You could be the most talented software engineer, product designer, or other type of tech professional. Excellent! But how well do you collaborate with others?
Prior to now, many companies sought out tech talent with strong coding skills, relevant certifications, and professional licenses.
However, as more highly skilled tech professionals emerge in the tech industry today, many companies have begun to place a greater emphasis on soft skills as well. Time management, empathy, teamwork, adaptability, and communication are examples.
Earlier this week, a friend of mine posted on her WhatsApp status about how software developers can make managers miserable. I was curious as to why she thought that. My conversation with her is detailed below.😂
In this article, we’ll discuss five people skills you should have as you advance in your tech career.
1. Communication
Every job requires good communication skills, and IT careers are no exception. Whether defining project goals and project timelines or simplifying complex technological concepts, tech professionals need to be able to communicate simply and effectively with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders.
Working with a professional who simply cares about getting things done, without having to adequately communicate with other team members, is really frustrating. My friend, however, doesn’t think highly of software engineers.
While many businesses are slowly embracing full-time remote employment, communication skills are becoming one of their non-negotiable requirements.
To communicate effectively, keep the following in mind:
- Even if you’re unsure of yourself, speak clearly and with conviction because others will listen more to what you have to say if you do.
- Listen. The most effective communicators give equal attention to listening and speaking.
- Don’t interrupt someone who is speaking. Allow them to express themselves, and then add your opinions.
2. Time Management
Efficiency and productivity are ensured by effectively planning your workload and scheduling daily tasks. If you don’t take these soft skills into consideration, you could find yourself overwhelmed with tasks, working longer hours, and feeling confused, nervous, and stressed out.
Lack of organization and time management abilities can lead to subpar performance and project deadline slippage.
There are numerous tools that can improve your time management and efficiency. I’ve previously written an article on this subject. You are welcome to read it here.
3. Empathy
Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another. — Alfred Adler
The core of emotional intelligence is empathy. It can help us become more conscious of our own feelings, manage our connections with others, and forge stronger connections.
Empathy for Users
Empathy for users can take many different shapes. When considering the needs and desires of your users, empathy might be useful. Taking on their viewpoint can offer you a completely different outlook.
In a similar vein, accessibility criteria are crucial and call for a lot of sensitivity. Your software should be accessible to all users.
It all boils down to putting yourself in others’ shoes. Actors must have a remarkable capacity for empathy! Imagine yourself as your users and see how you can better serve them.
Empathy for Colleagues
Empathy and teamwork go hand in hand. On a foundation of listening and understanding, without passing judgment, strong relationships can be constructed.
Understanding how your teammates are feeling can make it easier to support one another and develop as a team. Allow your teammates to vent to you, knowing that you are only there to listen and not need to intervene (without judgement).
Empathize with others by taking in and reflecting their emotions. Take into account a teammate receiving a severe warning for a mistake they made. What feelings would you be experiencing if you were the other person?
Empathy is not just for users and coworkers. This is a skill that will be useful while dealing with clients, managers, and many other people.
4. Team Work
One software engineer once told me that he prefers to work alone. Working with other people, he believes, slows down his work delivery.
While working alone is a fantastic idea for many people, collaborating and working in a team has its own set of advantages. Tech occupations are frequently characterized as being suited for introverts or people who want to work individually. Working together facilitates the sharing of knowledge and expertise as well as problem-solving techniques that might not have occurred to an individual when working alone.
One can have fun and become more effective by working as a team. Working in cross-functional teams might occasionally be an option. Since these teams frequently comprise members with diverse organizational positions, cultures and behavioural patterns, being able to communicate successfully with them and understand what they are saying becomes imperative.
5. Adaptability
Platforms and technology are constantly evolving. Few developers who have been in the industry for more than ten years continue to use the same technological stack. To offer new features, innovations, and increased productivity, new platforms, languages, and tools are continually being launched.
In this age, developers must always adapt to new technological developments if they want to maintain their employability.
Technology isn’t the only thing that evolves. Customer wants may alter as well. This might change quickly; for instance, during COVID-19, several developers had to modify their products to fit the demands of the market. Or it can happen very gradually as more users migrate from using their own computer to access your content to using a smartphone or tablet.
In either case, adaptability is crucial to ensure that you can keep providing clients with value as their priorities and usage patterns change.
Are you interested in learning more soft skills? You can order a copy of my book.
Cheers!
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