7 Communication Skills Every Software Engineer Needs to Boost Their Career

As teams grow and projects become more complex, communication becomes an essential skill that can set you apart.

Whether you're explaining complex code to teammates, discussing project requirements with non-technical stakeholders, or resolving issues across departments, mastering clear, effective communication can greatly enhance your impact and career growth.

Here are seven tips that will help you build stronger connections and ensure your messages are both understood and valued.

Before jumping into the “how” or “what” of a task, start by explaining why it matters. Context helps everyone—whether developers or non-technical people—understand the purpose of your work and prioritize tasks effectively.

Action point: When kicking off a discussion, briefly explain the value or reason behind the task. For example, “This feature will help reduce user drop-off by 15%,” provides clear motivation.

When explaining concepts to non-technical team members or stakeholders, simplify the language. Instead of saying, "We need to refactor this codebase for better modularity," try, "We need to reorganize the code to make it easier to update and maintain."

Action point: Before a conversation, consider how you'd explain a technical concept to a non-technical friend or family member. Aim for clarity over complexity.

Clarity in emails and written communication prevents back-and-forth and saves time. Use bullet points, headers, and concise summaries to make your message digestible. The easier your message is to read, the better it will be understood.

Action point: Use a structured format in your emails, especially when discussing tasks or projects. Include sections like “Purpose,” “Action Items,” and “Deadline” for clarity.

A developer, a product manager, and a client each have different priorities and technical backgrounds. Effective communication means adapting your message accordingly. For example, a developer might need specific implementation details, while a stakeholder may only need to know how a feature benefits end-users.

Action point: Before speaking, identify your audience’s role and knowledge level. Adjust your message so it resonates with their priorities and perspective.

Constructive feedback is most valuable when it’s clear and actionable. Whether giving or receiving feedback, focus on specific actions that can be taken rather than vague assessments. This is especially helpful when discussing code reviews or performance improvements.

Action point: When providing feedback, try to suggest one specific improvement. Instead of saying, “This code could be cleaner,” say, “Consider breaking down this function into smaller parts for readability.”

It's easy for people to forget or misunderstand what was discussed during a meeting. By sharing key points, action items, and deadlines, you create a single source of truth everyone can refer to. This is particularly useful in remote or asynchronous teams.

Action point: After a meeting, briefly summarize the main points in a shared document or email, and tag relevant team members. This keeps everyone aligned and accountable.

As engineers, it’s easy to get frustrated when others don’t immediately understand a concept. Remember that non-technical people might find your work as complex as you would find theirs. Practising empathy can make a big difference in building rapport and reducing tension in your interactions.

Action point: When responding to questions, especially repeated ones, take a deep breath and offer your help with patience. You might say, “I know this can be confusing, but I’m here to walk you through it.”

The more approachable and clear you are, the easier it will be for others to work with you—and the faster projects can progress.

Start by picking one of these tips to practice this week. You’ll notice how small communication changes can have a big impact on collaboration and project success.

Cheers,
Gábor