Main image of article Communication Tips from Technology Speakers

Summary

According to data from numerous surveys, the most-requested soft skill for tech professionals is communication. Individuals who can effectively convey technical concepts, solutions or ideas in a clear and understandable manner may perform better in their roles, increasing their potential for raises and promotions.

While it’s true that acquiring strong communication skills often requires significant effort, persistence and overcoming personal limitations, it is doable.

To help boost your skills, we asked two software engineers who have mastered the art of public speaking to give you some key pointers. Here are some of the techniques they use that can be applied to everyday situations.

Communication can go wrong when you fail to shape your communication style, the language you use or the points you stress in a way that helps your audience follow along and grasp your main points, said Brian Sletten, a software consultant, instructor and experienced public speaker.

Whether you’re speaking to one person or an entire group, think about what they want to know or how you can add value or solve their problems. “Focus on their needs, not yours,” Sletten said.

You can get better at anticipating and comprehending the emotions and intentions of others by developing strong ‘theory of mind’ skills, such as empathy.

Practicing empathy can help you understand and speak to the motives of your audience, agreed John Sonmez, founder of Simple Programmer, career coach, and author of, “Soft Skills: The Software Developer's Life Manual.”

Ask yourself: What does my audience care about? How can I help them given the amount of time and the communication format, such as a panel discussion, online conference or one-on-one meeting?

Do some research on their backgrounds, expertise and goals. That way, you'll know how much explanation or technical detail you will need to get your main points across.

Sharing experiences and insights from your perspective can also help you build empathy and connect with the audience, Sletten added.

Considering what the audience might be thinking or what they already know can help you plan ahead and anticipate how you should come across, which will help you feel more confident—and confidence is a key factor in communicating effectively. When you’re more assured, you are more likely to express your thoughts and ideas clearly and persuasively; plus you will engage in active listening and consider the opinions and perspectives of others.

You can also become a better communicator by paying attention to how the audience is perceiving you.

For instance, Sonmez keeps an eye on the audience’s reaction when he speaks. Do they seem engaged? Should he speed up or slow down? Do they look bored or puzzled? When he records a YouTube video, he envisions a specific person when he looks into the camera and speaks directly to them.

The best communicators actively pay attention to their audience's reactions and behaviors and then adjust their message, tone and delivery style in real time to better engage and connect with their listeners. They also ask open-ended questions that are designed to engage the audience and ensure all points are understood.

You may not realize it, but professional speakers pause for one to three seconds every few sentences. And the same advice applies to conversations, negotiations and meetings.

Try not to use filler words such as “uhs” and “ums.” Practice pausing for up to five seconds after each key point to give the audience a moment to process what’s been presented or discussed.

Writing articles, essays, blog posts or even answering questions on tech discussion forums on a consistent basis can make you a better communicator in the everyday situations you encounter at work.

“Perfecting my writing skills has made me a better speaker,” noted Sonmez, who took the blog-to-book pathway.

It’s difficult to communicate complex ideas or speak clearly on the fly. Getting the things you want to communicate down on paper teaches you to organize your thoughts and sharpen the substance of your ideas and the words you use.

Don’t become dependent on AI chatbots either, or you won’t get better, Sletten warned. Writing is a human process that kickstarts your brain and exposes the holes in your thinking, increasing your ability to communicate and learn.

Believe it or not, Somez says that he used to be shy and introverted. Blogging, creating online courses and recording YouTube videos built his competence, his confidence and even transformed his voice and presence.

“The only reason you aren’t good at communicating or public speaking, is that you just haven’t done it enough to get past your nervousness,” Sonmez says. “Charisma can be developed.”

Start practicing in an environment where you’re most comfortable. For instance, try making short presentations to people you have the most influence over, such as a small group of peers. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Practice providing updates about your current work progress, any roadblocks you're facing, and your plan for the next steps during daily stand-up meetings. Try participating in a group discussion at a cross-functional team meeting where you need to clearly express your opinion.

“It’s okay to struggle,” Sletten noted.

As you become more comfortable, keep challenging yourself to communicate with larger and larger groups of people. Take deliberate steps to push yourself outside your comfort zone by practicing, asking for feedback, critiquing your work and committing to continual improvement.