Intelligence Quote by Eric Sevareid
““Never underestimate your listener's intelligence, or overestimate you listener's information.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: CBS News, 1960
Underestimate your audience’s intellect or overestimate their knowledge, and communication fails.
In simple terms: Know your audience’s intelligence and knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Match message to audience.
Themes
communication
humility
education
Mood
instructive
pragmatic
Type
educational
strategic
When to use this quote
- teaching
- public speaking
- marketing
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
information theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you gauge audience expertise?
- What signs indicate overestimation?
A Different Perspective
Assuming knowledge can alienate listeners.
