“…help IT departments effectively communicate…”

The communications gap between IT and the rest of the social/business/human universe is legendary. I suspect (as you imply) that it’s up to IT to bridge the gap by first coming to terms with the fact that 99% of Humanity hasn’t the slightest idea what we’re talking about once we get past “Hello”.

More to the point, by coming to terms, I mean that communication must be recognized as a bridge. IT needs to learn:

1-The fine art of clearly explaining in plain English.

2-Not to be arrogant just because everyone’s not a geek, and communicate accordingly.

3-Appreciate (truly!) the simple and obvious fact that in any organizational setting, IT is first and foremost a service unit–not a contingent of technologically advanced aliens from a distant star system, on a mission to bring enlightenment to a backward species.

I jest, but not for nothing do IT folks, in the privacy of the server room, routinely designate practically everyone outside of IT as “ID10T’s”
(“eye-dee-ten-tee’s”)

In summary, humility (just a tad!) and effective communication are not mutually exclusive concepts.