IT Talk is Hard
We love to talk details, because it’s how we think in IT. Heck, it’s how we’re paid to think because details is where it’s at. But discussing those complex issues to someone who doesn’t have the background? Or interest? Or, most importantly, the need to understand to the level we do?
Unfortunately, a lot of folks in IT have a knob with 2 settings:
Geekspeak that has no end. Technobabble that would make a great episode of Star Trek. Or if sand is involved, Star Wars. If at first you don’t explain, more, more words.
Platitudes. “Trust us, it’ll work.”
Both have about the same success rate. And it isn’t high. So if you’re in the IT field, learn to communicate better. Start by picking up these 3 explanation devices: similes, metaphors and analogies.
Simile: A blatant comparison. Using like and as. “Life is like a box of chocolates.” If you want to add additional justification, go for it. “Networks are like highways with lots of traffic.
Metaphor: A short bit that takes a couple of completely different things to make a point. As Billy Shakespeare said “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players”. One of my personal favorites (that I’ve used for years) is “The worst time to learn CPR is when someone’s having a heart attack.” One of the best tech metaphors? “Garbage in, garbage out.”
Analogy: Similar to a metaphor, but with more explanation as to why we’re using this particular communication piece. “What you’re doing is as useful as rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.” You could make that claim to someone who is trying to maintain equipment that has lived long past it’s useful lifespan (Windows 7 anyone?).
My point is that all three of these tools can really go a long way to help dislodge the person who you are talking to so that hopefully they can look at a particular piece or key with a slightly different take, and maybe open them to a new way of understanding. But you have to think about similes, metaphors and analogies. The differences between them is somewhat nuanced and somewhat dependent upon your use of them, but they are all useful. Pickup some and get them in your bag of tricks and be ready to communicate! Let us know if we can help!