Buzz
Whether you're speaking to an audience at work or in a private conversation, the struggle to maintain their focus against the constant pull of their phones is real. But more importantly, there's the challenge of ensuring that they actually remember what you've shared with them.
So, how can you ensure your message sticks? Dr. Eva Krockow, a psychologist at the University of Leicester specializing in decision-making, suggests that metaphors are an effective way to do this. She explored this idea in an article for Psychology Today. Here's what you need to understand.
Why do metaphors have such a strong impact? Let's dive into why they can be so powerful in engaging listeners.
Metaphors are not just a fun way to spice up casual conversations, they become especially valuable when explaining more complex ideas. Here’s Krockow to shed light on why and how they work effectively:
Studies indicate that messages packed with technical jargon or needing specific background knowledge often struggle to resonate with diverse audiences. Such messages can be enhanced using metaphors, which bridge abstract topics with everyday concepts. This comparison method helps make challenging subjects easier to grasp, more engaging, and leaves a lasting impression.
Mastering metaphors as a tool for communication
To illustrate the power of metaphors, Krockow cites a memorable one shared by Dr. Nirav Shah, the director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, on August 25, 2020, to explain the spread of COVID-19:
Imagine dealing with a massive tube of glitter. You pop open the tube in your basement, and two weeks later, you’re in the attic, finding glitter everywhere with no clue how it got there.
If you’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with glitter, Shah’s analogy for how COVID spreads will instantly resonate with you. Even if glitter isn’t a regular part of your life, you’re likely familiar with its messy nature. This gives people a scenario that’s easy to picture, making it immediately clear how the concept connects to the message (in this case, how SARS-CoV-2 spreads).
