This talk will be based on real events, mainly from the last three years working in a team of 14 people, with diverse roles and English-speaking clients.
Communication, often underestimated, can be the bridge between a project with obstacles and a smooth project. In this talk, we will delve into the world of communication, covering both its theoretical underpinnings and its practical applications in different real-life project scenarios.
We will examine the importance of effective communication with clients, how to foster a positive working environment, conversations in different media: videoconferencing, chat, email, in person, etc., clarity when describing tasks, and the relevance of comments in code.
Through examples and reflections, we will invite attendees to consider new perspectives and tools that could improve communication in their projects. This talk is not intended to be a magic bullet, but to provide a space for sharing and learning from experiences.
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Raúl Bordallo
Portfolio Lead Sngular
Learn by doing
You learn to communicate by communicating
Communicating to Connect
What I am going to share are learnings and mistakes.
I still have a lot to learn.
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Description of the drawing
Objective: Emphasise the importance of
being clear and precise in communication.
How it works
1. Handing out drawings
2. One person explains the drawing
without showing it
3. Other person draws based on the
explanations
Activities
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What is Communication?
What is Communication?
Communication is the process of transferring information and
understanding from one person or group to another.
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What is Communication?
What is Communication?
Communication is the process of transferring information and
understanding from one person or group to another.
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What is Communication?
Sender: The person or entity originating the message.
Receiver: The person or entity for whom the message is intended.
Message: The core content or information that the sender wants to convey.
Medium: The channel or method used to convey the message (e.g., spoken
words, written text, non-verbal cues, digital messages).
Encoding: The process by which the sender translates their thoughts or
feelings into a communicable form.
Decoding: The process by which the receiver interprets the sender's
message.
What is Communication?
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What is Communication?
Feedback: The receiver's response to the message, which can confirm if the
message was understood as intended.
Noise: Any external or internal factor that can interfere with the message
being accurately received. This can be physical (e.g., loud background noise),
psychological (e.g., preconceived notions), or even semantic (e.g., not
understanding a specific word or term).
Context: The situation, background, or environment in which communication
takes place.
What is Communication?
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What is Communication?
Non-verbal Communication: Elements that support or contrast with the
spoken or written word, such as body language, facial expressions, tone of
voice, and gestures.
Barriers to Communication: These are obstacles that prevent the message
from being conveyed or understood as intended. Examples include language
differences, cultural misunderstandings, and emotional barriers.
Cultural Differences: Different cultures can interpret gestures, words, or
tones of voice in distinct ways. It's essential to be aware of this to avoid
misunderstandings.
Active Listening: The importance of listening attentively and empathetically,
seeking to truly understand the other person's message before responding.
What is Communication?
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Active Listening
Steps to achieve good Active Listening
● Give Full Attention
● Avoid Interrupting
● Show Empathy
● Ask Open-Ended Questions
● Paraphrase and Summarize
● Avoid Judging
● Provide Feedback
● Control Your Reactions
● Seek Clarification
● Reflect on the Conversation Afterwards
What is Communication?
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Cultural Differences Examples
Use of Silence: In cultures like Japan, periods of silence during a
conversation are seen as respectful, allowing for reflection and careful
thought before speaking. On the other hand, in many Western cultures,
prolonged silence can be perceived as awkward or a sign that the person is
not interested in the conversation.
Directness vs. Indirectness: In cultures like the United States or Germany,
direct communication is often appreciated, where people value getting
straight to the point. In contrast, in cultures like China or India, a more
indirect approach is often used, especially when conveying negative news or
feedback, to avoid potential confrontations and maintain harmony in
relationships.
What is Communication?
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Cultural Differences Examples
How to greet: Chicago experience. People from the USA, India, and Spain.
Expressions with a double meaning: Misinterpretation, Professionalism,
Potential Offense, Distracts from the Message, Cultural Sensitivities, Erosion
of Trust.
Colloquial expressions and jokes: Double meaning of Retarded.
What is Communication?
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Empathy
● We listen more, talk less
● Write an email and read as the receptor
● Read a code or documentation of mine from 3 months ago
● I disagree but I understand the other person's position.
● Keep an open mind and avoid assumptions
● Offer Support
What is Communication?
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Aware Attention vs Autopilot
● Paying attention
● Being focused
● Being clear
● Being transparent
What is Communication?
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Confirms that the communication happened
● Post-Meeting Summaries
● Project Assignments - Team to repeat/confirm
● Explanation - Ask questions / Ask to summarize
● Confirm of receiving - Email, chat
● Confirm where, when, who
● Ask, never assume
What is Communication?
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Remote - Hybrid - Onsite Work
What are your pros and cons?
What is Communication?
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Remote - Hybrid - Onsite Work
● Increased Reliance on Digital Tools
● Loss of Face-to-Face Interaction
● Potential for Misunderstanding
● Over Communication
● Flexible Work Hours
● Cultural and Time Zone Challenges
● Data Security Concerns
● Dependency on Internet and Technology
● Need for Clear Guidelines
● Reduced Team Cohesion
● Enhanced Focus on Written Communication Skills
● Potential for Isolation
● Feedback Delays
What is Communication?
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Tools to help you
ChatGPT
DeepL
Copilot
Use diagrams and flows
More?
What is Communication?
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Forgetting When
Examples
During a meeting, the client asked us to make some important changes
during our morning (Spain time).
At the end of the meeting, we summarise the meeting in Slack for the
whole team. We correctly communicated who was responsible for the
changes and that we had to make the important changes the next day.
But, we forgot to indicate that the changes had to be made in our morning
(Spain time).