The job of a technical person isn’t just about doing their technical work, it’s also got to be about communication. But those two jobs use two very different muscles, and if you don’t use a muscle much, it won’t get stronger.
In this vlog post, Pete zeroes in on one particular muscle technical people need to go out of their way to exercise.
I want to talk about something simple — and surprisingly powerful — the cadence of conversation.
We work with a lot of organizations where technical professionals — engineers, architects, specialists — are expected to engage clients, lead conversations, and build relationships.
And one common challenge comes up again and again:
They’re so focused on the intellectual side of things that it’s hard to shift into a natural, human conversation.
I was reminded of this recently in a sales conversation with a prospect I had never met before.
From the very first moment, the conversation felt natural.
And the structure was simple:
This is the natural rhythm of conversation.
And it shows up everywhere — in business development coaching, networking coaching, and leadership presence coaching.
Before you dive into the main topic, take a moment to connect as humans.
It doesn’t have to be complicated:
These moments aren’t filler.
They’re connection.
In business development communication training and networking skills development, this is often the difference between a transactional conversation and a relational one.
If you’re more analytical or intellectually wired, your instinct may be to get straight to the point.
You want to be efficient. You want to be clear. You want to get to the substance.
That makes sense.
But skipping the human moment can make the conversation feel abrupt or disconnected.
In AEC presentation skills and interview skills training for professionals, we often see this pattern: strong content, but weaker connection.
The fix is simple — but it requires intention.
After you’ve covered the important material, don’t just end the conversation.
Come back to the human connection.
Thank the person. Acknowledge the interaction. Recognize the shared effort.
This closing moment reinforces the relationship.
In group presentation coaching and client conversations, it leaves a lasting impression that goes beyond the content itself.
The key is consistency.
Practice this cadence intentionally:
Over time, it becomes automatic.
And when it does, your confident presence grows naturally.
You’re no longer just delivering information.
You’re creating an experience.
Whether you’re in a networking conversation, a client meeting, or a sales pitch, people are looking for more than just information.
They’re looking for connection.
And the simplest way to create it is to honor the natural cadence of conversation.
Start human. End human.
Everything in between will land more effectively because of it.
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