In this episode of "Gaining the Technology Leadership Edge," host Mike interviews Brenden Kumarasamy, founder of Master Talk, a YouTube channel focused on communication and public speaking. Brenden shares valuable advice for technology executives on how to effectively communicate with non-technical audiences and avoid using jargon. He emphasizes the importance of understanding why your message matters to other business divisions and offers practical tips for improving both verbal and written communication skills. Tune in to gain insights from Brendan's expertise and take your communication skills to the next level.
Effective communication is critical for leaders in any industry, but for those in the technology sector, it's a skill that often determines the success of not just themselves but their projects and organizations. In a riveting conversation on "Gaining the Technology Leadership Edge," Brenden Kumarasamy shared invaluable advice on mastering the art of communication for technology executives. Here, we extract the essence of the dialogue to deliver strategic insights that tech leaders can implement to enhance their communication skills in and out of the boardroom.
Technical experts often rise through the ranks because of their proficiency in specialized areas. However, as they transition into leadership roles, the communication strategies that once served them well in the trenches of coding and development may not resonate in the boardroom.
"...when they get into management, they'll use the same communication habits that got them to that title. And this is where the problem lies." - Brenden Kumarasamy
Brenden emphasizes the need to communicate the business case behind technological decisions rather than the technical specifics. By asking the simple question "Why does this matter to the other business divisions within the company?" tech executives can align their language with the broader priorities of the business.
The shift from a detail-oriented perspective to one that appreciates the broader pictures is not always easy, but it's essential for tech executives who want to excel.
"When you become a director VP, at that point, you're no longer just doing the technical side. You're communicating the Business case of why we're implementing the technology in the first place..." - Brenden Kumarasamy
The advice here is clear. For effective communication in leadership, the more you understand and embrace the business side, the better you can lead and influence across the organization.
Tech experts often rely on industry-specific terms that can alienate non-technical audiences. Brenden advocates for creating a feedback loop whereby colleagues are encouraged to highlight any jargon used inadvertently.
"Ask that every single meeting, or 50% of meetings...then your employees will start telling you, hey, what did you mean by this?" - Brenden Kumarasamy
By actively seeking out and responding to feedback, executives can incrementally eliminate jargon from their vocabulary, making their communication more accessible.
Receiving feedback is one challenge, but acting on it requires humility—a quality sometimes in short supply at the executive level. A willingness to engage with feedback and make adjustments is crucial.
"...the problem with execs, unfortunately, a lot of them got some egos and they're not willing to just take a step back..." - Brenden Kumarasamy
This candid advice underscores that personal growth in communication necessitates setting aside ego and focusing on the goal of improving one's ability to lead effectively.
Brenden prescribes a method that involves easy daily exercises designed to hone both written and verbal communication.
"If you're really good at written and really bad at verbal...take out your voice recorder...and just read off what you're saying..." - Brenden Kumarasamy
The strategies shared provide tech executives with actionable steps to improve their messaging, whether in an email or in front of an audience.
While self-practice is advantageous, there's also considerable merit in seeking professional guidance.
"If you're making over 50 grand a year...then the third one would be investing in an executive communication coach." - Brenden Kumarasamy
A coach can offer personalized feedback and strategies tailored to the individual's specific needs, expediting their improvement journey in communication.
As we thread through the highlights of Brenden Kumarasamy's insights, the overarching theme remains steadfast: communication is a skill that, when refined, can dramatically escalate an executive's influence and effectiveness. The message is unambiguous—by simplifying language, creating a receptive environment for feedback, and engaging in regular, focused practice, technological leaders can evolve into communicators who not only command the room but lead their teams to unprecedented success. In the dynamic landscape of technology where innovation is king, being able to clearly articulate the value of these innovations to a wide-ranging audience may well be the queen that protects it.