Hey there! Today, I’d like to share my perspective on soft skills in the programmer’s world.

You probably already have an idea of what I want to convey, right? Soft skills are crucial in my work and yours, aiding us in tasks related to coding and beyond. In a moment, I’ll provide some real examples where soft skills are necessary. But first, let me explain what “soft skills” mean to me.

In a nutshell, they enable peaceful communication among people. I’m talking about speech, writing, mood, charisma, behavior – all of which show how you interact with others. I’d go a step further and say that soft skills make a person somewhat more empathetic, willing to assist others with their work-related issues (or maybe even more).

I believe these skills are beneficial for all working individuals. However, from a developer’s perspective, I can see it from two angles:

While coding, soft skills allow you to:

• Easily ask for help: This significantly impacts the time it takes for you to deliver functionalities because you don’t get stuck.
• Assist others with code: You can help others without getting frustrated with constant questions, realizing that you might need help in the future.
• Solve complex problems without excessive frustration.

Outside coding, soft skills enable you to:

• Communicate with others during non-programming tasks, such as project discussions before the coding begins.
• Create a pleasant atmosphere: This is crucial for me. I love working in a cohesive team where I can rely on everyone. Having soft skills allows me to create a friendlier atmosphere, which directly affects the team’s overall performance.
• Understand others.

As you can see, these examples emphasize the vital role soft skills play in a team, a company, or any place you find yourself.

I feel that if you’re a developer, this is especially important. I also know that if you hold a ‘higher’ position (like a manager or leader), this is undoubtedly a key aspect of your development journey that needs a lot of focus. Why?

Because how you communicate with people likely affects your team’s/company’s morale. If done right, you can probably have a fantastic, cohesive team that isn’t afraid to assist you in tough times, standing by you in both good and bad times. They won’t shy away from sharing problems because they know they can count on you. As someone leading people, you should demonstrate immense empathy and understanding.

If you imagine yourself leading in a nervous and aggressive work environment (yelling at coworkers, being resentful), I am convinced that soon your team/colleagues will quit working with you. It’s a one-way street that leads nowhere. Venting on people, whether at work or in private life, is never good. If you think it yields results, you’re mistaken. The only result it produces is fear, which leads to poorer outcomes, hiding the real situation, and problems.

I follow a principle: I behave and communicate the way I’d like others to treat me.

How to learn soft skills:

• Observe how others do it.
• Seek help from professionals (e.g., psychologists).
• Read books that enhance your professional and mental growth.
• Simply strive to be a better version of yourself than the day before. 😉