Clear Communication Secrets Every Tech Leader Must Know
Strong communication isn’t a “nice-to-have” skill—it’s essential, especially in tech. On this episode of The Tech Leaders Playbook, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Chris Fenning, a renowned communication expert and author of The First Minute. His mission? Helping professionals (especially those in technical roles) communicate clearly and concisely across departments, up the org chart, and out into the world.
What made this episode so impactful was Chris’s relatable journey—from aerospace engineering to running IT and M&A at a major American corporation, to becoming the go-to authority on communication strategies. It’s proof that even the most technical experts can evolve into powerful communicators—with the right tools.
Why Tech Leaders Struggle with Communication
Chris identified a massive industry gap: tons of advice about what to do (e.g., “be clear and concise”) but almost no practical guidance on how to do it.
Through years of real-world experience, Chris found that engineers, product teams, and business leaders often speak entirely different “languages.” Tech teams get caught up in detail and jargon. Business leaders want fast decisions and clear outcomes. Enter confusion, delay, and misalignment.
That’s why Chris created The First Minute framework—anchored in three powerful words: context, intent, and key message. Starting with these helps any conversation stay on track, whether it’s in the hallway, on Zoom, or in an email.
How to Communicate Like a Tech Leader
Chris broke it down for us in ways any tech leader can use right now:
Stop talking about the tech. Start talking about what it does.
Use the other person’s language—if they call it “the sales system,” call it that.
Frame emails with a strong subject line and opening line. State the topic and purpose right away.
Keep it short. A Boston Globe study proved that cutting email content by over half doubled the response rate.
Chris also gave tactical advice for Slack, Teams, and even navigating those tricky “do you have a minute?” conversations. Want someone to just listen? Say, “Can I vent for a minute?” Want help? Say, “I need your input on X.” That small shift changes everything.
At HIRECLOUT, we often see brilliant technologists get overlooked not because of lack of talent—but because they struggle to communicate their value. Insights like these are game-changers, especially in client-facing or leadership roles.
Make It Stick (And Make It Work)
If you’ve ever attended a training that faded from memory the next day, Chris gets it. That’s why his book 39 Ways to Make Training Stick exists. Whether through email nudges, peer groups, or team accountability, Chris stressed the importance of context-specific follow-through—because one-size never fits all.
From technical founders to engineering VPs, this conversation was a masterclass in how communication can accelerate—or bottleneck—success. And as tech leaders scale, Chris reminded us that “your ability to communicate becomes more important than your ability to code.”
Connect with Chris Fenning:
🔗 ChrisFenning.com
🔗 LinkedIn
Want to build stronger tech teams with better communicators?
Visit HIRECLOUT to find elite tech talent who know how to collaborate, communicate, and get results.
