Good communication is an invaluable asset for any technology professional. Whether you’re interviewing for a job, participating in an office meeting, or working with a client, strong communication skills often mean the difference between success and failure. With that in mind, let’s discuss eight communication tips that can help advance your career.
Tip #1: Keep It Simple, Clear, and Concise
As a technology professional, you have specialized knowledge about your industry. You may even be an expert in your field. However, you often need to communicate technical concepts and information to people who don’t have the same background. When you encounter these situations, make sure to use terminology that the collective group will understand.
In addition, it’s always important to ensure your meaning is clear. For example, you can take a few moments before speaking to organize your thoughts into a basic outline. This will enable you to convey your main points to your audience in a logical, easy-to-follow way.
Finally, be as concise as possible. In a world where “time is money,” your clients and colleagues will appreciate your respect for their time.
Tip #2: Know Your Audience
Are your listeners technology professionals like you? Or are they unfamiliar with the jargon commonly used within your industry? One of the most important communication tips is to match your vocabulary and even your tone to the sensibilities of your audience. For example, if you’re presenting information to company leadership or bidding on a potential client’s project, you want your audience to understand your message — not feel intimidated or put off by your word choice.
Tip #3: Actively Listen
Communication is a two-way street — and it’s important to pay attention when the other party is talking to you. Maintain an appropriate level of eye contact, and avoid interrupting them unless necessary. Also, avoid checking your phone during the conversation; or, if you’re interacting via a video conference call, looking at tabs in the background. Whether in person or virtually, practice active listening. As a result, you’ll show your interest in what the other person is saying, and your respect for them as an individual.
Tip #4: Choose the Right Medium
If you’re able to choose the medium in which the communication takes place, think about what would be the best option for the subject under discussion. For instance, a reminder or confirmation message would typically only require a quick text or email. On the other hand, more detailed conversations may call for real-time communication (like a phone or video call).
In addition, try to match your medium to the communication style of the other party, to the extent possible. Some people prefer texting, while others would rather talk over the phone. Be reasonable and flexible in how you choose to initiate conversations.
For certain media, it’s also important to stick to certain “rules” or expectations common to your industry. An example of this would be Zoom backgrounds: Does your organization have a stock background approved by the marketing or brand team to use? If you have several options available to you, are you using neat, professional backgrounds? Considering factors like these will aid your communication efforts in subtle but significant ways.
Tip #5: Use Visual Aids Appropriately
Visual aids (like diagrams, charts, images, etc.) can be wonderful tools for clarifying complex concepts or processes. However, too many visual aids may overwhelm your audience. Therefore, use them judiciously and only for the main points that you need to convey to your audience.
Tip #6: Be Respectful and Considerate
Always show your respect for the thoughts and ideas of other people. Use open-ended questions to foster communication and encourage feedback. Cultivate qualities that contribute to smoother relationships, such as tact and empathy. When conflicts do inevitably arise, try to address them in a constructive and respectful manner. Keep in mind that the person across from you will likely forget what you say at some point — but they may never forget how you make them feel, for better or for worse.
Tip #7: Be Mindful of Cultural Differences
In an increasingly globalized tech industry, you may work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds. For that reason, it’s important to be aware of cultural nuances in communication styles, gestures, and norms. For example, some cultures are very informal in how people talk to one another, while others use formalities and honorifics in day-to-day speech. People from one region may be very brief and direct, while people from another region may traditionally engage in “small talk” before addressing the subject at hand.
The point is, do your best to respect and adapt to cultural differences. If you make the effort to do so, it will foster pleasant and effective collaboration.
Tip #8: Keep It Organized
Be mindful of time, especially when leading a team or project meeting. One of the best ways to reduce meeting times and streamline communication is to set an agenda for each session. Then, stick to the agenda to the extent possible. At the same time, don’t feel pressure to do all the talking. Encourage others to share their ideas and listen carefully to them.
At the end of the meeting, make a summary of action points, and make sure that everyone is clear on what their next steps should be. Then, after a reasonable interval, follow up with each team member to check on their progress.
In summary, communication is defined by how the other person perceives it. Implementing the eight steps discussed above can certainly foster a positive perception of your communication skills. They can also make you a more attractive job candidate, enhance the collaborative process with your colleagues, and help you win more clients.
Get More Communication Tips
If you’d like to learn more effective communication tips in the information and technology sector, contact our team at The Doyle Group today, or explore our catalog of helpful resources.
