Why Visual Models Beat PowerPoint Every Time
If you’ve ever sat in a meeting and been bored to death by slide after slide of words, you know the problem. PowerPoint kills attention.
Early in my career, I used slides. I even tried adding funny pictures just to wake people up. But it was still flat. People weren’t engaged, and worse, I didn’t look like a leader. I looked like just another presenter.
That’s when I discovered the power of visual models.
Why Visual Models Work
Visual models keep people’s eyes on you, not your slides. They:
Grab attention and keep it.
Make your ideas sticky and memorable.
Position you as an authority, not just a speaker.
Give your audience something simple to take with them.
Instead of flipping through endless slides, you can build your idea live in front of them. It’s simple, dynamic, and people lean in because they want to see where you’re going next.
The Framework: Three Simple Shapes
You don’t need to be a designer. You just need three shapes:
Circle
Use it for one or two ideas.
One idea? Put it in the center.
Two ideas? Split the circle in half.
Triangle
Perfect for three pillars.
I use it all the time, like when I explain the GAP: Goals, Accountability, Process.
Square (or Box)
Use it for four ideas.
Great for frameworks that need structure and containment.
Don’t Forget the Title
Before you draw your shape, write the title at the top and underline it.
This anchors the idea in their mind. Short titles are the best things, like:
The F4 Framework
The Stillness Switch™
The GAP
A strong title plus a simple model equals instant authority.
Build Anticipation
Here’s the secret: don’t fill it all in at once.
Draw your shape. Write the title. Then reveal each part one by one as you talk.
Your audience leans forward because they’re waiting to see what comes next. They’re not lost in bullet points. They’re with you, step by step.
From Presenter to Thought Leader
Visual models shift the way people see you. You’re no longer just presenting, you’re leading. You’re giving them a clear mental picture they’ll actually remember after the meeting.
So ditch the endless slides. Grab a marker, draw a circle, triangle, or square, and walk them through your idea.
Your Turn
Come up with a simple model for your own idea. Give it a title, underline it, pick a shape, and map it out. You’ll be surprised how much more powerful and memorable you become.
