Which means what’s important isn’t just having the best product or technical know-how, but how you are able to communicate and build enthusiasm your ideas. And I should know. With more than 35 years in the tech sector under my belt and a couple of successful startup exits, I fully understand the need for ‘techies’ like me to bridge the gap between technical thinking and common understanding.

In fact, the most successful leaders and innovators I know are those who combine technical nous and the ability to translate that into everyday language. Several recent studies have continued to show the longitudinal efficacy for clear communicators, both verbally and in writing, was one of the strongest indicators of a high-flying career both in and outside the military.

For some, effective communication comes as naturally as installing a new driver following a software update. Others simply don’t know where to start when it comes to communicating. Whichever camp you fall into, the good news is that just like any other skill, interpersonal communication skills and social skills like authenticity can be learned. So, what’s the best approach?

Talk to non-technical people

The easiest way is to communicate in ways that are natural to your audience. Far too often, highly skilled people use their own specialised language when talking to those who are outside of their profession, whether that be medical and legal professionals to IT technologists and scientific researchers.

All too often, when we talk with our peers within the enterprise, we use jargon and shorthand and discuss things based on a shared understanding. That’s fine if the other person knows what you’re talking about. But if they’re not fluent in ‘techspeak’, then misunderstandings abound. 

This is where communications training comes in handy. The advice from the media experts is to use simple – not simplistic, but simple – language to get ideas across. One of my favourite techniques is to frequently use analogies and real-world examples. And above all, try to view what you do through their eyes – not yours.

For example, when you’re in a pitch meeting with a potential angel investor explaining your value proposition, don’t present your value as simply a deep dive into technical nuts and bolts of your startup. Instead, tell how much your customer’s lives will improve. If your angel investor is a baseball fan, tell them how your product is a “homerun for the customer not a ground ball to first base” or with a NFL fan “that we’re going for steady first downs, not a Hail Mary pass”. Offer the deep technical details after they get a sense for the scale of your startup’s aspirations and benefits. Additionally, this style of presentation means showing empathy and a level of respect for those receiving your message. And they will appreciate that and reciprocate.

Mentors are a great way to get support

If all this makes you feel a little overwhelmed, don’t panic. There are plenty of people who can help. I’ve already mentioned media professionals who can help with your comms skills. But if that’s not possible, you can look for mentors elsewhere. My first recommendation is a senior manager at your workplace, but is not in your direct manager, whose career you’d like to emulate. Former colleagues and employers are also a good place to start. But if there’s no one that immediately springs to mind, LinkedIn, professional associations, and other networking groups are always worth exploring.

The key is to meet regularly – either face to face or virtually – and to make sure you practise any of the skills that your mentor(s) highlight. That’s right – practice! That includes how to handle difficult conversations and scenarios you’re likely to face. How we handle these tricky situations can either strengthen valuable business relationships or potentially lose them altogether. Practicing enables you to build “muscle memory” to successfully navigate challenging situations and conversations.

That’s why interpersonal skills aren't “nice to have,” but are essential. Startups fly or fail by how well people work together. You can have the smartest product in the room, but if you can’t get others to see its value, you’ll struggle. And you can take that to the bank.

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