Strategies For Collaborating With Non-Technical Stakeholders

I’ve struggled with bridging the gap between technical concepts and non-technical stakeholders, but this approach unlocked clarity and action: (And it’s not just about dumbing things down.) → Simplification with Purpose. Here’s how to apply this to communicating technical ideas effectively: 1️⃣ Use Analogies They Understand Technical concepts often feel abstract. Analogies help bridge the gap. For example: "The cloud is like renting a storage unit. You don’t need to own the building or worry about maintaining it, but you can store your things there and access them whenever you need." 2️⃣ Avoid Jargon—Use Everyday Language Too much technical language alienates your audience. Simplify without oversimplifying. "Instead of saying 'We need to refactor the codebase to ensure scalability,' say: 'We’re making sure the software can handle more customers as we grow.'" 3️⃣ Focus on Why It Matters, Not How It Works Stakeholders care about the results, not the technical journey. "We’re implementing this new security feature to make sure your customer data stays protected, which ultimately builds trust and reduces risk." 4️⃣ Use Visuals to Break Things Down Visual aids make complexity easier to handle. A simple flowchart, for instance, can illustrate how a data pipeline works far better than words alone. 5️⃣ Relate it to Their Goals Connect technical efforts to business outcomes. "We’re upgrading the database infrastructure so you can access customer insights faster. This will help improve decision-making and speed up time-to-market for new features." This approach taught me more than any traditional technical communication strategy. Master these techniques, and you’ll become the go-to person who simplifies complexity and inspires action 🚀

You might as well be speaking “Klingon” Just dropped from a meeting where the IT Director provided his update to the leadership team. The c-level folks and non-technical leaders had no clue what he was talking about… From my experience this is the #1 mistake technical professionals make when meeting with business stakeholders I'll be blunt… business stakeholders don’t care about your technical architecture diagrams, your configuration details, or how cutting-edge your solution is. They care about outcomes. They care about results. They care about impact. BUT most technical professionals go into meetings armed with technical jargon & acronyms and leave the room wondering why no one bought in. If you’re presenting to business leaders, here’s the reality check… you are selling and you’re not selling technology - you’re selling business value. I don’t like to present a problem without a solution – so let’s try this… Step 1 Start every conversation by answering this “How does this solve a business problem?” If you have a technical solution that reduces costs, increases revenue, mitigates risk, or makes life easier for users, lead with that. Everything else is just details that nobody cares about. Step 2 Translate technical features into business benefits. Instead of saying, “We’re implementing zero trust,” say, “We’re reducing critical risks to our top revenue producing critical business functions.” Step 3 Stakeholders want to hear about how your solution will reduce downtime, increase productivity, save $$$, or improve client satisfaction. Make your impact measurable and relatable. Step 4 Can you reframe your message using an analogy or better yet a story. Numbers are great, but stories are sticky and resonate. Frame your solution in the context of a real-world scenario, like something stakeholders can visualize and connect with. Step 5 No one likes a squeaky wishy washy technical expert. Take a position, back it with evidence, and be clear about the path forward. Confidence inspires trust. Stop talking about the “how.” Start owning the “why.” And STOP speaking “Klingon” When you shift your focus to business value, you’ll see interest, buy-in, alignment, and support. #ciso #dpo #msp #leadership

Your business stakeholders don’t speak your language. It may seem crystal clear to you when you talk about objects and fields, Flows, or data mapping. But here’s the truth: Business stakeholders are not technical people. You are. All the time you spent understanding the problem and designing the perfect solution? It could all fall apart if what they meant was something entirely different. STOP: • Talking about the data model • Diving into the processes involved • Overloading them with technical jargon START: • Using visual tools like Figma, Lucidchart, or Draw[dot]io • Focusing on the end state—the picture of success • Highlighting outcomes and how they solve the problem When you align your solution with the business vision, you create momentum. When you present it in a way they can see and understand, you build trust. It’s not about "dumbing it down" - it’s about stepping up your communication game. What’s your go-to strategy for presenting complex solutions to non-technical stakeholders? --- Found this helpful? Like 👍 | Comment ✍ | Repost ♻️