Beyond Coding: The Unexpected Soft Skills You Need to Succeed in Tech

In the fast-paced world of technology, coding expertise alone won't guarantee success. Industry leaders consistently emphasize that soft skills are equally, if not more, crucial for a thriving tech career. Let's explore the essential non-technical skills that tech professionals need, according to insights from experienced leaders in the field.

Communication: The Universal Skill

Communication emerges as a fundamental skill across all tech roles. As Shadi, Head of Product at Postal, explains, "Actually being able to communicate the why and to bring the folks you work with along for that ride so that you build conviction" allows tech teams to deliver higher-quality products and services on faster timelines. This ability to articulate ideas clearly and build consensus is crucial for project success.

Tiffany, a Senior Solution Engineer at Salesforce, reinforces this point: "From a soft skills perspective, what's really important is great communication skills. I am always talking all day every day both internally and externally."

Empathy and Customer Understanding

Understanding user needs and demonstrating empathy has become increasingly vital in tech roles. Haley, an Accessibility Specialist at Salesforce, emphasizes this: "Empathy is really important because whenever you're designing learning content or creating a learning ecosystem, you need to have a learner-first perspective, which means you need to be able to put yourself in the shoes of the person who's learning."

Adaptability and Resilience

The tech industry's rapid evolution demands adaptability. Lauren, Head of Employer Brand + Belonging at Qualtrics, notes: "In tech, you have to be able to thrive in ambiguity, and just roll with the punches, and be flexible and adaptable, and be nimble, and be ready to pivot."

Shadi adds insight about resilience: "Product folks need to be resilient in order to continue to push, no matter what the outcome is, each time that they're releasing." This resilience becomes particularly important when facing setbacks or negative feedback.

Collaboration and Relationship Building

Success in tech often depends on effective collaboration across teams. Deb, Chief Marketing Officer at Lookout, emphasizes that "the skills that are probably required the most for any executive are all the leadership skills and soft skills, and they're so often overlooked. It's grit, it's resilience, it's curiosity... It's people skills, listening, communication, collaboration."

Sasha, a Senior Content Program Manager, highlights the importance of stakeholder management: "You still have to be able to see the big picture and to toggle between the day-to-day work and all the little nitty-gritty work streams [that] feed into larger initiatives."

Continuous Learning and Curiosity

The most successful tech professionals maintain a constant desire to learn. Gideon, Global Brand Marketing Manager at Snap Inc., shares: "People that really thrive in my industry are ones that are not afraid to take a stance on something that they believe in, but at the same time, they're also really adaptable and able to pivot."

Building Your Soft Skills

While technical skills might get you in the door, soft skills will help you advance and thrive in your tech career. Kelly, CTO at Scholarly, emphasizes that "customer empathy is probably the most important, which might be a little not obvious coming from the technical side."

These insights from industry leaders make it clear: success in tech requires a balanced combination of technical expertise and well-developed soft skills. As you progress in your career, actively working on these interpersonal abilities will be just as important as updating your technical knowledge.

Remember, these skills can be developed through practice, feedback, and conscious effort. Whether you're just starting your tech career or looking to advance, investing in your soft skills will pay dividends in your professional growth and success.

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Wishing you success,

Emily McSherry

Founder & CEO