Here’s a way to think about grading your communication skills, as a technical human working with other humans:
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Technically competent.
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Able to do work with other technically competent people without making them want to run for the hills.
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Able to do work with technically competent people, realizing extra value through collaboration.
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Able to discuss issues with non-technical people (e.g., users) without making them want to run for the hills.
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Able to engage in brainstorming and problem solving with non-technical people, around the issues they’re facing.
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Able to communicate with folks who’re less technically proficient than you without making them want to run for the hills.
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Able to coach folks who’re less technically proficient than you through issues they’re facing, ensuring they make progress, stay engaged, and learn.
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Able to communicate with technical folks who have communication issues themselves.
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Able to help guide technical folks who have communication issues toward better technical and interpersonal outcomes.
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Able to work with teams of technical folks of varying technical and communicative abilities.
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Able to help steer teams of technical folks of varying technical and communicative abilities toward better technical and interpersonal outcomes.
This is just a sketch. Tell me why I’m wrong or what I’m missing.
