No tech professional operates in a vacuum: on a daily basis, you need to communicate frequently with non-technical colleagues in marketing, sales, the C-suite, and other departments. And while you may have no problem discussing the nuances of APIs and algorithms, those colleagues may have precious little idea what you’re talking about when it comes to tech. How can you bridge this “communication gap” and ensure that your messages about deliverables, resources, and projects truly resonates with them?
Speak a Common Language
Whether you’re giving an in-person presentation or communicating by email, take a moment to reframe the more technical aspects of your message for a general audience:
- Ditch the Jargon: Technical terms may be second nature to you, but they'll likely sound like gibberish to others. Replace jargon with plain English. Instead of "leverage a cloud-based solution," for example, you can say something like, "a web-based program that can be accessed from anywhere."
- Focus on End Results: Don't get bogged down in technical details, because there’s zero reason for most of your colleagues to know those. Instead, explain in broad terms why this technology matters and how it will benefit them. For example, instead of talking about the issues involved in porting a mobile app to Android, discuss how carrying this out will open up a new, huge audience.
- Conduct a Pre-meeting Review: Before any discussion, identify technical terms you might use and jot down simpler synonyms. This quick prep will make your explanations smoother.
- The "ELI5" Test: If you hang out on Reddit, you’re familiar with the “EL15” subreddit, where people try to reframe complicated concepts in as simple a way as possible. Take some inspiration from this. Can you break it down into simple steps and everyday language? If not, reframe your explanation.
Pictures Help!
A picture is worth a thousand words—and can help you quickly show how something works to a non-technical audience.
- Let’s Look at the Chart: A well-designed chart, infographic, or even a simple sketch can do wonders. Visuals can convey complex relationships and data points in a way that words alone often can't.
- Interactivity Sells Concepts: Consider using interactive prototypes or demos to allow your audience to explore the technology themselves. This hands-on approach can boost engagement and understanding.
- Keep it Simple: Don't overload your visuals with too much information. Focus on clear, concise visuals that complement your explanation.
Talk Things Through
We’ve all given presentations where we’ve concluded, asked if there are any questions, and only heard crickets. People don’t like to speak up if they don’t understand something, which puts the pressure on you to kick off a friendly conversation about whatever you’re explaining.
- Check for Understanding: Periodically ask questions to gauge their understanding and address any confusion.
- Welcome Questions: Encourage questions throughout your explanation. Open communication fosters collaboration and ensures everyone is on the same page.
- Tell a Story: Weave a narrative around the technology. How will it improve processes? How will it impact customers? Stories make complex topics more relatable and memorable.
- Embrace the "Yes, And..." Approach: Use questions and audience input to build on your explanation and tailor it to their specific needs.
Conclusion
Remember, by mastering the art of explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences, you can build stronger collaborations, drive innovation, and ensure everyone is onboard with your plans. It’s just as essential a part of your workflow as coding.
