How’s Your Computer-side Manner? – Ali Atkison (Talk at Python Web Conference 2022)

Use empathy and inquiry to improve computer-side manner

• How would you rate your own communications skills?

What comunication skills say about you

• They represent your own brand
• 85% of success comes from soft skills
• only 15% of success comes from technical knowledge
• makes best managers, entrepreneurs and successful businesses
  • example: Steve Jobs
• effective communication builds trust!
• we make inferences about other people based on their communication

Myth’s about communication

• communication skills don’t matter – only technical skills are important
  • wrong: no team work possible without communication
• IM communication doesn’t matter
  • wrong: every communication is important
• people can figure out what I mean
  • wrong: be clear about what you mean – don’t waste other peoples time
• my tone doesn’t matter
  • wrong: tone matters, even in written communication
• doesn’t matter if I actively participate in zoom meetings
  • wrong: you can’t multi-task!!

multi-tasking

• not possible for humans
• trying to multi-task increses stress
• attention is selective
  • task dependend
  • depends on motivation
• you can choose to focus (or not) – focus: your choice
  • you decide what’s in front of you
  • turn off distractions (devices, notifications, etc.)

the new EI

• empathy
  • think about the other person
  • make sure your communication is clear
    • be specific and clear
    • respect other peoples time
    • communicate effectively (as much as necessary, as little as possible)
• inquiry (How do you connect to what they know?)
  • Ask lot’s of questions
    • question your own communication
    • Why, what, when, who, where, how, …
    • What does the other person need to know?
    • questions what you may be misinterpreting
    • don’t make hasty asspumtions/conclusions

result of EI

• you’ll communicate with your recipients perspective in mind
• engage (empathy)
• make your messages clear and succinct!
• don’t have a brand by default – build your brand (communication) actively!

after-talk conversation

• know the purpose (goal) of your communication before you begin
  • how should other people know what you want if you don’t even know
• bring the most relevat information first (also in written communication)
  • don’t bury the lead
    • bullet points, headings, sub-headings
    • maybe let it revise by someone
• take your time
  • often we don’t allow ourselves to take our time (especially in the online world)