We often think of communication as speaking or writing, showing someone a sign or a signal…but ultimately, it’s about creating an experience through which information is shared.

I went out last night in NYC with my family to see the play TRIBES which is truly exceptional. And it was exceptional as a theater experience not just because of the script but because of the experience…an experience created by the director (and MacArthur recipient) David Cromer, the actors, sound designer, lighting designer, set designer, prop master, etc.

Think of your presentations and communications in this same way….How can you design an experience?

You may say to yourself that you don’t have experience in theater…but I’ll bet you have experience hosting parties. And when you host a dinner party, you are in essence like a director. Great dinner parties are memorable not just because of the conversation (words, script, notes) and the information shared, but because of all the elements – the way it was put together.

A dinner party host is like a theater director and the people invited are like the cast. Then of course you have the setting, sound, lights, props/details. The list goes on.

So keep this all in mind for your next communication event whether it’s a staff meeting or client consultation, an interaction with a customer or patient, an all hands gathering or a large scale keynote address.

From first to final moment, what is the “dramatic journey” you take the other people on?

How can you craft something memorable and give them an experience they will forever be glad they had?