--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you simply present data, it’s easy for…" description: "\"“If you simply present data, it’s easy for your audience to say, “Oh, that’s interesting,” and move on to the next thing. But if you ask for action, yo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic-20054_first-place_if-you-simply-present-data-it-s-easy-for_1888219.jpg" --- # If you simply present data, it’s easy for your audience to… ![“If you simply present data, it’s easy for your audience to say, “Oh, that’s interesting,” and move on to the next thing. But if you ask for action, your audience has to make a decision whether to comply or not. This elicits a more productive reaction from your audience, which can lead to a more…” quote by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic-20054_first-place_if-you-simply-present-data-it-s-easy-for_1888219.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic-20054_first-place_if-you-simply-present-data-it-s-easy-for_1888219.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb0/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic-20054_first-place_if-you-simply-present-data-it-s-easy-for_1888219.jpg) > ““If you simply present data, it’s easy for your audience to say, “Oh, that’s interesting,” and move on to the next thing. But if you ask for action, your audience has to make a decision whether to comply or not. This elicits a more productive reaction from your audience, which can lead to a more productive conversation—one that might never have been started if you hadn’t recommended the action in the first place.”” [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Data alone informs; calls to action engage audiences, prompting decisions and deeper dialogue. **In simple terms:** Ask for action to spark productive conversation. Key Takeaway Prompt action for engagement. Themes communication data presentation decision making audience engagement productivity Mood strategic thoughtful Type business educational When to use this quote - business meetings - marketing pitches - policy briefings - educational workshops Key Concepts behavioral economics persuasion actionable insights Questions to Reflect On - How can you frame actions to feel collaborative? - What incentives increase audience compliance? A Different Perspective Action requests can be ignored if perceived as demanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) ## Related quotes > [I love playing live, I don't like studios all that much. I need the reaction of the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-rossdale/i-love-playing-live-i-don-t-like-studios-all-that-much-i-need-the/) [Gavin Rossdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-rossdale/) > [One really can't control or think about the reaction of the audience because you're so steeped in trying to get what you feel is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nutter/one-really-can-t-control-or-think-about-the-reaction-of-the-audience/) [David Nutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nutter/) > [The task is to influence and create a reaction in the audience. In my opinion, any reaction of a human being in the audience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andris-nelsons/the-task-is-to-influence-and-create-a-reaction-in-the-audience-in-my/) [Andris Nelsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andris-nelsons/) > [ The live audience, just getting an instant reaction off of an audience is the best part\[of the show\]. Being in the studio and working… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake-bell/the-live-audience-just-getting-an-instant-reaction-off-of-an-audience/) [Drake Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake-bell/) > [It is a feel-good factor when you get an instant reaction from the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeenat-aman/it-is-a-feel-good-factor-when-you-get-an-instant-reaction-from-the/) [Zeenat Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeenat-aman/) > [I've done theater most of my career, and I get to see the reaction of the audience right after the show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-robinson/i-ve-done-theater-most-of-my-career-and-i-get-to-see-the-reaction-of/) [Angela Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-robinson/) > [When you dance and move around it creates a different reaction from the audience - they love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-lambert/when-you-dance-and-move-around-it-creates-a-different-reaction-from/) [Adam Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-lambert/) > ['Survivor' was, to me, an absolute reaction that the audience was having to the sort of staid nature of narrative drama on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-schlamme/survivor-was-to-me-an-absolute-reaction-that-the-audience-was-having/) [Thomas Schlamme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-schlamme/) > [When you're onstage you have a certain faith that somebody's gonna yell somethin' back. Some nights it's louder than other nights and some nights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/when-you-re-onstage-you-have-a-certain-faith-that-somebody-s-gonna/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [The most charming thing about theatre is that you get an instant reaction from the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/supriya-pathak/the-most-charming-thing-about-theatre-is-that-you-get-an-instant/) [Supriya Pathak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/supriya-pathak/) > [Having a live audience makes a world of difference to the acting. It keeps your timing sharp. When something doesn't work, the actor can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-white/having-a-live-audience-makes-a-world-of-difference-to-the-acting-it/) [Betty White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-white/) > [An actor must communicate his author's given message--comedy, tragedy, serio- comedy; then comes his unique moment, as he is confronted by the looked-for, yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-robson-belmont/an-actor-must-communicate-his-author-s-given-message-comedy-tragedy/) [Eleanor Robson Belmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-robson-belmont/) > [I wanted to have a reaction from the audience. I wanted to be able to talk to somebody, and not be talking just to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernardo-bertolucci/i-wanted-to-have-a-reaction-from-the-audience-i-wanted-to-be-able-to/) [Bernardo Bertolucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernardo-bertolucci/) > [I love doing the radio, and it's different every day. But stand-up is just you and the immediate reaction of the audience. So I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-love-doing-the-radio-and-it-s-different-every-day-but-stand-up-is/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [When it came to eliciting a reaction from an audience, especially at the time, I think Ric Flair is the guy who is constantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samoa-joe/when-it-came-to-eliciting-a-reaction-from-an-audience-especially-at/) [Samoa Joe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samoa-joe/) ## More by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic > [“My base color is grey, not black, to allow for greater contrast since color stands out more against grey than black. For my attention-grabbing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/my-base-color-is-grey-not-black-to-allow-for-greater-contrast-since/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“What do you need your audience to know or do? This is the point where you think through how to make what you communicate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/what-do-you-need-your-audience-to-know-or-do-this-is-the-point-where/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“The biggest shift was from a bar graph to a line graph. As we’ve discussed, line graphs typically make it easier to see trends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/the-biggest-shift-was-from-a-bar-graph-to-a-line-graph-as-we-ve/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“When you have just a number or two that you want to communicate: use the numbers directly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/when-you-have-just-a-number-or-two-that-you-want-to-communicate-use/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“Concentrate on the pearls, the information your audience needs to know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/concentrate-on-the-pearls-the-information-your-audience-needs-to-know/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“Will you be encountering each other for the first time through this communication, or do you have an established relationship? Do they already trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/will-you-be-encountering-each-other-for-the-first-time-through-this/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“Never again will you simply show data. Rather, you will create visualizations that are thoughtfully designed to impart information and incite action.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/never-again-will-you-simply-show-data-rather-you-will-create/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“Don’t show the second y-axis. Instead, label the data points that belong on this axis directly. Pull the graphs apart vertically and have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/don-t-show-the-second-y-axis-instead-label-the-data-points-that/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“Figure 5.10 Add action title and annotation In Figure 5.10, thoughtful use of text makes the design accessible. It’s clear to the audience what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/figure-5-10-add-action-title-and-annotation-in-figure-5-10-thoughtful/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“Affordances In the field of design, experts speak of objects having “affordances.” These are aspects inherent to the design that make it obvious how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/affordances-in-the-field-of-design-experts-speak-of-objects-having/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“Horizontal bar chart If I had to pick a single go-to graph for categorical data, it would be the horizontal bar chart, which flips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/horizontal-bar-chart-if-i-had-to-pick-a-single-go-to-graph-for/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“Alignment The single change having the biggest impact in the preceding before-and-after example was the shift from center-aligned to left-justified text. In the original…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/alignment-the-single-change-having-the-biggest-impact-in-the/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“What would a successful outcome look like? If you only had a limited amount of time or a single sentence to tell your audience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/what-would-a-successful-outcome-look-like-if-you-only-had-a-limited/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“Highlighting one aspect can make other things harder to see One word of warning in using preattentive attributes: when you highlight one point in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/highlighting-one-aspect-can-make-other-things-harder-to-see-one-word/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) > [“We’ll discuss six principles here: proximity, similarity, enclosure, closure, continuity, and connection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/we-ll-discuss-six-principles-here-proximity-similarity-enclosure/) [Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) [Explore all 31 Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-nussbaumer-knaflic/) ## More Audience quotes > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It's those moments, those odd moments that you look for and sometimes by creating this kind of loose atmosphere you find those little moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/it-s-those-moments-those-odd-moments-that-you-look-for-and-sometimes/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [One of the best moments of any Liars show is hearing the crowd squawk 'We're doomed! We're doomed!' on cue during 'We Fenced Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-sheffield/one-of-the-best-moments-of-any-liars-show-is-hearing-the-crowd-squawk/) [Rob Sheffield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-sheffield/) > [It's the adrenaline rush you only get from being in front of an audience. It's addictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-saadiq/it-s-the-adrenaline-rush-you-only-get-from-being-in-front-of-an/) [Raphael Saadiq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-saadiq/) > [If I had to speak in front of a Korean audience, I would be hard pressed to sound other than a little girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/an-na/if-i-had-to-speak-in-front-of-a-korean-audience-i-would-be-hard/) [An Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/an-na/) > [The liveness of theater, and the excitement of experiencing it alongside an audience, is something you can't get at home. That makes the theater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-blaemire/the-liveness-of-theater-and-the-excitement-of-experiencing-it/) [Nick Blaemire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-blaemire/) > [One of the things that touches me most when I play for an audience is that although we may be unable to communicate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hough/one-of-the-things-that-touches-me-most-when-i-play-for-an-audience-is/) [Stephen Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hough/) > [I have to feel the audience. I enjoy that feeling of community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-have-to-feel-the-audience-i-enjoy-that-feeling-of-community/) [Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/) > [When you lived it for years and years and years and seen different characters just get pummeled and squashed because 'I said so,' it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arn-anderson/when-you-lived-it-for-years-and-years-and-years-and-seen-different/) [Arn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arn-anderson/) > [“During the first few minutes of your presentation, your job is to assure the audience members that you are not going to waste their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/during-the-first-few-minutes-of-your-presentation-your-job-is-to/) [Dale Ludwig and Greg Owen-Boger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-ludwig-and-greg-owen-boger/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. I've been trying to say for I don't know how many months now that the traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-different-ball-of-wax-i-ve-been-trying-to-say-for-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't think about who the audience is for my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-about-who-the-audience-is-for-my-books/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I feel I have been playing all primary characters. And if your character forms a connect with the audience, it doesn't matter if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angad-bedi/i-feel-i-have-been-playing-all-primary-characters-and-if-your/) [Angad Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angad-bedi/) > [When I was playing piano, it was like, 'I'm going to write a song using all the white keys.' My music director, who knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/when-i-was-playing-piano-it-was-like-i-m-going-to-write-a-song-using/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) [Browse all 9,118 Audience quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If you simply present data, it’s easy for your audience to say, “Oh, that’s interesting,” and move on to the next thing. But if you ask for action, your audience has to make a decision whether to comply or not. 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