Mastering communication is arguably the top competency for any tech manager

While technical expertise gets you hired, your ability to connect with people determines how far you go

Your role spans engineering, product, design, and business functions, each with unique perspectives

Every team operates with its own jargon, goals, and pain points

You must serve as the translator between technical and non-technical worlds

Start by listening more than you speak

Many technical managers jump straight into solutions without fully understanding the problem

Encourage dialogue by asking "What’s holding you back?" or "How do you see this unfolding?"

When you hear it in their voice, you hear the real issue

Assume nothing—dig deeper before drawing conclusions

It might be unclear requirements, outdated tools, 設備 工事 or dependencies blocking progress

When people feel heard, they open up and reveal hidden obstacles

Clarity is essential

Ditch acronyms and technical terms when speaking to stakeholders who aren’t engineers

Say "scale better" instead of "enhance horizontal scalability"

Metaphors make complex ideas stick

Think of an index like a recipe’s ingredient list—quick reference, no fluff

Humans connect with narratives, not specs

Honesty about ambiguity strengthens credibility

It’s okay to say I don’t know yet, but here’s what I’m doing to find out

Teams respect honesty more than false certainty

If a deadline is at risk, communicate it early with a plan for managing the impact

Procrastinating on tough conversations amplifies the fallout

Customize your tone, depth, and focus for every group

Tech teams crave purpose, not just directives

Frame everything in terms of value, cost, and timing

They need boundaries, timelines, and flexibility to set customer expectations

One truth, many translations

A single update can be delivered in different ways to different groups

Foster two-way communication

Commanding doesn’t inspire. Listening does

Create spaces for feedback

People share truth when they’re not on the defensive

Ask "What’s unclear?" after every key point

Ownership grows when people feel heard

Finally, follow through

If you say you’ll report back, do it—on time

Break a promise once, and trust erodes

People trust what they can count on

Over time, your team will trust your communication because it’s reliable, clear, and thoughtful

They don’t just oversee sprints and tickets

They manage understanding

Clarity accelerates progress, reduces friction, and boosts morale

It’s not about speaking well—it’s about being understood