What do you do if your Automotive Engineering career is hindered by poor communication skills?

1 Assess your communication skills

The first step is to identify your strengths and weaknesses in communication. You can ask for feedback from your colleagues, managers, or mentors, or use self-assessment tools such as the Communication Skills Assessment from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This will help you understand your communication style, preferences, and areas for improvement.

2 Learn from others

One of the best ways to improve your communication skills is to learn from others who are good at it. You can observe how they interact with different audiences, use different modes of communication, and handle different situations. You can also ask them for advice, guidance, or coaching on how to communicate effectively as an automotive engineer.

3 Practice and improve

Communication is a skill that can be improved with practice and feedback. You can look for opportunities to communicate more frequently and in different contexts, such as presentations, meetings, reports, emails, or phone calls. You can also use tools and resources such as online courses, books, podcasts, or blogs to learn new techniques and tips on communication. You should also seek feedback from your communication partners and evaluate your performance regularly.

4 Adapt to your audience

Communication is not a one-size-fits-all approach. You need to adapt your communication style, tone, language, and content to suit your audience and purpose. For example, you may need to use more technical terms and details when communicating with other engineers, but more simple and concise language when communicating with clients or customers. You should also consider the cultural and social differences of your audience and respect their preferences and expectations.

5 Listen and engage

Communication is not only about speaking or writing, but also about listening and engaging. You need to show interest and respect for your communication partners, and understand their needs, perspectives, and feedback. You can do this by asking open-ended questions, paraphrasing, summarizing, or reflecting what they say, and acknowledging their emotions and concerns. You should also avoid interrupting, arguing, or judging them, and instead focus on finding common ground and solutions.

Communication skills are essential for any automotive engineer who wants to succeed and advance in their career. By following these tips and strategies, you can improve your communication skills and become a more effective and respected engineer.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?