A picture is worth (at least) 1,000 words
Draw to break through the chatter and get to clarity.
Language is one of our oldest tools but it is abstract. Even concrete and specific language will be interpreted differently by two different people.
Language goes in your ears and paints a picture in your brain. Everyone’s picture will be different.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you think that you are on the same page with collaborators but later, it becomes obvious that you had very different pictures in your minds? You know that sinking feeling when you find that you aren’t on the same page at all.
Or maybe you have found yourself in a very long conversation where no matter how much explaining occurs, the group keeps going round and round — not quite able to confidently align and move on?
Drawing pictures moves you further faster when coming up with ideas and working toward a shared vision.
I promise.
People spend hours talking without moving forward toward a shared vision for what they want to build together. Then, when they put pen to paper and draw, breakthroughs occur.
Language is a tool people use every day but words can fail us. Drawing feels uncomfortable and intimidating to many of us. But even the worst (and I’d argue that there is no bad drawing — the only bad drawings are the ones that aren’t drawn.)
Drawing communicates volumes compared to a sentence. I’m constantly telling people:
You CAN draw!
Think in pictures!
Use pictures, not words.
If you still don’t believe me or want to warm up with a group, try this exercise:
1. Describe a scene to a room of people.
2. Have each person draw the scene.
For example:
We are creating a new space for people to use to work together. It’s a creative space that will allow people to collaborate with one another. In the space, we’ll have a lounge with chairs. Near the space, we have a bar where people can go and get a snack or drink.
3. Ask people to partner up. Now have people compare pictures and look at what is similar and different. (Spoiler: No two pictures will be identical. Some pictures may be similar.)
4. Have the pairs identify two differences between their pictures and take turns describing to one another why they made the choices they made.
5. Notice how the picture is being used to guide their discussions. A conversation can occur that is more tangible and specific than it would be without the drawings to refer to.
Clarity is gained once the picture has been made.
You’ll see that the dialog will be about the differences or similarities, the decisions made, the reasons why those decisions are working or not. A picture is a tool to aid communication and represent choices being made. A new picture can be drawn together or separately and then compared again. Get rid of the pieces that aren’t working, combine the elements that are. Iterate and refine until you have a picture that the team can rally around.
I bet you that if you start drawing pictures, you will eliminate at least 1000 words from your next meeting and get to clarity faster together.