The balancing act of connection in presentations

While sifting through my parents’ belongings before renting out their holiday home, I stumbled upon a notepad that turned out to be a true goldmine.

It is a window into my father’s intricate mind—quotations and thoughts captured with the precision of a scholar, and laid down with the detail of an artist. It felt like I was peering at a precious relic unearthed.

My father has an IQ of 144. For context, 68% of people fall within the average IQ range of 85 to 115. Einstein’s IQ is estimated to have been around 160.

Coupled with his insatiable appetite for learning, his highly functioning intellect allows my dad to answer questions on an array of topics—history, literature, science, philosophy… You name it.

Whenever I’ve asked him to explain something, his approach has always been comprehensive. He starts not at the surface, but at the core.

As you can see in the picture, he uses the “Seven Circumstances” of inquiry:
Quis – Who?
Quid – What?
Ubi – Where?
Quando – When?
Quomodo – How?
Quibus auxiliis – By what means?
Cur – Why?

He added two more along the way:
Quale – What kind?
Quotuplex – How many times?

These Latin questions allow for deep examination and provide the foundation for systematic problem-solving—similar to the “Five Ws and One H” used in journalism.

The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity. But do not be fooled: this axiomatic elegance emerges only after deep thought.

Having laid down the foundations, my father would weave complex theories and cite classical authors—often in their own languages—while I struggled to connect ideas to reality and waited for the punchline in the gargantuan amounts of information he poured onto me non-stop.

My mind would often wander as he lectured. I’d sit there, mouth agape, hoping to catch more meaning to understand better. But after what felt like hours, I’d look down, feeling even more ignorant and confused than when we started.

This has taught me some key lessons about communication:

➡ Though it is crucial to investigate a topic deeply and find the right data, unless you make clear, relatable connections between theory and practice, you risk losing your audience.

➡ Lengthy presentations are just as ineffective as poor content. Know your point, and don’t hold the floor longer than necessary to make it. Less is more. Allow for interaction.

➡ The goal isn’t to demonstrate knowledge or aggrandize yourself but to ensure your audience leaves informed and empowered.

➡ In presentations, simplicity and clarity are not just desirable—they’re essential. Lose the jargon.

➡ Though distilling complex ideas takes rigorous thinking, the result should feel effortless for the audience. Pedagogy and fluidity are where your focus should be.

➡ A good communicator delivers a few clear, memorable ideas, reinforced by reasoning and relatable examples.

So next time you’re preparing to present, start from the end goal and work your way backward. It will help ensure your message sticks.