The Power of Drawing

Written by Mark Jenkins, CA | Feb 21, 2019 12:50:46 AM

A picture paints a thousand words. So why don't we draw more?

My old excuse (below the line thinking) was that I'm an accountant and therefore I can't draw. Too bad if you're a visual learner, you'll just have to listen to what I say or read my words. Worse still, I'll subject you to death by PowerPoint. Does this sound familiar?

Those of you who've worked with me will know, as bad as my awkward left-handed writing and drawing is, I am constantly scribbling onto a flipchart or whiteboard. I do this because I know how much more powerful it is for you, as the audience, to follow what I'm talking about as I'm writing or drawing it.

In 'The Decision Book' by Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschappeler, there's a chapter that is music to my ears (or should I say candy for my eyes). It explains why you should draw while you talk, stating three clear advantages:

1. The audience does not JUST listen to you.

1. The audience does not just listen to you - it also looks at what you are doing. You receive twice as much attention.

2. Attention is directed from your person to your subject.

2. Attention is directed from your person to your subject - people are not distracted by what you're wearing, your mannerisms or your brown zip-up shoes!

3. Images are always evoked in connection with feelings & places.

3. Images are always remembered in connection with feelings and places - your audience will look at the model and remember your message.

So, finally I have validation that it doesn't matter how messy my art is - it is still better than my lecture or PowerPoint presentation.

Book a demo to learn how The Gap is helping accountants around the world communicate in authentic new ways.

'The more sophisticated and perfect a drawing is, the more alienating it is. With simple clear drawings the audience gets the feeling they could do this too.'

- The Decision Book by Michael Krogerus and Roman Tschappeler

View full post