How excellent language skills will make you a superior architect
By: Shashi Sastry
Tags: Information Technology, Communication, Influence, Enterprise Architecture, Language

It enables abstract thought and delivers material value.

Image by Devonyu in Getty Images

Can you think of anything without words? Can you imagine relationships without grammar? Can you relate a story without language?

I’ve long suspected that my architecture capability grows with my language skills. If it’s true, why is it so? When I thought this through, I observed three distinct facilities of language. They are:

1. Modelling

The foremost ability is the creation of abstract mental representations of real-world problems and their potential solutions.

Architecture is about constructing models of reality.

These models take the form of images or drawings in our minds, or are materialised electronically or physically, on paper or in solid shapes. But each shape has a name. Their relationships in space and time also have names. Without an adequate set of named objects and relationships in space and time, there wouldn’t be useful models.

Language is invented and evolves with the problems and solutions we deal with. If a woman is stranded on a desert island and has to construct something challenging, she’ll likely scratch a drawing in the sand and give names to any new objects and dependencies she creates.

So, the richer our language, that is to say, the more named objects and relationships we have in our minds, the better we are as modellers.

2. Transmission

If the prehistoric people who painted scenes on the cave walls of Lascaux or Altamira could talk to us, we would get what they were trying to record, convey, or affect. The language would allow us to understand their ideas, models and stories that we can only guess at today.

Consider then how essential language is to communicate the far more complex IT architecture models now de rigueur.

Architects throw models at each other when they discuss problems and solutions. As we thrash through argument and counter-argument, the models morph until they converge or stop at some state of difference.

But it starts with the ability to convey the problem precisely. The solutions often emerge clearly if the real needs and wants are defined. Therefore, an architect shouldn't neglect the requirements domain in favour of solution language. It is a grave error to do so.

The expression of problems is the user’s, client’s and business’ terminology, jargon, their Tower of Babel. Learn it well, as their world is where your solution will go in to do its job.

Then, of course, know the solution language — that of your patterns, components and methods.

It’s interesting to observe our internal, vocalised or written language, to observe our mind at work. As we get better at it, we guess better the workings of the minds of others and fill in the gaps in mutual understanding. It makes us genuinely listen so we can be a ‘mind alignment expert’.

3. Influence

To realize my architecture, I have to move others. Enthusiastic support is critical for success, compared to a mere intellectual agreement.

Many solutions require me to convince people often to think bigger, better and give more in the short term, for the long term benefits. This needs a whole other vocabulary of finance, economics, markets and organizational dynamics.

Last, but most importantly, I have to win the hearts of the stakeholders. They have to feel good, comfortable, validated, and empowered. My language has to encompass psychology, ethics, philosophy and morality.

I have come to believe more and more in recent years that winning the hearts of my customers is more critical than the details of the solution.

We also need to have the gift of the gab for this, in the best way. As long as we maintain our integrity, the pitch serves the greater good. So, don’t be shy in using your most winning words to lead everyone up the right path.

The dimensions of language excellence

Architecture work will necessarily use a social language. If it is English, make sure yours is in the top 10th percentile. Trust me; if you think you are a fine technical architect and it is only your English that is broken, it is not a superficial issue. If your mental work applies English, and it is broken, the outcome cannot be of high quality. If your communication is in English and it is faulty, it compounds the problem.

The same applies if you work in Japanese, Chinese or German.

For top-class modelling, communication and influence in any language, there are three vital dimensions to explore.

Clarity

Breadth & Depth

Emotional Power

The mind map below helps you study each dimension and become proficient in them over a couple of years. The most important ones are outlined.

Summing up

I think I see why the more I read the more language-related neural networks I form in my brain. The more I observe language and its effects, the easier I find it to dispatch architecture engagements well. I see the power of language in my work every day.

So I tell my architects, don’t take your language skills for granted. With superior language, you will soar and enjoy your work more and more.

So, observe yourself communicating in all ways, always. Observe a lot, read a lot, write a lot. Rework your speech and writing a lot.

Basically, be the opposite of dumb, dear architect.