The secret to better communication

I get it—you’re talented, you deliver outstanding results, and yet you sometimes wonder why someone who seem incompetence climb the ladder faster. The answer? Their has better ability to communicate ideas and connect with people more than you.

Hi, Kocha here—welcome to part two of my review of Tom Greever’s book “Articulating Design Decisions.” Today, we’re tackling a big one: the single most important thing you can do to improve communication with your stakeholders. Let’s dive in.

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Why communication matters more than you think

In the workplace, communication isn’t just about sharing information; it’s about building trust and creating understanding. People want to work with someone they can rely on, not just someone with great skills. Stakeholders are no different—they need to feel confident not just in your work, but in you.

The single most important thing you can do to improve communication is to improve your relationships with people you communicate with. A strong relationship can speak louder than words—or even your work itself. When people trust you, they’ll naturally be more supportive of your ideas.

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How to build better relationships

1. Find the people who matter most

Not all stakeholders have the same influence. To communicate effectively, you need to identify and adapt to these key players:

1. Team Influencers: Your immediate teammates—PMs, developers, and designers. Keep them aligned with regular check-ins and clear expectations.
2. Executive Influencers: These decision-makers control budgets and approvals. Even if you don’t meet them often, learn their priorities by observing their questions and concerns in meetings.
3. External Influencers: These could be external partners, finance teams, or even users. Turn users into allies by gathering their feedback and showing how your designs address their needs.

💡 Pro tip: When you present to stakeholders, mention how your design aligns with user feedback. This builds credibility and strengthens relationships.

2. Speak their language

A lack of shared experiences often prevents us from seeing someone else’s perspective. Bridge this gap by asking thoughtful, relevant questions that show genuine interest, like:

• “What’s your opinion on this project?”
• “How does this project affect your job?”
• “What’s your priority for this project?”

Remember to tailor your communication to their values. For instance, if your manager values brevity, focus on concise, actionable updates.

Translate this understanding into stakeholder stories like: "As a manager, I want to see what my team is working on so I can report back to upper management."

3. Make trust your superpower

Good communication starts with good relationships. Greever outlines 3 simple ways to build rapport:

1. Show your personality: Be professional but approachable—let people see the human behind the designer.
2. Do thoughtful gestures: Small acts of kindness—like a thank-you message or an offer to help—can leave a lasting impression.
3. Share meaningful value: Share a helpful resource, acknowledge someone’s idea in a meeting, or offer feedback.

Key Takeaways

Improving communication with stakeholders isn’t about fancy presentations or endless updates. It’s about building genuine relationships and understanding what drives the people who influence your project. Three simple things you can do today are:

1. Map out key influencers and adapt to their priorities.
2. Ask better questions to align with stakeholder values.
3. Build trust—it’s the foundation of effective communication.

✨Action: This week, try identifying one key influencer, asking them a thoughtful question, and taking one small step to build trust. You’ll be surprised at the impact.

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Now that we’ve covered how to strengthen communication with stakeholders, in the next episode, we’ll how to articulate your ideas effectively in meetings.

Thanks for tuning in—chat soon! ✌🏼

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Book summary episodes from Tom Greever’s “Articulating Design Decisions”

Ep.1: What makes good design good?

Ep.2: The secret to better communication

Ep.3: When do designers miss opportunities most?

Ep.4: Coming soon