How to Explain Complex Ideas in Simple Ways (Even for a 10-Year-Old)

Dr. PK and 10-year-old Samson break down tech through the science of airplanes

As a tech professional, you've likely faced the challenge of explaining intricate ideas to people outside your field. Whether it’s justifying a product roadmap to stakeholders, breaking down an algorithm for clients, or educating junior team members, communicating complex topics effectively is a skill that sets apart great leaders and innovators.

Recently, Dr. Pique explored this challenge in a conversation with his 10-year-old son, Samson, using aerodynamics as a case study. The goal? To see if a child could grasp a concept as intricate as flight mechanics—and, in turn, refine the art of making complexity accessible.

The Framework: Four Forces, One Clear Explanation

Dr. PK introduces Samson to the four forces that keep an airplane in the air:

Thrust : Imagine the engines of an airplane as the pedals of a bicycle, pushing it forward.
Drag: Think of drag as the wind pushing against you when you ride a bike downhill.
Lift: Lift is like the suction effect of a vacuum cleaner, pulling the airplane upwards.
Weight: Weight is the force of gravity, similar to how you feel pulled down when you jump."

Rather than resorting to jargon, he used everyday analogies—like how a bicycle slows down due to air resistance (drag) or how a suction cup mimics the way wings generate lift.

"Now, if a pilot can control an aircraft at 30,000 feet, we can definitely learn how to navigate clear communication on the ground." -Dr. Paulin Kantue

Key Takeaways for Tech Professionals

1. Use Relatable Analogies

Analogies provide a mental shortcut, making complex concepts easier to understand and reducing cognitive load. For instance, if a 10-year-old can grasp aerodynamics by comparing it to suction pads, non-technical stakeholders can better understand machine learning by relating it to pattern recognition in human decision-making. Similarly, when explaining blockchain to investors, you can compare it to a public ledger, like a shared Google Doc where every change is recorded and verified. To help a designer understand APIs, describe them as restaurant menus—clients (users) order from a set selection, and the kitchen (server) prepares the request. By tailoring analogies to your audiences, you can make complex ideas more accessible and strengthen overall comprehension across industries.

2. Ask Questions Instead of Just Explaining

Dr. PK engaged Samson by prompting him with questions:

"What happens if you stop pedaling your bike?"
"Would an airplane fly without wings?"
"Why do bigger planes need larger wings?"

This interactive approach ensured understanding, rather than passive reception. In a tech context, this means guiding clients or junior developers toward answers instead of overwhelming them with explanations. Before continuing, take a moment to reflect—what’s one tech concept you’ve struggled to explain clearly? How did you approach it?

3. Break Down Complexity into Steps

Rather than dumping all the information at once, concepts were introduced incrementally:

Establish a baseline (e.g., what makes things move in the air?).
Introduce opposing forces (thrust vs. drag, lift vs. weight).
Relate them to real-world scenarios (why fighter jets have smaller wings than passenger planes).

This layered approach mirrors how effective technical documentation or API onboarding should be structured—sequential, digestible, and practical.

4. Make It Engaging

Samson remained interested because the discussion involved his favorite aircraft—the Concorde and the SR-71 Blackbird. In tech, engagement can be fostered by connecting abstract concepts to real-world applications, industry use cases, or problem-solving scenarios relevant to your audience. For example, if explaining cybersecurity to a non-technical executive, frame it as home security—firewalls as locked doors, antivirus software as a security guard, and phishing as social engineering scams.

"Fighter jets have small wings but can still carry heavy loads because they fly faster and generate more suction." - Dr. Paulin Kantue

The Real-World Application

Whether you’re explaining a DevOps pipeline to a marketing team, breaking down blockchain for investors, or guiding a junior developer through an unfamiliar codebase, clear communication is non-negotiable. The ability to simplify without oversimplifying can improve collaboration, buy-in, and execution.

Next time you're explaining a complex topic, ask yourself:

Am I using a relatable analogy?
Am I guiding them with questions?
Am I breaking it down in a logical sequence?

If a 10-year-old can grasp aerodynamics through these principles, your clients, stakeholders, or non-technical colleagues can certainly understand your next big idea.