6 May Bridging the Gap: Three Tips for Explaining Technical Jargon to Engaged Listeners
‘Technical’ can have different meanings depending on the context. Every organization develops its own specialized jargon, which becomes “technical” when it falls outside another company’s norms. While it may be second nature to you, it can create barriers when communicating with non-technical listeners. However, with the right approach, these challenges become opportunities for connection and collaboration.
Here are three tips to help you translate complex information into something everyone can understand:
- Simplify Your Language: Avoid jargon and break down complex concepts into simple, everyday language. Use analogies and relatable examples to clarify your points, prioritizing accessibility over expertise. Example:When explaining an IPO, say, “Imagine your favorite local bakery wants to expand and needs more money to do it. They decide to sell pieces of ownership in the bakery to the public. That’s what happens when a company goes public – it’s like selling slices of a cake to anyone who wants a taste.”
- Know Your Listeners: Tailor your communication to the listener’s level of understanding. Research their motivations, background, and interests. Understanding your listeners allows you to craft a message that resonates, builds trust, and ensures clarity. Connecting on this level fosters understanding and strengthens relationships.
- Consider a Communication Coach:A communication coach is an objective resource who can help translate concepts into clear, understandable language. They can create visuals that enhance your message, ensuring smooth communication. With their strategies, you’ll be better equipped to connect with non-technical listeners and ensure your message is not just understood but remembered.
Impact:By using relatable analogies and visuals, such as comparing an IPO to slicing a cake, you make complex concepts more accessible. This approach fosters better communication and alignment across teams, creating a shared understanding that makes collaboration smoother and more effective.
Focusing on clarity, understanding your audience, and honing your communication skills allow you to convey technical information effectively while fostering stronger, more collaborative relationships.
5 Mar What Does Your Handshake Say About You?
A handshake is one of the first things a client or colleague notices about you, shaping their perception of your strength, confidence, and ability to connect. Regardless of age or seniority, a well-executed handshake sets the right tone for any professional interaction. As a communication coach, I work with clients to ensure their handshakes convey confidence, approachability, and credibility.
The Power of a Handshake
Dating back to ancient Greece, the handshake has long symbolized trust and goodwill. Over time, it has become a universal sign of respect and connection. In professional settings today, it remains a key nonverbal cue that influences first impressions.
The Handshake Spectrum: What Does Yours Say About You?
Your handshake can project confidence and warmth, or unintentionally signal weakness or aggression. Use this 1-to-5 handshake scale to assess where you stand:
Level 1 – Soft touch, limp wrist, curled fingers; Impression Conveyed: Perceived as weak or lacking confidence
Level 2 – Light grip, minimal eye contact; Impression Conveyed: May suggest disinterest or insecurity
Level 3 – Firm grip, good eye contact, brief but controlled; Impression Conveyed: Conveys warmth, confidence, and approachability
Level 4 – Very firm grip, prolonged eye contact; Impression Conveyed: Can be seen as domineering or aggressive
Level 5 – Crushing grip, excessive shaking, or duration; Impression Conveyed: Viewed as overly aggressive, possibly intimidating
The ideal handshake falls in the Level 3-4 range: firm but not overpowering, with eye contact and a brief but solid grip.
Tips for the Perfect Handshake
- Practice Regularly: Test your handshake with trusted colleagues or friends and ask for feedback.
- Maintain Eye Contact: This establishes trust and connection.
- Be Mindful of Hygiene: Keep your hands clean and dry. If you tend to get sweaty palms, touch a metal surface (like a doorknob) beforehand to cool and dry your hands.
- Match the Energy: Your handshake should reflect the level of enthusiasm you bring to the conversation.
A handshake is more than just a formality; it’s a powerful communication tool that can set you up for success. Ensure your handshake conveys confidence, warmth, and professionalism
For more on the history and significance of the handshake, check out this article: The History of the Handshake.
15 Jan From Jargon to Clarity
In technical fields, your expertise is invaluable—but when sharing complex information with non-technical listeners, the goal isn’t to showcase your depth of knowledge. Instead, focus on helping them understand and trust what you’re saying.
As a communication coach with 30 years of experience, my advice is simple: “It’s not about you.” Your listeners need clarity, not complexity. Tailoring your message to how they want to receive it fosters understanding and builds trust. Here are three tips to simplify technical communication:
1. Start with What Matters Most
Begin with the key takeaway your listener cares about, then add the necessary context. Ask yourself, “What do they need to know right now?”
2. Use Analogies and Visuals
Relate complex concepts to everyday ideas. For example, explain a cell’s function as a factory or use a graph instead of raw data to illustrate trends.
3. Acknowledge Uncertainty Confidently
Transparency is key, but don’t overwhelm your listener with technicalities. Say, “While some data is still emerging, here’s what we know and how we’re addressing it.”
Before and After: Simplifying a Response
Question: “What’s the mechanism of action for this drug?”
Before: “This drug is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-1 receptor, blocking its interaction with PD-L1, restoring T-cell activity in the tumor microenvironment.”
After: “This drug reactivates the immune system to attack cancer. Think of it like flipping a switch that helps the body see and fight the cancer cells again.”
Again, communicating technical information effectively isn’t about proving your expertise. By focusing on their needs and simplifying your approach, you’ll ensure your message creates the impact you want.
19 Aug Are You Seeing What I’m Saying?
In a fast-paced digital-hybrid work environment, effective communication is crucial for success. Speakers want to be both heard and understood. One of the best tools we use to help clients is lining up their verbal and nonverbal cues.
Our message becomes clearer and more impactful when our words and body language sync. We listen with our eyes.
By using appropriate hand gestures, facial expressions, and body posture, we can emphasize key points, convey confidence, and establish rapport with our listeners. This alignment enhances understanding, engages attention, and helps overcome distractions in a bustling workplace. Your body posture can convey enthusiasm, confidence, and sincerity, reinforcing the spoken words. A good speaker coach will help you master the art of synchronized communication, leading to more effective communication and collaboration.
13 Mar Controlling Nervousness Before Speaking
Whether you call it ’nervousness” or “anxiety’ or “fear of speaking,” it is a widespread experience for many people worldwide; you are not alone. The good news is that it can be controlled. This complimentary lesson will discuss the ‘real causes’ of this experience and some tools and techniques to control the nervousness.
Projecting Executive Presence Online
How to Lead from the Shoulders Up
Leading requires a lot of skill and effort. In today’s remote work environment, it requires even more. We know what is effective, required, and preferred in leaders who are leading remotely.This complimentary lesson provides a clear picture of the skills you need to be an effective leader in our remote business world.