Communication Skills
BY BARBARA ISKIERSKA
Everyone who’s ever worked with a database team has come across database champions – dedicated problem solvers and masters of the art of detail! No matter how big or small the data team in your organisation is, there are some common characteristics describing our (slightly more than average) technically-driven data colleagues.
Here at Productle - many of us are former database team members ourselves – we often draw upon our past experiences when trying to find new ways to help and support the teams we are currently working with.
In this post, Part 1 of this topic, we are focusing on communication - a crucial skill is in the context of your organisation and cross-team collaboration. Working with data may seem like a solitary task, but make no mistake - a database team’s day is often filled with various forms of contact across all the departments that rely on the data. The ability to work effectively with others will have a huge impact on building positive and strong relationships and on the success of your outcomes.
To collaborate effectively will require communicating with clarity and precision. There is an obvious challenge here (we are all different and have different communication preferences!) but delivering information in a clear and understandable way is the foundation of every successful project.
In addition, being able to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders in a way that is easy to understand is extremely important. The ‘explaining’ itself can have different forms depending on your audience - consider what might work best for your stakeholders: an engaging Zoom discussion, a detailed PowerBI dashboard, talking through a slide deck on a call or a face-to-face workshop? The choice of the communication tool between the data champs and the wider team is key. Data teams frequently have to deliver intricate findings, but the choice of how the complex ideas are presented is worth careful consideration.
Remember, communication skills are essential for a successful database team. By collaborating effectively, communicating with clarity and using a variety of different communication tools, the data teams can deliver indisputable value to the organization.
