# Explain Less, Align More: Explaining tech to non-technical stakeholders

DevFeed: [Explain Less, Align More: Explaining tech to non-technical stakeholders](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/explain-less-align-more-explaining-tech-to-non-technical-stakeholders-26532.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://annajmcdougall.medium.com/explain-less-align-more-e72c6a692b23?source=rss-51f15275ef3a------2>)

Author: Anna J McDougall

Published: 2025-07-22T16:33:29Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Anna J McDougall](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/anna-j-mcdougall.md>)

Topics: [Architecture & Design](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/architecture-design.md>), [Microservice](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/microservice.md>), [implementation](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/implementation.md>)

Tags: [communication](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/communication.md>), [digital-transformation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/digital-transformation.md>), [engineering-management](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering-management.md>), [implementation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/implementation.md>), [information-technology](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/information-technology.md>), [microservices](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/microservices.md>), [software-engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software-engineering.md>), [tech](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tech.md>), [technical](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/technical.md>), [technology](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/technology.md>)

## AI overview

An article presents communication strategies for explaining technology to non-technical stakeholders and reducing resistance to digital transformation. It recommends adapting language to the audience, establishing expectations, avoiding assumptions about understanding, and starting with simple explanations.

## Source excerpt

Introduction A few months ago, I was invited to speak on behalf of the women's tech organization AnitaB at a Deutsche Bank event. The topic was "Communication Strategies for Overcoming Stakeholder Resistance to Digital Transformation." It might sound a bit like buzzword salad, but it's actually a crucial skill for technologists, especially in cultures where change is often met with resistance. Anyone working in German digitalisation will recognise the familiar phrase: "It's always been done that way." Unfortunately, just before the event, I came down with Norovirus (which, by the way, I do not recommend) and had to withdraw from the talk. While a blogpost can never replace the energy of a live presentation, I wanted to share some of the key takeaways here. You can also access the slides of the presentation I prepared here. Main TakeawaysSpeak their language Are they in business, marketing, or finance? Rather than jumping into technical jargon, take time to consider which terms and concepts they're likely familiar with. And if you're not sure, ask. For example: "If I say 'microservices', is that familiar enough for you to explain back to me, or would you rather I go over it?" or even don't ask and default to "Unless anyone objects, I'm going to do a quick refresher on what a microservice is". An important note here is not to ask questions where people default to a false yes. For example, you want to avoid "You get that, right?" or "That's familiar to you already, I assume?". Asking these questions makes it hard for any individual to lose face and voluntarily say "Actually no, I'm the person who has no clue about this". Establishing expectations also helps: the stakeholders might be asking more about budget or people than about the details of the technical implementation at all! Your refresher on microservices might be totally out of place is you don't establish early that that's what the conversation is actually about. My tip here is to start simple, and work your wa