Have you ever tried to explain an idea to your team or a customer and they just don’t get it? And not surprisingly, repeating it over and over again does not help.

If this has happened to you, it’s likely the curse of knowledge at work.

The Curse of Knowledge

The curse of knowledge happens when we know something so well that we forget what it is like not to know it. Although in this Schitt’s Creek example, it’s pretty clear Moira does not know it either. We assume that others understand us, but in reality, they struggle to comprehend what it is we are talking about.

This can create the following challenges in business:

• Leaders may lose their team’s buy-in because their vision feels too complex.
• Sales professionals risk alienating customers with jargon-heavy messaging.
• Trainers might overwhelm learners by skipping foundational concepts.

Executional Excellence

I’ll never forget a leader I worked with who kept talking about “executional excellence”. Everyone nodded but wasn’t really sure what he meant by it. After asking him several times to clarify, he shared a simple story about his Dad who would always say to him,

“If you are going to do something, make sure you do it right”.

This was a far more powerful and effective way to communicate the message.

Methods that Work

So how can we overcome this curse of knowledge?

Here are three tips to make your communication clear and impactful:

1. Simplify Your Message. Ditch the jargon and use plain and relatable language. Say words your audience uses.
2. Seek Fresh Eyes. Have someone outside your expertise review your message for understanding.
3. Share a Story. Stories make abstract ideas tangible. They engage emotions, illustrate your point, and stick in people’s minds.

The curse of knowledge is a sneaky little critter. But with awareness, you can break through it and get your message across. Remember, it’s not about dumbing things down, it’s about bringing people along with you.