don’t explain it like I’m five

There’s a well-known phrase that pops up in certain corners of the internet: Explain it like I’m five (often abbreviated as ELI5). When people encounter a complex idea, a breaking news story, or even the latest reality TV scandal, they sometimes just want the simplest possible explanation—something that reads like a summary from the Simple English Wikipedia.

When you’re presenting complicated information, you might be tempted to take this same approach—assuming that your audience wants you to break things down as if they were five years old. Don’t do it! The ELI5 method encourages the wrong mindset. Five-year-olds need explanations that are superficial and stripped of nuance because their brains are still developing. We tailor our speech to their level, stretching their comprehension to its limits. But if you talked to an adult that way, they’d feel completely condescended to.

Your audience isn’t made up of children. In almost every business setting, you’re speaking to intelligent adults—capable thinkers who can process complexity. The only difference between you and them at the moment you start your presentation is that they’re simply under-informed. Rather than dumbing things down, imagine you’re explaining the topic to the smartest people you know—on their very first day at a new job. Your role is to orient them, equipping them with the knowledge they need to make decisions, take action, and get others on board with your recommendations.

With this mindset, you’ll frame your communication effectively. You’ll provide crucial context, guide people through key considerations, and help them understand both what needs to be done and why it matters. And as any parent can tell you, “Why?” is a favorite question of five-year-olds—but it’s not one they’re great at answering.