I’m sick of people moaning about engineers having all the technical complexities figured out in their bespectacled heads, but not having a clue on how to express themselves when the need arises. That being said, I’m also sick of speaking to fellow engineers and getting blown away by incredibly mind-boggling page width-length terms.
Are these stereotypes still relevant? Why can’t we be simple, direct and clear in what we want to say without sounding from another planet? Why talk AT each other when we should be talking TO each other? How can we effectively explain how solar panels work, whether to a tribe of African villagers or a meeting room full of Japanese corporate executives? How can we leave a positive lasting impression on the people that we meet and work with?
I reckon with the right set of communication skills, all this can be achieved. To be a successful global engineer, the ability to understand and adopt national and cultural sensitivities into one’s speech and behaviour while interacting with others is a must. Knowing one’s product alone is insufficient. It is equally, if not more important, to know the target audience well. It’s about having the ability to analyse a situation, and then adopting the necessary mediums of communication to understand a customer’s needs before delivering an appropriate conveyable solution.
六弄咖啡館
7 years ago
5 comments:
Hello!
I like the way you link the importance of communication with how engineers work. The use of rhetorical questions was good.
yuklum :)
Hi,
In my opinion, scientist leaving at this time and era not only need to be an expert in their own field of research but also need to be equally good on how they communicate their ground-breaking ideas/theory; not only to their colleagues but also to the general community. Therefore it is not enough to just being able to communicate in a scientific language but a scientist also need to be able to convey the importance of their research in a layman's term.
I would definitely agree with you that we do need to equip ourselves with intercultural commmunication skill as mentioned in the book. It is parts and parcel of our life now since we are always interacting with people from all walks of life and culture, especially here in Singapore, a multicultural country.
Susanto
This is an excellent post, Ben, and an original way of responding to the task. You start the discussion by providing an important context: what you discern as key issues (stereotypes, lack of communication skills) facing a future engineer like yourself. You then connect that with a nod to effective communication skills. (I also agree with Yuk Lum that your use of questions is apt.) In this post, your means of expression is also quite clear and persuasive. Thanks for the effort!
I look forward to reading more of your thoughts.
Dear Ben
I really like the fact that you are following a non conventional approach to present your view. The practical situation about engineers is very precisely showed. Its an innovative post..:)
Good luck..
Vijani
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