Communication Is the Job

Overview
The piece emphasizes that communication is not a peripheral skill but a fundamental part of a technical leader's role. It outlines common challenges leaders face when conveying ideas, expectations, and feedback, and offers actionable strategies to become clearer and more persuasive communicators.

Key Takeaways

• Clear communication builds trust and aligns teams around shared goals.
• Listening actively and asking the right questions uncovers hidden issues.
• Tailoring messages to different audiences increases impact.
• Regular, transparent updates reduce uncertainty and improve morale.
• Practicing empathy helps leaders address concerns and motivate their teams.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers looking to improve team alignment.
• Senior engineers stepping into leadership roles.
• Technical leads responsible for cross-functional collaboration.
• CTOs and VP of Engineering seeking to foster a culture of open dialogue.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) feedback model.
• RACI matrix for clarifying responsibilities.
• Active listening techniques.
• Storytelling frameworks for presenting technical ideas.