What Every Presenter Needs to Remember About Making Big Decisions

Let others find the solution.

It’s easy for technical professionals to focus on the data. The numbers, models, and findings are the heart of our work. But the goal of your communication is to help others make decisions. Focusing only on the data can limit your impact. The challenge is to help non-technical audiences understand enough to draw their own conclusions.

Stay Loyal to the Data

Your foundation is the facts. Start there. But remember that your audience isn’t living in the details. They want to know what the data means for their decisions, budgets, and risks.

Your role is to connect the technical truth to real-world choices. Don’t overwhelm them with every calculation or chart. Instead, explain what the data shows, why it matters, and what trends or trade-offs it reveals. Make the path to understanding your analysis clear and direct.

Your goal isn’t to simplify the data—it’s to simplify the path to understanding.

Guide, Don’t Give

When people reach their own “aha” moment, they take ownership of the solution. Help them get there by asking guiding questions instead of handing them the answer. Build curiosity. Pause to let them think. Use analogies and examples that match their world, not yours.

Encouraging others to connect the dots creates trust and lasting impact.

Tell the Story

Think of yourself as a storyteller, not just a specialist. Every chart and number is part of a larger picture. Use visuals and language that make your message stick. Watch your audience. Make eye contact. Adjust your pace when faces show confusion.

Let Others Find the Solution

The goal isn’t to prove how much you know. The goal is to help others understand enough to decide with confidence. When you let others find the solution, your work makes a difference. Communicate with FINESSE!

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Founded by JD Solomon, Communicating with FINESSE is a not-for-profit community of technical professionals dedicated to being highly effective communicators and facilitators. Learn more about our publications, webinars, and workshops.