A short YouTube monologue (speaker Sam) arguing that the ability to explain an idea quickly and simply is the clearest test of true understanding. Sam gives classroom and expert anecdotes showing how complexity can mask lack of understanding, prescribes practical heuristics (elevator pitch, one- or two-sentence explanations, one-page handouts, concise slides — citing Bill Gates' "never more than seven words" rule), and closes by inviting viewer feedback and engagement.
Foreign. Have you ever had someone ask you a question on something that you thought you understood perfectly and you tried to explain it? And the heart, the more you explained it, the less they understood it. There's a reason for that. You don't really understand it, you thought you understood it. In fact, the more confused, the more you explain, the more confused they are. Have you ever had a teacher, a professor in school, you remember back sitting in class and they're going through the material and at the end of the class, this is the old phrase, you, you know you were in your right mind when you came into the class, but going out, you can't remember, you have no idea. Leaving the class, you're so confused, you not even remember what class it was you came into. They didn't teach, they complicated, you didn't understand it, you were confused by it. And the result was, instead of helping you move to where you could master the subject, they convinced you you would never master the subject because it was just over your head. If that's what it is and that's how you've got to understand it, I'm doomed. Well, here's how to tell and see. The world is full of supposed experts, especially with the Internet experts, gurus, you know they are because they tell you, I am a guru, I'm a master, I am a business coach, I am a genius on this subject or that subject. Hey, you know how you tell if they really are they not? Can they explain it? And here's how you tell about them. Here's the test. Can they explain it? If they can't explain whatever it is they're talking about, their concept, their idea. If they can't explain it in two to three sentences a minute or two, if they can't explain it quickly, briefly, guess what? They don't understand it. If you can't explain something quickly and simply, it means you, you don't understand it. What's your business all about? Why? What's your goals between now and the end of the year? Anything like that, they call it one thing that that's referred to as in sales, they call it your elevator pitch. If you're trying to sell something, but it's almost like you need an elevator pitch. You need to be able to give an elevator pitch explanation for everything you're involved in. Because the simpler and cleaner you can explain it, the more people can understand it and the more people can remember it. If you want to be able to explain train others, you've got to get to where you can explain it. One or two sentences. Everything you want to do. You want all your handouts. Make them one page. Bill Gates on his power his rule for doing PowerPoints presentation is never more than seven words, preferably one or two on a slide. Keep it simple when you the simpler the message, the more powerful. And when you can explain it simply, and that's the test, you really understand it. And you can get other people to understand it quickly. That's how you tell. Let me have your comments. See if you agree. Come and visit us over@widelonwinning.com take a look at the rest of our YDL Academy videos. Subscribe if you haven't already, but give us some feedback. Let me know what you're thinking. Start a fight with me. Argue. Suggest something. Let's start up some conversation. Because when you're talking, you're learning. Sam.
