Ask HN: How can someone develop the skill of explaining things?
How... develop-able is this skill? Can this skill be formally developed, or is it something you just grow from experience?
I work in the product strategy group of my company. My job involves a lot of presentations -- both formal and impromptu -- about what our technology does, both specifically and how it relates to the larger industry. There's also a "thought leadership" component where I bring attention to our products by creating relevant content.
I used to think that being a "professional explainer" was just a side thing. I work in strategy, and I just happened to also have to do a lot of presenting. It was just part of the larger job.
But, with the help of a friend, I've come to understand that explaining things is really my core skill and the biggest way I provide value to the organization.
How can someone become better at this?
I did some searching for resources, and a lot of what I found is classically pedagogical. However, I don't feel like that captures it. I don't do formal training sessions. My job is a lot of "drive-by explanations" -- dropping into situations to clear up a point, explain a concept, elevate something to a bigger picture, etc.
I feel like the main skills involved are:
* The ability to identify the core point under discussion; the "question behind the question"
* The ability to extract an abstract concept from a concrete issue, or vice-versa; understanding the "scale" of the issue, and how it relates to the layers above and below it
* The ability to identify thought patterns and models like fallacies and biases, but also methods of analyzing a problem; inductive, deductive, reductive, etc.
* The ability to synthesize large amounts of information and know what's relevant and what isn't
* And, absolutely critically: the ability to find an appropriate metaphor to fit a situation (I sometimes half-joke that I'm the "Chief Metaphor Officer")
I know this is broad. I wish I could be more specific.
Is there an identified field or discipline I'm missing here? Again, pedagogy is close, but doesn't quite capture it.
How does one develop this skill? I'm told that I'm quite good at it, but (1) I'd always like to be better, and (2) I'd like to identify ways to develop it, so I can teach others how do it better.