Demand for highly skilled, technical knowledge among the tech community will always remain high. Understanding most in demand technical skills is important, but so too is developing your own soft skills.

Businesses are continuously challenged to keep up with the changing pace of technology meaning a greater demand for specialist tech talent than ever before.

Increasingly, companies are prioritising soft skills more than pure technical ability when looking for their next hire. Indeed, soft skills regularly feature among the required skills on job postings for many of the most technical jobs.

What are Soft Skills?

Before we look at the 4 soft skills all tech professionals should have, it’s worth quickly talking about what exactly soft skills are.

Soft skills are the non-technical skills that relate to how you work, solve problems and manage your workload and time. Nearly every job requires you to engage with others in some way and soft skills include the ability to listen and communicate with colleagues and empathise with them.

Essentially, soft skills can be termed as transferrable and professional skills which are personality-driven and less rooted in technical training or vocation.

Soft Skills for Tech Professionals

When it comes to tech professionals, having a firm grip on the following soft skills alongside the technical skills will serve you well throughout your career. Here are the 4 soft skills all tech professionals should have.

Communication

In most companies, tech professionals work alongside non-technical colleagues at all levels in the business. As such, being able to clearly explain the technical workings and complexities to others in the business is essential.

Using language and terminology that can be understood by those working in different departments is an important trait for tech professionals. In all companies, employees who are able to communicate the technical well to colleagues with a lesser understanding are highly valued.  

Flexibility

Accept what’s needed and be open to and embrace change. Understanding that things aren’t always perfect and that you might have to shift technology stack, architecture or software to different specifications is crucial.

It’s important to accept that changes happen throughout the development process. Equally, it’s important to see change not as a burden but as an opportunity to grow and develop.

Creativity

Our ability to create, imagine and invent can’t be rivalled. While large aspects of the job are covered by procedures, and tools, creativity allows you to solve problems and create new solutions.

New technology is flooding the workplace all the time. The way we work in the future will require new ways of thinking and new ways to complete tasks. Having a creative mindset and being open to creative ideas is therefore an important asset to have.

Emotional Intelligence

Those that are aware and in control of their emotions, and are aware of the emotions of others, are in greatest demand in the workplace.

Although you might be focusing on your own code, it’s true you do not work inside a bubble. You need to listen to and work alongside your colleagues, empathise with them and value their input.

Connecting with co-workers and being aware of their emotions allows for more effective collaboration across the team, department and business.

Don’t Ignore the Importance of Soft Skills

Everyone can become well-versed in soft skills. By training and developing them over time it has shown to boost productivity, efficiency and support decision making.

All soft skills are future-proof and their importance cannot be overlooked. As such, developing your soft skills will see you add value and help you progress in your career.

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