I went through hearing the similar ("talking like an engineer") comment myself. One thing made a big difference in transitioning
to company leadership.
I thought I was a leader of the people reporting to me.
A leader in a generic sense, as in civic leaders.
I have to fight for or work towards their betterment.
With that thinking, every discussion with upper management would come across as the defence, for the team, for the processes.
One executed corrected my understanding that I am not a generic leader. I am a company leader. That means the company is first and foremost. My communication and thought process has to reflect that.
It sounded a bit harsh in the beginning but it helped me become a better company leader and good for the people reporting to me and customers in the long run.
I thought I was a leader of the people reporting to me. A leader in a generic sense, as in civic leaders. I have to fight for or work towards their betterment.
With that thinking, every discussion with upper management would come across as the defence, for the team, for the processes.
One executed corrected my understanding that I am not a generic leader. I am a company leader. That means the company is first and foremost. My communication and thought process has to reflect that.
It sounded a bit harsh in the beginning but it helped me become a better company leader and good for the people reporting to me and customers in the long run.