Why Engineers Should Learn to Communicate Like Executives (Yes, You)

Yesterday, I watched the OpenAI team unveil GPT-5. And, as a leadership comm coach, I was not only impressed by everyone’s delivery. I was also excited to get my hands on the new model.

Every budding engineer I know dreams of being on a stage like that. Working on something groundbreaking. Feeling the whole world lean in.

But here’s the part we don’t talk about: most engineers pull back. Not from the work but from the spotlight. From speaking clearly, confidently, and publicly about what they’ve built. Even just showing up in a high-stakes meeting can make your stomach drop.

If that’s you, you’re not alone.

But here’s the truth: your work won’t speak for itself, you need to.

And it doesn’t matter whether your code is used by a million users or just your team. If you want to influence what gets built, prioritized, or launched, you need to speak like someone whose work already matters to leadership.

Start with Status Updates

You don’t need a TED Talk to practice. You just need the next status meeting.

I coach engineers at some of the top tech companies in Silicon Valley, and here’s what we work on: clear, concise, executive-ready thinking especially under pressure.

That means:

• 5 minutes with a senior exec

• 1 shot to make your message land

• 0 time for confusion or rambling

Most engineers prep by listing facts. But that’s not communication, it’s a data dump. Execs don’t reward detail. They reward clarity, focus, and forward motion.

Enter the P.I.N. Framework

Here’s what I teach: a simple tool to help you speak with pinpoint precision.

• P = Point – What’s your headline? The takeaway?

• I = Insight – What’s the brief supporting data or logic?

• N = Next Steps – What do you recommend should happen next?

But here’s the trick: execs don’t want to be told what to do. They want agency. So even in your recommendation, offer options. You’re not just reporting. You’re guiding.

AI Is Not Your Replacement, It’s Your Rehearsal Space

Some comms experts resist AI. They say it’s making things worse. I don’t.

I want to test GPT-5. Here’s how I’ll use it to prep:

• Clarify what my audience wants to hear

• Stress-test how I’ll say it, before I say it

• Role-play tough questions and pressure moments, so I can stay calm and credible

AI helps you think better, not just develop content faster. And that’s the future of leadership.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Actually Matters

Let’s zoom out. GPT-5 is stunning. Superintelligence might arrive by 2027. That’s not science fiction anymore.

And that’s why engineers must lead the conversation, not just build the tech.

• If you can’t explain what you’re building…

• If you can’t help others understand the risks…

• If you can’t make the case for alignment, safety, or next steps…

Then someone else will. And they might get it wrong.

Final Takeaways

• Your ideas don’t matter if no one hears them

• Communication is how you get into the room, and how you shape what happens next

• PIN is your practice ground

• AI is your thinking partner

• The future needs your voice, not just your code

Let’s build the future we want, out loud.