communicate effectively as a tech lead

src: AddyOsmani.com - Communicating Effectively As A Tech Lead - 2022-08-16

Abstract

A bunch of advice to communicate better.

Here are my tips for Communicating Effectively as a Technical Lead, including tips for how to talk to teams and stakeholders. Available in more detail in my new article on LeadDev.

Simplify

Optimize your communication for your audience.
Adapt to the situation & context.
This may mean avoiding using team-specific jargon or making assumptions about context.
Remember, it’s possible that acronyms may not be well-socialized even within a team.
Try simplifying technical terms and concepts using metaphors or analogies where appropriate.
Aim to bring all of your audience along even if they aren’t fully familiar with the same terms.
Aim to not leave anyone behind

Shorter messages are more likely to be absorbed in their entirety.
Avoid discussing caveats and edge-case exceptions if they are irrelevant to that audience.
Don’t stray from the core point of the message.
Mentally check if it’s the right audience, forum, and time of the day before bringing up something different.
Avoid filler words: ‘basically’, ‘you know’, ‘like’, ‘kind of’, ‘huh’, ‘…and stuff’, ‘..and things like that’.

…to successfully motivate action, understand their process:

Vision: Do teams know where they’re going and how to get there?
Alignment: Do I agree with the direction? Is it based on data?
Ability: Can they execute? Do they see the issues? Is there progress?
Cost + Empowerment: What do they need to be successful?
Structure your communication
- Start with the answer first
- Group and summarize your supporting arguments
- Logically structure your writing

Listen attentively! Understand, reflect, and then respond to what’s being said.
Observe verbal and non-verbal messages and signals before responding. Listen to what people are really saying and adjust your tone and response accordingly.
Be attentive and open to feedback in 1:1 discussions and team meetings.
When conversing with senior colleagues or stakeholders, hear what they are saying, if only to confirm that they’ve absorbed whatever you shared.
When team members share their ideas, listen and ask questions to encourage them. * Replace a straight ‘No’ with a ‘Yes, but’ if possible.
When it comes to written communication, reading is equivalent to listening. Read very carefully and re-read until you’ve fully grasped what was communicated.

Initiate open communication with your team members.
Have regular 1:1s and drop them an email or a Slack message (being mindful about disrupting their focus/flow).
Promote healthy intra-team communication. Create an atmosphere of asking and answering questions politely.
Regularly check that your team members aren’t blocked on delegated tasks and can handle them properly.
Reach out only when you’re sure that your presence won’t be a distraction.
If your team member has a ‘do-not-disturb’ sign, then respect that if possible.

Be diligent and pay attention to the little things.
In coaching, mentoring, and advocating scenarios, understand the needs of your mentees or audience, and document those needs as action items.
When mentoring, try to understand what works for your mentee.
Ensure everyone you’re communicating with is on the same page.
Don’t be in a hurry to leave a meeting or end a 1:1 if you feel that someone is lagging.
Encourage repetition and question-answer sessions to ensure that everyone has understood.

Take notes – just for yourself or for others. Notes can help you remember tidbits of information you wish to convey but may forget.
If your writing aims to help others learn, then document as legibly and concisely as possible.
Include the date you created the document to help future readers estimate its relevance.