For creative types, you’re all probably familiar with the elevator pitch–the need to distill your brilliant idea down to a 30-60 second summary you can explain to someone during a ride in an elevator. Dumb Little Man (hey, I’m in no position to make fun of their name) has a good article titled How to Craft a Killer Elevator Pitch That Will Land You Big Business. The think about an elevator pitch is that it’s an excellent exercise even if you never have to use it. It still makes you refine your idea in such a way that you can communicate it in terms of themes. If you think your idea is too lofty, too complicated, or far-reaching to communicate in a lowly elevator pitch then it means you’re A) too in love with your own idea to examine it objectively, B) full of yourself, C) clueless, or D) all of the above.
But let’s say you’re not a creative type or you aren’t far enough along in the creative process to need an elevator pitch yet. Scott Adams has some excellent career advice . If you have to ask why it might be worth listening to the creator of Dilbert when it comes to career advice, then you’re probably a lost cause. In short, he says that it is easier to find career success by focusing on being good two or three things and combining those skills, rather than trying to reach recognition as the best at a single thing. He continues by using communication as an example. Take any other profession, then add public speaking, and suddenly you rise to the top of your field. Personally, I’d say if you are in any area of the IT world, focus on improving your communication and you’ll find success. So many people in IT have poor written and verbal communication skills that anyone who has average knowledge in their area but who can communicate effectively has a huge advantage over those who don’t. If I had the creds, I’d start a continuing ed program in Communication for IT Professionals. This idea was actually given to me by someone in the profession at the time, so this isn’t me taking pot-shots at tech folks. This came from someone in the industry who recognized a problem and a potential solution. Of course, another solution would be to require more writing projects and presentations from students in college. That’s a whole other essay, though.
I stress the impact of communication on my staff, as the days of the unsocial nerdy tech are gone. We, as technical professionals need to partner and communicate with our customers to reach that next level. What you say is too true, very good.