Communication

Throughout my 7+ years navigating diverse landscapes, across various industries, I’ve encountered a number of ups and downs that have shaped my work habits. I refer to them as the Three C’s: Communication, Collaboration, and Curiosity. These principles have helped me thrive in environments my younger self could’ve never have imagined navigating through. I credit them to their simplicity and power. 

I learned that talking isn’t just about sharing information; it’s about ensuring the listener comprehends the intended message. When teaching or sharing a vision, some speakers become frustrated if the information isn’t received as expected. However it’s essential to remember that the primary goal isn’t to just say the combination of words, but to genuinely guide the listener towards understanding your vision. Patience and clarity are vital for achieving this and are often the result of effective communication. 

For instance, at my time at Moko Direct, there was a large disconnect between my reporting director and the teams working on our smart-life mobile app. While our engineering teams were developing features for our mobile app, the information and its significance weren’t effectively communicated to other departments. This resulted in misunderstandings, delays in implementation, and a lack of a collective vision. 

Clearly defining metrics and using data to prioritize which feature updates to release bridged the gap between what was being developed and what our customers actually desired from a user experience (UX) perspective. Just as in any dynamic within departments, speaking the same language among business, technical, and for the customer is a necessity in product management. This application of Communication goes beyond professional settings; in our relationships with friends, family, and our significant other, practicing clear communication is vital…. trust me.