How well do engineers communicate with non engineers?

I was in situation few weeks ago where I was supposed to present Routing protocols , benefits and uses to management . But again, i was as well asked to cut the technical jargon to expect more participation.Luckily, i used real time examples to explain routing protocols rather than technical definitions.
I think this is obvious, engineering people might not understand what non-engineers might be speaking and vice versa, unless specific benefits are put forth (read profits) in understandable language investors might not really be keen on adopting the idea

If you are talking to a professional who has years of expereince in any field i think it is possible for an engineer to convey his message in word. But he/she has to use words that will build pictures familiar to the person.

This update throws up problems in communications between engineers themselves:
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engineers do sometimes find trouble in communicating, with the laymen. i discovered this when i was teaching my younger brother , to drive. i used terms such as engine torque , engine rpm, and fuel inflow, whenever i tried to tell him that he should apply more pressure on the throttle while travelling uphill, and the result : he was thouroughly confused