Discussion on:

Geeks and Communication Skills

You have no idea how many times I have done this as well. If mom understands it then I know pretty much most people will. It has always been a skill of mine to explain things techy in a non techy way. Of course this doesn't always work out, I have been accused of being patronizing, which was not my intention. But I would still have them totally understand than not.

Sometime mom will ask me to explain something techy to her and when I am done she just goes well now why didn't they just tell me that.

I find using analogies the best way to do it. For example, explaining the difference between RAM and a hard disk. I tell people to imagine they are doing research for a project. They go to the library to get said research. The shelves of the library is the hard drive, the study desk is your RAM and the dewey decimal system is like the MFT.

This particular analogy helps me explain what RAM is, how it works, why computers speed up with more of it. What a HDD is. what defrag is and how it works. The difference between quick and full formatting. Probably more things I can't think of right now!

a slightly harder test than Bound4Doom's
"Ken" is illiterate, and just has to have the latest tech toy, even though he can't figure out how to use it.
[ Have you ever tried to decipher a "stream of conciousness" email litered with typos, with no punctuation? ]


If he can use it after I explain it to him, then anyone can understand the information.

IMHO the very best way to improve communication skills is by joining (and participating in ) a local Toastmasters group. This non-profit with world-wide membership has been around since 1924 but remains under the radar due to their less-than-aggressive marketing methods. The monthly Toastmasters magazine is worth the very minimal membership dues. Go http://www.toastmasters.org to find Clubs in your area.

Stan

I couldn't agree more.

I've been a member of Toastmasters for ten years now, and it's been one of the biggest assets I have in my portfolio.

When you speak in front of a Toastmasters group, you're talking to a group of people that are in the same boat you are--wanting to improve and practice public speaking skills. Every time you give a speech, you will receive an evaluation from another member, giving you ideas on what you need to work on and what you did well.

There are even opportunities to practice leadership skills in Toastmasters clubs. I've held several club offices, as well as serving as an Area and Division Governor.

Even if you speak well, Toastmasters would still be worth the time, money, and effort. The only way to improve on speaking skills is to practice, and this is the most wonderful environment to do it.

If you've got any questions, go out to the toastmasters web site at www.toastmasters.org or drop me an e-mail at fleetcom@mindspring.com.

Jason A Schulz

I have been to a few Toastmasters meetings, and I really thought they were helpful! In high school, I took a culmulative total of 8 years of AFJROTC (4 years of double periods, I liked it a lot!), and we spent a lot of time on public speaking and other Toastmaster-type items, so Toastmasters did not have anything new for me. But for someone who has never had instruction or practice at those things, it is a miracle.

J.Ja

Wow, very nice article. I've seen this often in our line of work, even here on TR. I've even suffered from it myself.

I am more aware of it now and do my best to improve every day. I read a lot on psychology and communication and it has provided me with a lot of tips and tricks of the trade.

What we deal with is sometimes so complex, its difficult to image it in non-technical terms.

Even though we can explain or try to tell a non-techie what he or she needs to do in laymans terms, the main thing is how you present it. If you raise your voice without noticing, you may find the person your dealing with feeling stupid or having a stupid look on the face. Reason, you just made them feel or look that way because of the tone of you voice. I know alot of techs that do that. We have to understand that not everyone knows how to deal with computers the way techs do. I lot of times I feel completely ignorant when I'm stumped with an issue. It's all about educating ourselves and others. Bottom Line.

I whole-heartedly agree with you on this point. I have long been touting the need for effective communication, even when it's just a quick conversation between good friends.

I am very detail-oriented and enjoy using the correct technical jargon when explaining things with others. When explaining things to people I know are "non-techy" I still use these words, but explain them afterward in a way that I hope they understand. This technique doesn't always work though, as some people don't care what this is or how that works; they'd rather just get a quick run-down. In any case, effective communication is underrated in my opinion. After all, letters, words and sentences don't have a function until they mean something. They are simply tools to convey messages from one person to another.

For me, the words from Justin's original post "Tailor your message for the audience." are key when a technically oriented presentation is about to take place.

Rather than treating the 'non-technical' as 'not part of technical circle,' bring the 'non-technical' 'in' to the technical by offering explanations in a way that veer from the 'standard' technical explanation--Yet, are clear enough for all to understand.

People will listen to you if they understand what it is you are attempting to say.
I have used the 'deity_chooch' technique of using techie' terms and then explaining them--sometimes using metaphor.

Reading and speaking to people outside of the 'technical' circle does indeed help.

I am considering joining Toastmasters. I do have a 'hankering' to speak more effectively.
--This cannot do anything but aid in getting to be an effective speaker.

Worth reading...
Thanks for the post J.Ja