Simple vs. complex slides

Angie Flynn-McIver

Angie Flynn-McIver

For several years, I sent out a blog to readers a few times a week. These posts gave pointers about how to practice, shared relevant stories, and provided a way for people to connect with my coaching approach. In 2022, I wrote my book, Before You Say Anything, which brought many of these ideas together in one place. The blog posts have continued to resonate with clients and readers, and they're useful as a quick reminder, so I'm including them here!

If you’re presenting with slides, remember this guideline.


Either your visuals or your message can be complex, but not both.


If your slide has a lot of data, several bullet points, or a complex graph, your job is to give your audience one or two simple, direct headlines to guide them to what is most important.


On the other hand, if your slides are clean and highlight just one idea, you can use the visual as a point of departure to develop the ideas in your message verbally, connecting to your audience’s needs.

Point to the passer

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