Is Poor Communication Sabotaging Your Career?
Learn How to Master Communication and Make It Your Competitive Advantage
Have you ever left a meeting feeling overlooked, even though you shared valuable ideas? Or perhaps you missed out on a promotion because you struggled to convey your value? If your skills don’t translate into the opportunities you deserve, poor communication might be the hidden roadblock sabotaging your career.
As an introverted software engineer, I used to underestimate the importance of effective communication and its impact on my life and career. It took me many years to realize that my poor communication skills were holding me back. Now, I understand that the ability to communicate well is truly a superpower.
In this article, I want to explain why this matters and the steps I took to improve.
My Journey from Silence to Leadership
I was born different, painfully shy, and naive. As a child, socializing wasn’t easy for me—I struggled to express myself, and time after time, I immersed myself in solitary learning rather than engaging in play with others. My silence made me an easy target, and over the years, my lack of communication and assertiveness led people to overlook me or take advantage of my quiet nature.
In my early career, this silence held me back even more. I used to dread meetings because I didn’t feel comfortable speaking, and when I finally did, I often felt like nobody was listening or that I was being interrupted. Moreover, when something that felt unfair to me occurred at the workplace, I found it difficult to speak up, which led to frustration and sometimes misunderstandings.
One day, after a tough day at work, I had a meaningful conversation with a colleague. He told me I was too agreeable and needed to be more assertive and learn to say no. And he was right, and this was my wake-up call. I started reading books on assertiveness and leadership. I enrolled in communication courses and looked for chances to speak in public. I pushed myself to speak up in meetings and give presentations at work, one brave word at a time.
That moment changed everything for me. After several months of pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I transformed from an overlooked engineer into a confident leader. Looking back at the shy kid I once was fills me with amazement about my journey. I discovered not only my voice but also my self-worth, realizing that true leadership stems from resilience, courage, and the strength to speak up unapologetically.
I struggled to express myself, and time after time, I immersed myself in solitary learning rather than engaging in play with others.
Turning Weakness into Strength
Look, if I claimed communication is now one of my top strengths, I’d be stretching the truth. I’ve come a long way—today, I can effectively communicate verbally and in writing in English and Spanish with confidence and clarity. But I’m still a far cry from that charismatic CEO who can pitch their company in a way that lights up a room and leaves everyone wanting more. I’m not quite there—yet.
And I wrote “not yet“ because if there’s one thing I excel at, it’s turning weaknesses into strengths. I’m a high-agency person with an unyielding commitment to self-improvement. Call it obsession—as David Goggins said, but I won’t stop until I’ve mastered the skills I once struggled with and turned them into powerful assets.
Would you like to master the art of effective communication with me? Follow along.
The Cost of Poor Communication
As an Engineering Leader, I have learned a crucial lesson: communication holds transformative power. You may possess the highest technical skills, but if you cannot clearly express your ideas, align others with your vision, or demonstrate your value, achieving success will be difficult. The higher your seniority, the more critical effectively communicating becomes.
Here are some of the most common and impactful situations I have witnessed—and I’m pretty sure that some of you have, too—that illustrate the consequences of ineffective communication:
An impactful technical initiative gets dismissed because the presenter can’t communicate the initiative’s core benefits well.
A talented team member misses out on a promotion as they struggle to showcase their impact and influence decision-makers.
An engineer’s valuable insights go unheard in meetings as they lack the confidence to speak assertively.
A talented candidate loses out on an ideal leadership role by failing to clearly convey their value and potential impact.
These experiences taught me that effective communication is not just a soft skill—it’s a critical skill. It enables you to influence, build trust, and demonstrate your worth. Clear and confident communication can bridge you and your next opportunity, whether proposing an idea, seeking a promotion, or positioning yourself for a new role.
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
– George Bernard Shaw, Nobel Prize-winning playwright
Learning to Communicate with Impact
To be a good communicator, you must practice regularly, like any other skill. For example, you must practice speaking often to improve your speaking skills. The same goes for cooking; reading cookbooks alone won’t make you a better cook—you need to cook, try new recipes, and improve your techniques. The main point is that consistent practice in communication is crucial. As you begin practicing, you’ll notice positive changes. This deliberate practice, feedback, and reward cycles will help you build strong communication habits.
Yet, mastering effective communication doesn’t have to be complicated. There are different communication methods and techniques one can learn. For instance, using the ABC method—Accuracy, Brevity, and Clarity—you can build communication skills that empower you to express ideas confidently, influence others, and foster understanding in any setting.
However, I recently discovered two public speaker experts whose techniques and advice are bringing my communication skills to another level. Let me share their best advice with you.
Tristan de Montebello, CEO & Co-founder of Ultraspeaking
During a recent episode of Lenny’s podcast, I was blown by Tristan’s insights on public speaking. He explained the Accordion Method, emphasizing the importance of internalizing your speech rather than just rote memorization. In addition, Tristan shared the Bow and Arrow Technique, which concentrates on highlighting the “one thing“ you want your audience to retain.
Additionally, Tristan suggested these three practical tips to speak more confidently:
Think Up: Look up and maintain eye contact with your audience instead of looking down. This small change boosts your confidence and clarity.
End Strong: Avoid trailing off at the end of your statements or presentations. Use confident closing phrases like “In summary” or “To wrap up.”
Stay in Character: Don’t verbalize flustered feelings; stay focused on your message. If something goes wrong, keep moving forward; the audience will likely follow your lead.
Fernando Miralles, Spanish Public Speaking Champion
Fer Miralles, the Spanish Public Speaking Champion of Toastmasters International, emphasizes the importance of effective communication and offers several essential tips:
Prioritize Active Listening: Apply the Pareto Principle by dedicating 80% of your communication to listening and 20% to speaking. This approach ensures a deeper understanding of others and fosters more meaningful interactions.
Engage in Practical Learning: Embrace a hands-on approach to public speaking. Actively participating in speaking opportunities and practicing are essential for improvement.
Focus on Authenticity: Develop a personal communication style that reflects your true self. Authenticity helps build trust and connection with your audience.
Seek Constructive Feedback: Encourage honest evaluations from peers and mentors to identify areas for growth and refine your speaking abilities.
Embrace Continuous Improvement: Commit to ongoing self-improvement and adaptability in your communication skills to stay practical and relevant.
They both mentioned another impactful strategy, which is my favorite one. I will share it next by explaining it in detail.
Storytelling: Make Your Message Unforgettable
If there is something all communication masters agree on, it is that you focus on what your audience should remember rather than what you are trying to say. Remember that what is sent usually differs from what is received.
Storytelling is an effective way to make your message memorable and impactful. You can connect excellently with your audience using authentic, trustworthy, and engaging narratives. People are naturally drawn to stories because they are easy to visualize, relate to, and can evoke strong emotions. Great stories or anecdotes tend to resonate with people not because they recall every detail of the message but because of the feelings they experienced.
If you want to create a great story, remember the following seven characteristics (the 7 C’s):
Clear: The story’s message is straightforward, leaving no room for confusion.
Concise: It’s brief, focusing only on essential details that drive the story forward.
Consistent: Themes, tone, and style remain steady, creating a coherent narrative.
Credible: The story feels authentic and believable, building trust with the audience.
Cohesive: All elements flow logically, linking ideas and events seamlessly.
Compelling: It captures attention with intrigue or emotion, making the audience want to keep listening.
Connecting: The story resonates with the audience, fostering a sense of relatability or shared experience.
“Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.”
– Gerald R. Ford, former United States president
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re an individual contributor or a senior leader, recognizing that communication is just as important as talent—if not more so—can be transformative. Communication shapes how others perceive your skills, trust your judgment, and connect with your vision. It’s the bridge that turns ideas into action and potential into progress.
Investing time to improve your communication skills isn’t merely a professional advantage; it’s a tool that enhances every interaction, builds relationships, and unlocks new opportunities. Clearly expressing your thoughts, inspiring others, and actively listening can elevate your career and personal life in ways that technical skills alone cannot.
Embrace the journey to becoming a more influential and empathetic communicator, and you’ll find that success follows naturally.
Thank you for reading The Engineering Leader.
If you liked this article, don't forget to hit ❤️ and share it with others who may like it.
Subscribe so you don't miss any future editions.