Mastering Communication in Control Systems Integration: How to Help Engineers Present with Confidence

Summary: This post explores the importance of self-awareness and personal growth for engineers, particularly in improving their communication skills. While technical expertise is crucial, being able to present ideas clearly and confidently is just as vital. Drawing on methods like the Immunity to Change approach, the post highlights how engineers can uncover hidden barriers that hinder their communication, address their fears, and reframe their perspectives. By doing this inner work, engineers can enhance their ability to collaborate, lead, and effectively share their ideas in both technical and non-technical settings.

Meet Me: Dedidicated to Helping Others Grow

For several decades during my long career in human resources, I’ve been involved in hiring and developing engineers, IT staffmembers and other technical professionals. While I’m not a communications coach or therapist per se,- among other things - I help guide and support engineers as they develop the skills needed to communicate their ideas effectively, both with clients and internal teams.

In the world of control systems integration, engineers possess remarkable technical expertise. However, their ability to communicate that knowledge clearly and confidently is often where they may face significant challenges. As someone responsible for helping build high-performance engineering teams through recruiting, selection, learning and development, I’ve seen firsthand how improving communication skills can have a profound impact on team dynamics, client relationships, and project success.

The Challenge of Effective Communication in Control Systems Integration

Control systems engineers at Thermo Systems (my current employer), work with complex technologies and intricate systems that require deep technical knowledge. However, conveying these ideas to clients, project managers, or other stakeholders who may not have a technical background can be especially challenging. This is where effective communication becomes key. While engineers excel in solving complex problems, presenting those solutions clearly often proves to be a challenge. ThermoUniversity is a company run learning and development program where engineers further develop their essentual skills, which include communication.

When engineers face clients, executives, or internal team members, they often encounter situations where translating technical jargon into easy-to-understand language is vital. As someone in a human resources leadership role for nearly 50 years, I've learned that communication isn’t just about speaking well; it's about connecting with the audience and presenting ideas in ways that resonate with them.

The Power of Self-Awareness: Understanding Why We Communicate the Way We Do

One of the most important tools I encourage engineers to use when developing their communication skills is self-awareness. Understanding one’s communication style and how it changes depending on the situation is crucial for effective interaction. I’ve seen how engineers can struggle with nerves or anxiety when presenting. Often, it’s not the content that’s the problem, but how they perceive their role in the presentation.

This is where engaging in “inner work” can be powerful. A concept shared by Blake Ashforth, a leading expert on identity at Arizona State University, is the idea of a "portfolio of selves". According to Ashforth, our sense of self is influenced by how others perceive us. When presenting, engineers often have different “selves” that show up, depending on the audience they are facing—whether it's their "confident self", "knowledgeable self", or "friendly self". Being able to tap into the right self for the situation can help engineers present their ideas more effectively.

For instance, when facing a client, an engineer may need to show up as their "confident self"—projecting assurance in their solutions. On the other hand, when engaging with internal teams, it may be more beneficial to step into their "mentor self", sharing knowledge and encouraging open dialogue.

Overcoming Hidden Barriers: The Immunity to Change (ITC) Method

Another approach I’ve found helpful in guiding engineers to improve their communication skills is the Immunity to Change (ITC) method, developed by Harvard professors Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey. The ITC method focuses on identifying and addressing hidden commitments—those unseen barriers that hold engineers back from making the changes they want.

For example, an engineer might want to become more confident in their presentations but may be secretly avoiding it due to a fear of failure or embarrassment. As a result, they may avoid speaking opportunities, refuse feedback, or hide their ideas behind technical jargon.

Identifying these hidden commitments can allow engineers to confront and challenge their fears. In my experience, engineers and others can start by reflecting on their goals (e.g., becoming a confident presenter) and the behaviors or thoughts that are preventing them from reaching those goals. Once they can recognize the underlying barriers, they can begin to take proactive steps, like practicing in low-stakes settings or getting feedback from trusted colleagues.

As Kegan and Lahey put it, "The immunity to change is not about fixing what’s wrong, it’s about seeing what you’re really committed to that might be limiting you."

Reframing the Story: Changing the Narrative Around Public Speaking

In my work at various technology companies over the years, I’ve also seen how the stories engineers and technicians from many fields tell themselves can create unnecessary anxiety. Often, they experience anxiety about presenting due to the stories they make up in their minds about the situation. For example, an engineer may tell themselves, "If I can’t communicate clearly, I’ll lose credibility and ruin the project."

By helping engineers and technicians recognize that these stories are not the reality, they can begin to focus on the facts. Yes, presenting to a non-technical audience may be challenging, but that doesn't mean they are bound to fail. Instead of fearing failure, they can focus on making the presentation clear and interactive. Encouraging engineers and technicians to think of a presentation as a dialogue rather than a monologue helps take the pressure off. Engaging with the audience, asking questions, and ensuring they’re understood allows engineers to feel more in control of the situation.

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My Recent Interview on "Engineering Success" (Click)

Marc LeVine is a Syracuse (NY) University graduate with a degree in Industrial Psychology; Marc is currently a Talent Acquisitions Manager at Thermo Systems. He received the Excellence in Talent Acquisitions Award from HR Awards in 2021.

Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ; Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ; InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge, NJ and Plainsboro, NJ; and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ; a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune, and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey-based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm, for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his Freehold Borough, NJ hometown.

Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ; Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ; InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge, NJ and Plainsboro, NJ; and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ; a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune, and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey-based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm, for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his Freehold Borough, NJ hometown.

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