Technical skills are great, but soft skills matter more than you think. Even if you know all about Kubernetes and DevOps, it can be hard to get a job (or keep it) if you don’t mesh with people, no matter how tech-savvy you are. Soft skills are essential if you want propel your career further
What Are Soft Skills?
Soft skills—also known as “people skills” or “interpersonal skills”—are a set of personal attributes and abilities that allow individuals to effectively interact with others in a professional setting. At their core, these include the ability to collaborate effectively, manage time and communicate with clarity, among others.
Soft skills are difficult to measure or quantify; however, they are essential for success in a wide range of industries and professions. Whether you are working with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds or communicating with customers and clients around the world—the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and build strong relationships is the key to success.
Here are some of the soft skills that every tech professional should develop
Creativity
Creativity involves the ability to think outside the box and come up with ideas that challenge assumptions. Needless to say, it requires a mindset of curiosity, risk-taking and a willingness to embrace ambiguity and uncertainty.
On another front, creativity is essential for effective problem-solving, meaning it allows individuals to tackle issues from new and different angles. Creative individuals also give organizations a competitive edge by enabling them to develop new products and systems that set them apart from their competition.
No matter your field, someone who can creatively think of ways to solve problems or improve processes is a gem. If you find yourself just sticking to routine and not offering solutions in meetings, perhaps take some time to identify places for improvement and work on out of the box thinking.
Time management
Time management involves the ability to set priorities, organize tasks and allot time across different activities. It requires discipline and a willingness to avoid distractions and low-priority tasks.
Naturally, good time management skills can help individuals avoid the stress and anxiety that can arise from missed deadlines. But more importantly, those who can manage their time effectively are more likely to be seen as reliable and efficient, which allows them to stand out in the workplace.
Adaptability
In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, adaptability is a key soft skill that enables individuals to stay ahead of the curve. An employee with this skill can adjust to changing circumstances, for example, and learn new skills and technologies to remain relevant in the workplace.
Because it’s impossible to avoid unexpected challenges, having adaptable employees allows organizations to bounce back from setbacks much faster. Plus, they can also read situations quickly and adjust their approach to adapt based on the situation.
Critical thinking
Critical thinking enables individuals to approach problems and challenges with a strategic and analytical mindset. When making informed decisions, this skill allows you to weigh available options and consider potential outcomes.
A critical thinker can evaluate the strength of arguments and identify flaws in reasoning. They consider multiple perspectives, which makes them more likely to pinpoint the short-term and long-term consequences of their decisions. Additionally, they can also identify the root cause of a problem and generate multiple solutions.
Continuous Learning
Employers notice life-long learners because they’re always bringing something new to the table. It could be knowledge about a new product or service, the latest language or technique, or industry advice they’ve picked up. They know these sorts of learners are like fine wine: they’re getting better all the time.
Those who have been in the technology industry the longest and have the most experience are the least confident about being able to do their job or similar in three years. Part of this is the ever-shifting landscape of technology, which is why continuous learning is integral to success, especially for developers.