognize my explanatory blindness?
So as soon as I think inwardly in a workshop: “That’s trivial!” – I know: Watch out. This is a warning signal. Now it’s time: Slow down and explain better. I use this feeling of “It’s logical!” as a compass. It shows me that I’m in danger of talking past my target group.
In fact, that’s how it is: Everything that I take for granted today, I didn’t take for granted in the past. As an expert, I tend to underestimate my own subject. I often overlook the fact that others have a completely different level of experience and forget how many small steps it took for me to make everything seem logical.
What helps me to overcome explanatory blindness?
The good news is that with the right approach, it is possible to overcome explanatory blindness. Over the years, I have developed a number of methods that I use in my workshops. Ultimately, it’s always about maintaining a constant connection with the audience.
Here are my five most important strategies from workshop practice:
1. change perspective
Before the workshop, I introduce myself to the participants: Where do they stand? What do they already know? What do they really need?
2. obtain feedback
I actively ask for feedback. The participants’ reactions show me directly where I am still too abstract or too fast.
3. working with examples
I try to use examples from the participants’ everyday lives. This makes even abstract concepts tangible and understandable.
4. think in stages
I break big topics down into smaller stages – like hiking: step by step to the destination. That way, no one is left behind.
5. use questions to open doors
I like to work with open questions: “How are you currently doing this?” is often a better way to start than with a theory.
AI as a test audience
An unexpectedly useful helper: ChatGPT. I use the AI to test my explanations. I ask it to put itself in the role of a workshop participant – and give a brief description. Then I present my concept.
The AI reacts surprisingly authentically:
- She asks if something is unclear
- It provides feedback on whether an example works
- It shows me where I am still too fast or too complicated
A small prompt that helps:
Ich möchte, dass du die Rolle eines Workshop-Teilnehmers übernimmst, der noch nie mit [Thema] gearbeitet hat. Du bist [kurze Beschreibung der Person und Hintergrund].
Ich werde dir gleich ein Konzept erklären. Bitte reagiere authentisch aus deiner Rolle heraus:
- Stelle Fragen, wenn dir etwas unklar ist
- Teile mit, wenn etwas zu schnell oder zu kompliziert erklärt wird
- Gib Feedback, ob die Beispiele für dich hilfreich und verständlich sind
Hier ist meine Erklärung:
[Erklärung einfügen]
It works amazingly well – as if it were a little mirror that reveals my blind spots.
As soon as we know that this explanatory blindness exists, we can counter it in a targeted manner. And this is where good communication begins.
How do you deal with it when you have to impart complex knowledge? I look forward to hearing about your experiences in the comments!
