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Hiring for Soft Skills in Technology
August 16, 2023 | Brian Wallace, HR Strategies NowEstimated reading time: 1 minute
In the age of digital transformations and disruptions, many technology companies continue to amaze us with ever increasing capability and the breakneck speed of development. But beneath the surface, nearly every one of those organizations is made up of teams of employees who are tasked with delivering better results year after year. Technical capability is no longer enough to achieve long-term success. Soft skills are now a key factor in distinguishing high performing organizations from those that struggle, and their effect is far reaching.
In this article, I’ll explore the role of soft skills as they relate to technology-focused positions and investigate strategies for integrating these skills into the hiring process.
Many technology companies create a major challenge for themselves in that they focus so heavily on identifying and honing the technical skills that they lose sight of these soft skills. This can lead to information disconnects, dysfunctional behavior, and broken chemistry within the team. Missed opportunity often follows.
Initiatives that move the needle for an organization don’t happen within a vacuum. They require interdisciplinary teams to work together effectively and efficiently. Soft skills like communication, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and problem solving (among many others) are the capabilities that an individual possesses that enable them to do so. They are central to high team performance and the ability to create raving fans as customers.
At one level or another, technology employees must interact with internal and external clients and stakeholders who may not have technical backgrounds. Soft skills such as empathy, patience, and the ability to explain complex concepts in non-technical terms are crucial in building rapport, managing expectations, and ensuring their satisfaction.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the July 2023 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
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