Alan Alda’s 5 Rules for Clear Communication
By John Millen
If you’re of a certain age, you might know Alan Alda as the charming actor from a program called MASH, one of the most successful TV series of all time, or his many roles in film.
But what you may not know is that Alda is also one of the most influential voices in science communication. Yep—science.
Over the past two decades, Alda has made it his mission to help scientists, doctors and other professionals speak more clearly and connect more meaningfully with their audiences.
In 2009 he founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, helping thousands of people learn how to communicate complex ideas without dumbing them down—or losing their audience.
I’ve long believed that communication isn’t about what you say—it’s about what the other person hears. Alda takes this one step further: it’s not just about the message, it’s about the connection you make with people.
Here are five practical tips I've discerned from Alda’s communication approach that you can start using today:
1. Start with empathy, not Information
Alda’s golden rule of communication is simple: empathy first.
He says, “Real listening is being willing to let the other person change you.” That means stepping into the other person’s shoes and asking, How are they hearing this? What do they care about?
Most of us start with the facts—data, logic or bullet points. But if your audience isn’t ready to hear it, they won’t absorb it.
Instead, begin with what matters to them. Tell a story, relate a feeling or acknowledge their point of view.
Try this: Before your next meeting or conversation, spend 60 seconds thinking about what the other person wants or needs. How might they be feeling? Start there.
2. Use the power of story
Alda loves stories. Why? Because stories are how our brains make sense of the world.
In his book If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?, Alda shares how storytelling helps listeners remember and connect with information. As I’ve written before, science backs this up—people remember stories up to 22 times more than facts alone.
But storytelling doesn’t mean delivering a TED Talk every time you speak. It can be as simple as sharing a moment, a challenge or a change.
Try this: Instead of jumping into data or recommendations, tell a quick story about a real situation that illustrates your point. Make it personal if you can.
3. Ditch the jargon
Whether you’re in business, government or non-profit work, jargon is everywhere. But it’s often a shortcut for you, not for your audience.
Alda encourages communicators to practice what he calls the “explanation game.” That’s where you try to explain your idea to someone completely outside your field—like a 12-year-old, or your grandmother. If they look confused, you revise and try again.
This isn’t about “dumbing down” the message. It’s about making it accessible without losing its substance.
Try this: After writing an email or preparing for a talk, go through your language and ask: “Would a smart person outside my field understand this the first time?”
4. Use improv (seriously)
Yes, Alda really teaches improv to scientists.
Why? Because improvisation sharpens your ability to stay present, listen actively and respond in real time. It’s not about being funny—it’s about being human.
Improv builds trust, makes you more adaptable and helps you handle unexpected questions or changes. It also keeps communication from becoming one-sided or robotic.
Try this: The next time you have a conversation, focus on listening to understand, not to reply. Repeat back what the other person said in your own words. See how that changes the dynamic.
5. Connect emotion to ideas
People remember feelings more than facts. Alda often says, “If you’re just sharing information, you’re not connecting.”
When you speak, look for the emotional core of your message. What’s the human impact? How does it affect people’s lives, jobs or sense of meaning?
You don’t need to get overly dramatic. But a well-placed pause, a tone shift or a meaningful metaphor can go a long way.
Try this: Take your key idea and ask, What’s the emotional hook here? Then craft one sentence that taps into that emotion before presenting your main point.
Alan Alda isn’t just a great communicator—he’s a great connector. His approach reminds us that communication isn’t a performance; it’s a relationship.
If we want to be heard, we need to hear. If we want to teach, we need to connect.
So the next time you step into a meeting, send an email or pitch an idea, ask yourself: Am I just talking, or am I making a connection?
That shift might be the most powerful tool to transform your communication.
