Beyond Frameworks and Methodologies: Why Your Next Career Breakthrough Lies in Human Connection
by Vadim Deylgat, Senior Solution Analyst, Colruyt Group IT
As business analysts, we’re masters of our methods. We’ve perfected our requirements-gathering techniques, we know our frameworks inside out, and we can map a business process with surgical precision. Yet despite all our methodological prowess, how many of us have experienced that sinking feeling when a stakeholder says “That’s not what I meant” or when a perfectly crafted solution gets met with resistance?
I know you have been there, because I have too. The sense of emotional deflation. All your hard work, slamming into a wall of solid misunderstanding and lack of acceptance.
The uncomfortable truth is this: we’ve become so focused on the what and the how of our deliverables that we’ve forgotten the who hidden behind them. We’re building solutions for humans, yet we’re not always connecting with the human element of our work.
The Missing Piece in Your BA Toolkit
I’ve been there. Earlier in my career as a business analyst at Colruyt Group IT: I was considered to be technically competent, methodologically sound, knowledgeable of my domain. Yet I was utterly puzzled by why some of my interactions felt like uphill battles. My background in psychology eventually helped me realize what was missing: I wasn’t truly connecting with the people behind the problems I was assigned to solve.
This realization drove me to develop what I call “The Empathy Edge”; the ability to understand and connect with stakeholders on a deeper level, transforming not only how we communicate, but the very outcomes we achieve. It’s not about being “nice” or “touchy-feely.” It’s about wielding empathy as a real tool, a professional superpower that makes everything else we do more effective.
What’s Really at Stake?
Think about your last challenging stakeholder interaction. Was it really about the requirements being unclear, or was there something happening under the surface? Perhaps the stakeholder felt unheard, misunderstood, or concerned about how the change would impact their work. When we miss these human dynamics, even our best technical solutions can fail, and I promise you, under those circumstances they will fail.
The business analysts who thrive aren’t necessarily those with the sharpest analytical minds. No, it’s the ones who can navigate the complex human minefield of organizational change. They understand that lurking underneath every user story is a real person with real concerns, real motivations, and real emotions about the changes being proposed.
The Immediate Impact You Can Expect
In my three-hour workshop at the Business Analysis Conference this September, you’ll walk away with immediately applicable techniques that will transform your stakeholder interactions from day one. These have been pulled from various sources, authors and experts on communication and connection. You’ll learn the art of “labeling”, a simple but powerful technique that can defuse tension and build trust in real-time. You’ll get confronted with phrases and words that can build a bridge or, if using the wrong ones, blow it up. You’ll discover how to recognize and navigate the three types of conversations that happen in every business context.
But more importantly, you’ll gain clarity on your own communication style and blind spots. This is just as much about learning new techniques, as it is about developing your personal roadmap for growth as a business analyst who connects authentically with people. This workshop is merely your first step
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
In our increasingly digital world, the human touch has become a differentiator. No longer an afterthought. The BAs who advance in their careers aren’t just process experts or improvement masterminds. They’re the ones stakeholders trust, the ones who can translate complex technical concepts into human terms, and the ones who can build bridges across organizational silos.
We live in an age where AI can help us with many analytical tasks, but it cannot replace the human ability to truly understand, empathize with, and connect with other humans. This is where your competitive advantage lies. All you have to do…is seize it!
Your Journey Starts with One Conversation
The most successful business analysts I know didn’t get there by perfecting another framework or mastering another tool. They got there by recognizing that every requirement gathering session, every stakeholder meeting, and every solution presentation is fundamentally a human interaction. And human interactions, when approached with genuine empathy and skilful communication, become the foundation for extraordinary professional success.
Whether you’re a seasoned BA looking to break through to the next level, or someone newer to the field who wants to build strong foundations, this workshop will give you both the insights and the practical tools to transform how you show up in your role.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not simply analysing business systems and solution designs. We are the ones helping fellow humans navigate change. And when we connect with that human element, everything else becomes possible.
See Vadim Live at the Business Analysis Conference Europe 2025
Join Vadim Deylgat at the Business Analysis Conference Europe 2025
🗓 Wednesday, 17 September 2025 | 🕘 09:30 – 13:00 BST
📍Convene 133 Houndsditch, 133 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7DB
🎤 The Empathy Edge: Mastering Communication for Business Analysis Success
Discover how empathy and language can transform your stakeholder relationships and elevate your analysis practice. Learn proven techniques to navigate complex conversations with clarity, confidence, and impact.
