The space between

The space between 11/02/2009

I was fascinated by this work of outdoor art in National Harbor, Maryland. I clearly wasn't the only one who was fascinated - I saw many people climbing on the giant hand or standing by a giant foot.And while I was enjoying the sculpture, it also occurred to me how much of the art was created in our own minds. When you looked at this, you immediately filled in the missing pieces. You didn't see a head and a hand, instead you saw a complete person, with the missing parts buried in the sand.

I have to admit, this was a bit problematic when I tried to take the photo from the opposite end of the giant figure, with my camera pointing from his feet up to his head. I suddenly realized exactly what portion of the body lay in the "space between." That's when I decided to relocate to the upper portion of the body.

I wonder how we could apply this principle (the space between one, not the one about the missing body part) to presentations. What could we omit to give our audience a chance to fill in the missing pieces? I use questions in my presentations but maybe there are some answers that should be left unresolved in order to make a point. Maybe I can craft slides that take advantage of more white space and leave more to the imagination.

On my way to this conference in National Harbor, I was reading "Leaders Make the Future" by Bob Johansen and he made reference to the idea of the "space between" several times. My favorite quote is this one "The space between judging too soon (the classic mistake of problem solvers) and deciding too late (the classic mistake of academics) is a space leaders of the future must love -- without staying there too long."

Just imagine what we can do if we make the most of "the space between."

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Geni Whitehouse
Countess of Communication

Brotemarkle,Davis and Co. LLP

Author of How to Make a Boring
Subject Interesting : 52 ways
even a nerd can be heard

Read about my next book and evil plan - hatched on Pi day of 2011.

I am an accountant on a mission. I want to permanently remove the blight of BORING that has attached itself to members of my profession.

But the boring blight doesn't stop there. It's everywhere. I've found it in wineries (although it's a tad more palatable when served with alcohol), in science labs, even in Art museums. And technology people carry the "B" gene too. But the condition need not be fatal.

I work with CPAs through my strategic partner, Mentor Plus, an
organization that has been providing
CPAs with the skills their clients
crave for more than 19 years.

I lecture around the country to
accountants and technology
audiences and I have a ball.

I was a partner in an Atlanta CPA firm when I realized technology was
my true passion and I have been
fighting the nerd versus geek battle
ever since.

And through some stroke of absolutely amazing luck, I now find myself in Napa -- the most gorgeous, hospitable place imaginable.

Are you on Twitter?

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Contact me

geni@evenanerd.com

I am a graduate of the Jeff Justice
Comedy Workshoppe and the
Persuasive Speaker course taught
by Speechworks. I highly recommend both of these organizations.

I am not unbiased, nor do I wish to be. I have done work for anyone and everyone in the software industry or the accounting profession. But if I am not impressed by what you do or can't find an angle that is interesting or unique, I won't work for or with you. And if you are stodgy or boring, there are not enough dollars or even euros to make me help you.

See samples of my
writing here:

www.salestaxradar.com

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