Communication styles for cross-functional stakeholders

Working across teams means tailoring communication so it resonates with people who have different goals. Designers might focus on usability, while product managers care about timelines and executives want to see business value. Adapting style builds trust and keeps everyone engaged.

A few practices help make this shift:

• Frame outcomes, not details. For stakeholders, highlight what a design achieves rather than how it works.
• Use their language. Speak in terms of metrics, customer impact, or delivery milestones rather than design jargon.
• Anticipate priorities. Prepare answers that connect your point to what matters most for that group, such as revenue or adoption.
• Choose the right format. A quick visual may explain more to leadership than a detailed document.

For example, instead of saying “We added new spacing rules,” you might explain, “The updated layout shortens checkout by two clicks, which supports conversion goals.” Adjusting language and focus like this ensures your message feels relevant and helps secure buy-in.