Skip to content

If you can't explain what you're doing in simple English…

“If you can't explain what you're doing in simple English, you are probably doing something wrong.” quote by Alfred Kahn
Download Open image
“If you can't explain what you're doing in simple English, you are probably doing something wrong.”

Alfred Kahn

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

If your work cannot be described in plain language, it likely lacks clarity or purpose.

In simple terms: Complex work needs simple explanation.

Key Takeaway

Simplify your process.

Themes

communication clarity efficiency

Mood

analytical pragmatic

Type

advice instructional

When to use this quote

  • team meetings
  • technical documentation
  • teaching
  • product design

Key Concepts

cognitive load explainability

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you test if your explanation is truly simple?
  • What details might you be omitting?
A Different Perspective

Simple language may oversimplify nuanced ideas.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Alfred Kahn

Explore all 7 Alfred Kahn quotes

More Doing quotes

Browse all 10,133 Doing quotes