Context May Be King, but Flexibility Is Queen

Context Is King

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase Context is King, which roughly explains that there’s no meaning without the given context.

Think about it – what may be helpful in one context may certainly come off as passive or even passive-aggressive in another. If you’ve ever heard or said “You’re a genius,” you know what I’m talking about.

The context shapes our meaning, but the audience shapes the delivery – which is why flexibility is crucial. Let me elaborate.

Diamonds Are Not Forever, and the Crown Is Only an Illusion

When I started teaching, all my students were adult learners of different profiles and backgrounds, from IT professionals and bankers to C-Something-Os.

The first thing you learn when you start teaching is that you cannot teach anything if you cannot adapt to the environment. Or, in broader terms – the context.

This reminds me of a situation when I overheard a group of tech students talking about their internships.

Two future IT professionals were roasting their friend, who was clearly – based on the admiration they had for him – one of those prodigal tech wizards.

The girl said, “Oh, you’re so lucky they offered you internship with them, I have to do the search on my own.”

The other guy added, “Me too… So tell us about the interview – how did that go?”

The prodigy went on to briefly explain the process and how easy the “technical” questions were.

Then he paused, rolled his eyes, and continued with a sigh of disbelief. “But then they asked me the dumbest question ever. I’m still shocked, to be honest.”

The other two seemed curious to learn what the dumbest question ever was.

“Imagine this: they asked me to explain what a database is to a 5-year-old.” He chuckled.

The other two just glanced at each other, and then at their friend. “So… What did you tell them?” they asked, warily.

“What did I tell them?!” He opened his eyes wide. “I told them as it is – a database is a complex concept, and a 5-year-old does not have the mental capacity to comprehend it.”

The other two just eyeballed each other quietly, and I squinted my eyes at the guy, certain he’d never fit in in any of the tech teams I was working with at the time.

Trying to ease the awkward situation, the girl offered, “Well, you could have told them that a database is like a box where you store all your toys.”

“Or a sock drawer,” chimed in the second friend.

But the prodigy would have none of it. “Seriously, what is wrong with the two of you? Coding is a serious thing, and it’s none of a 5-year-old’s business. If they want to dumb down their work, perhaps they should hire 5-year-olds.”

The tram stopped, and the three got off.

I was left thinking. This was the first time I truly saw the other side of the medal. Until then, I was always the prodigy – just in a different environment. But suddenly, I realized there’s a difference between a prodigy and… a prodigy.

Perhaps I didn’t know the exact technical specifications of a database, but I was definitely able to explain what a database was – both to a 5-year-old and a 105-year-old – an a-ha moment that will echo in my head for the rest of my life.

Flexibility Is Queen

To circle back, yes – context does shape meaning, but delivery is crucial for its understanding. It’s not the same if you speak to a client, or your best friend, or… well, a 5-year-old.

What’s more, tone is contextual, so you’d better have yours in check when trying to convey any message.

Being clear and concise helps avoid sending mixed signals and build trust.

Therefore, knowing your context is only the beginning. Being able to flex your message is what really counts.

Just like in chess – the King may be the MVP of the game, but it’s the Queen that safeguards the crown with all the legwork.