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You're struggling to communicate with non-tech stakeholders. How can you bridge the gap effectively?

When you're struggling to communicate with non-tech stakeholders, it can be challenging to convey complex programming concepts in an understandable way. Here are some strategies to bridge the gap effectively:

  • Simplify your language: Avoid jargon and use analogies that relate to everyday experiences.

  • Visual aids: Use diagrams, charts, or prototypes to illustrate your points clearly.

  • Active listening: Understand stakeholder concerns and questions to tailor your explanations accordingly.

How do you ensure effective communication with non-tech stakeholders? Share your strategies.

Programming Programming

Programming

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  3. Programming

You're struggling to communicate with non-tech stakeholders. How can you bridge the gap effectively?

When you're struggling to communicate with non-tech stakeholders, it can be challenging to convey complex programming concepts in an understandable way. Here are some strategies to bridge the gap effectively:

  • Simplify your language: Avoid jargon and use analogies that relate to everyday experiences.

  • Visual aids: Use diagrams, charts, or prototypes to illustrate your points clearly.

  • Active listening: Understand stakeholder concerns and questions to tailor your explanations accordingly.

How do you ensure effective communication with non-tech stakeholders? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
11 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Nupur Singh

    Software Developer at Oracle | C++ | Python | Go | 5G Core | SIP | HTTP | Aspiring Cloud & Data Engineer | Learning Cloud Technologies | Passionate about Building Scalable Solutions | Open to Opportunities

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    Bridging the gap with non-tech stakeholders involves clarity and relatability. Simplify technical jargon into everyday language and use analogies to make complex concepts accessible. Visual aids like charts and diagrams can illustrate points clearly. Focus on the business impact, showing how technical issues affect outcomes. Encourage questions and foster an open dialogue to ensure understanding. Tailor your communication style to your audience’s needs, ensuring you emphasize benefits and practical implications. Building rapport and trust through transparent, empathetic communication is key to effective collaboration.

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  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    𝑫𝒓. 𝑴𝒐𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒅 𝑨𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒎

    Ph.D in Chemical Engineering | Journal Editor & Reviewer | Book Editor (40 Published) | University Lecturer | Programmer | Artificial Intelligence Expert

    • Report contribution

    💡 Use analogies and simple language to explain technical concepts. 📊 Present data visually through charts or infographics to convey ideas clearly. 🎯 Focus on the business impact of technical decisions rather than the process. 🛠️ Create prototypes or demos to illustrate outcomes in an accessible way. 🤝 Encourage active listening to understand their perspectives and priorities. 📚 Share concise documentation tailored to their level of expertise. 🎤 Practice patience and avoid overwhelming them with jargon or details. 💻 Highlight collaborative benefits to foster mutual understanding and trust.

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    5
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    Attiqa Zaki

    Junior Front-end Developer

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    I focus on using simple language and relatable examples while actively listening to their needs. Visual aids like diagrams help make technical concepts clearer and more engaging.

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    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Abigail Crossman

    Sales Engineer | Advocate for Innovative Business and Marketing Strategies | Aspiring Electrical Engineer| PMP Candidate

    • Report contribution

    Struggling with non-tech stakeholders? Think like a translator, not a lecturer. Break down complex ideas into relatable stories—connect their needs to your solutions. Bridging the gap isn’t just technical; it’s personal. One of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned in my career came from my director. He has this mantra he often shares: "Empower the people you interact with by giving them the facts they need to make the best decisions for themselves." It’s not just something he says—it’s something he lives.

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    3
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    Muhammad Babar

    Helping 36k+ Software Engineers | Senior .NET Fullstack Engineer | @ Systems Limited | Microservices | CQRS | Clean | Azure | C# | Vue | React | Angular | Unit Testing

    • Report contribution

    I use simple language and avoid technical terms. I explain ideas using examples they can relate to from daily life. Visual aids like charts, diagrams, or prototypes help make things clearer. I also listen carefully to their questions and concerns so I can explain in a way that makes sense to them. Regular updates in plain language keep them informed and comfortable. This way, communication stays easy and effective for everyone.

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    2
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    Contributor profile photo
    Payal Shinde

    Software Engineering | Full-Stack Developer

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    To bridge the gap with non-tech stakeholders, focus on clear, relatable communication. Avoid technical jargon and instead use simple language and analogies to explain complex concepts. Tailor your message to their priorities by framing technical aspects in terms of business impact, such as cost savings, efficiency, or user satisfaction. Use visuals like diagrams or prototypes to illustrate ideas and foster understanding. Encourage open dialogue by actively listening to their concerns and asking clarifying questions. Building mutual trust and understanding ensures alignment and effective collaboration.

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    1
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    Contributor profile photo
    Shiva S

    Software Engineer | FrontEnd Developer | Angular Developer | Product Management | Full-Stack Developer | Node JS | MySQL

    (edited)
    • Report contribution

    Bridging the communication gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders requires a combination of empathy, clarity, and strategic communication. Ask clarifying questions to understand stakeholders' perspectives. Identify their primary goals, concerns, and key performance indicators. Use diagrams, flowcharts, and infographics to illustrate complex processes.

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    1
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    Rohit Satyarthi 🇮🇳

    Web Developer @Tridiagonal.AI

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    As a web developer, I’ve learned that bridging the gap with non-tech stakeholders requires clarity and empathy. First, I avoid jargon and use simple language to explain complex technical concepts. Visual aids, like diagrams or flowcharts, help make abstract ideas more tangible. I also focus on outcomes, showing how technical decisions directly impact business goals, such as increasing user engagement or improving site speed. Regular check-ins and feedback loops ensure alignment and trust. By being patient and adjusting communication to their perspective, I can create a shared understanding and drive better decision-making.

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    1
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    Contributor profile photo
    Gabriel Vieira

    Software Engineer | Software Architect | Software Modernization and High Performance | Low-code and No-code | Distributed Software

    • Report contribution

    Effectively communicating with non-tech stakeholders requires simplifying concepts and fostering mutual understanding. Avoid technical jargon and use relatable analogies to explain complex ideas. Visual aids, like diagrams or prototypes, can make your points more tangible and clear. Practice active listening to understand their concerns and tailor your responses to address their specific needs. Regularly check for understanding by encouraging questions and feedback. Building trust and maintaining open dialogue ensures everyone stays aligned and fosters better collaboration.

    Like
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    Maneesh Sharma

    🚀 5+ Years of Experience | ⭐ WordPress & MERN Stack Developer | ✅ Full Stack Developer | CMS Expert | Digital Marketing Strategist | Custom Solutions & Performance Optimization | Passionate About Blockchain, DEX & DeFi

    • Report contribution

    I usually starts with references or visual presentation of the task with simple understandable language sending them task updates in small chunks also help to clear the gap also in addition breaking the large functionality into small chunks help me to make them understand the process. keep the communication easy and frequent makes a better impact on the communication too

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