Scientific discussions with non scientific peope in power?

[ruffryder]

Scientific discussions with non scientific people in power?

Have you guys ever been in this situation? Trying to discuss very technical issues with people that don't have a technical background?

How did you overcome the issues? How did you communicate effectively?

Curious what your thoughts are.

 

[POLZIN]

Yeah its really hard to explain common sense to engineers!

Really tough one .The boss or customer usually gets pissed when you break out the big cheif tablet and crayons!

seriously this is a tough one. It seems as though you need to educate them first.

Best thing I have found is to make it a mulitiple choice answer for them . That way you can explain the differences in the out come rather than dwelling on tech that they cant /wont undertsand anyway. You can also guide they choice to a degree with you input. This makes "their" choice a better one alot of the time.


Either way it makes you wonder how did they get to there position.

 

[skidoorulz]

With people who have half a brain it takes some doing and explaining. The best thing I have found is I explain things like I am talking to my 10 yr old grandson. Most adults will then get it. There have been times when I have lost my patience though and say things like. What part of I need a valve here (big X with a sharpie) did you not quite understand?
Then you get the ones like SRM, and we all know how that turns out.

 

[ruffryder]

The best thing I have found is I explain things like I am talking to my 10 yr old grandson.

Talking down to them doesn't really work. Most of the time it just shuts people down.

seriously this is a tough one. It seems as though you need to educate them first.

Best thing I have found is to make it a mulitiple choice answer for them . That way you can explain the differences in the out come rather than dwelling on tech that they cant /wont undertsand anyway. You can also guide they choice to a degree with you input. This makes "their" choice a better one alot of the time.

I agree on the education, making multiple choices sounds good to. I think comparisons would work as well. Group X does this, outcome is Y. We do R, outcome is S. S is a better outcome than Y.. Type of thing.

 

[Scott]

Have you guys ever been in this situation? Trying to discuss very technical issues with people that don't have a technical background?

How did you overcome the issues? How did you communicate effectively?

Curious what your thoughts are.

Yeah, I had one at a gas station on Friday with a toothless cashier who's ONLY answer (no matter HOW MANY different ways I rephrased my questions) is "We're prepaid dude..."

Yeah...I know those kinds of people.

 

[skidoorulz]

Talking down to them doesn't really work. Most of the time it just shuts people down.

That's funny because it works for me most of the time and has never caused anyone to shut down as you say. The simpler the better. And only give enough info as to not overwelm.

Today I had a clerk at a store that I was returning a fitting. The fitting was $5.49 I handed the receipt to him and put .51 cents on the counter and said just give me $6.00 back. I can't do that he said Sure you can I said. No I have to give you back the 5 49. I said ok and when he gave me back the refund I put the 49 on the counter with the 51 and he said ok we are done what is that change for? I said now you are going to give me a dollar bill. He said oh ok I get it now. Simpler is better.

 

[ruffryder]

That's funny because it works for me most of the time and has never caused anyone to shut down as you say. The simpler the better. And only give enough info as to not overwelm.

Today I had a clerk at a store that I was returning a fitting. The fitting was $5.49 I handed the receipt to him and put .51 cents on the counter and said just give me $6.00 back. I can't do that he said Sure you can I said. No I have to give you back the 5 49. I said ok and when he gave me back the refund I put the 49 on the counter with the 51 and he said ok we are done what is that change for? I said now you are going to give me a dollar bill. He said oh ok I get it now. Simpler is better.

I think your results would be different if you were trying to convince someone above you... like your boss, the board...

Maybe not..

 

[skidoorulz]

I think your results would be different if you were trying to convince someone above you... like your boss, the board...

Maybe not..

The problem with that statement is the boss has never spent one day doing what I have done for 33 years. There for I get a lot of respect from the man as he knows I know what I am talking about. (most of the time)

 

[94fordguy]

I wish it was required for Architects to spend at least 5 years working in the trade that they want to design stuff for... If I had a dollar for every time we find something in the blueprints for the building we are constructing that makes even the superintendent say "WTF"... it would be one heck of a bonus, lol.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

^^ serisouly. architecture drawings by people... makes me want to kill people. the plans are a work of art, just dont try to actually build the stuff or you will go nuts.

 

[POLZIN]

I wish it was required for Architects to spend at least 5 years working in the trade that they want to design stuff for... If I had a dollar for every time we find something in the blueprints for the building we are constructing that makes even the superintendent say "WTF"... it would be one heck of a bonus, lol.

^^ serisouly. architecture drawings by people... makes me want to kill people. the plans are a work of art, just dont try to actually build the stuff or you will go nuts.

I feel the same way about engineers! fawking tards !All theory no practice.But they have a worthless degree so they get hired for jobs they are utterly unqualified to do.

 

[winter brew]

Have you guys ever been in this situation? Trying to discuss very technical issues with people that don't have a technical background?

How did you overcome the issues? How did you communicate effectively?

Curious what your thoughts are.

Good question.

Are they looking for information from you? Or are you looking for information (or something) from them?
Are details really necessary or just trying to get a point across?
As long as they KNOW they are clueless about the subject then alalogies can be useful....use something they can relate to.

I deal with some VERY intelligent engineers at work....as well as some that havn't a iota of mechanical knowledge, so sometimes they are communicating "down" to my level, other times I am communicating mechanical or structural information to someone that deals with numbers....it can be frustrating for sure.

 

[snowmobilesrme]

I know exactly what you are talking about....

although it seems the more i talk to people ( older and younger ) like theyre ten years old, the more they get upset. almost like they think im insulting them.....

no im not insulting you guys..... im just insulting your intelligence.

this also applies to certain SnoWest members...

 

[ruffryder]

Are they looking for information from you? Or are you looking for information (or something) from them?
Are details really necessary or just trying to get a point across?
As long as they KNOW they are clueless about the subject then alalogies can be useful....use something they can relate to.

It is a situation where the group has the control, but doesn't have the knowledge and our job is to tell them the issues and what they should do.

The big problem is it is known that what we want them to do is not what they want to do, but they are wrong because they don't know enough of the subject.

How was that talking in circles...??

 

[winter brew]

That's where building trust with people is huge....if they trust you and your track record of success then they are less likely to question future recomendations or decisions.
I have no good suggestions except that being blunt and honest is usually the easiest and if they go against your recomendations it's on them, not you. Going over the plusses and minuses of each choice maybe?? Telling them what they want to hear is never a good choice.
And of course....talking points. They love those.

 

[snowmobiler]

people is spelled wrong in thread title.just saying...

 

[MORSNO]

people is spelled wrong in thread title.just saying...

Did gramma catch that or did you? Be honest

Back to the OP. Find out what the persons background is in and relate the conversation/subject into something they will understand. Not necessarily talking down to anyone, just adapting.

 

[ruffryder]

That's where building trust with people is huge....if they trust you and your track record of success then they are less likely to question future recomendations or decisions.

good point, no track record yet, but it might be something to work on or try and find ways of the larger project to get a couple little ones.

I have no good suggestions except that being blunt and honest is usually the easiest and if they go against your recomendations it's on them, not you. Going over the plusses and minuses of each choice maybe?? Telling them what they want to hear is never a good choice.

True

Good points everyone!

 

[duke1n]

Have you guys ever been in this situation? Trying to discuss very technical issues with people that don't have a technical background?

How did you overcome the issues? How did you communicate effectively?

Curious what your thoughts are.

With you... I just stopped trying. You or in this case I, can't fix stupid. Let me remind you Einstein, your silly liberal arts degree does not make you the genius you think you are. Don't make me start getting technical on your old ***.