Avoid The Curse Of Knowledge

When we know a lot about a topic, it can be challenging to write about it in a way that makes sense to the layperson. This issue often occurs when writing proposals or presenting ideas to others. This is the curse of knowledge, where our communication assumes the other person knows what we know.

To avoid this issue, there are a few simple steps that can be followed when sharing ideas or proposals with others. 

1. Assume that others may not know as much about the topic as you do but are still intelligent and capable of understanding it. 
2. Avoid abstractions and, instead, be as specific as possible. 
3. Allow time between writing and editing so that you can review your own work with fresh eyes.
4. Better still, it’s a good idea to ask a trusted colleague to read your work and provide feedback before you share it.