After spending considerable time in software engineering industry, I've come to realise that technical skills alone are not enough for success in this field. "Soft skills" such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving are essential for navigating the non-technical aspects of the job.
As an Engineering Manager, it is important to understand the key "soft skills" that software engineers need to develop in order to succeed and to provide guidance and support for skill development.
Communication and Collaboration 🗣️ :
- Communicating with non-technical stakeholders.
- Building partnerships with other teams and departments.
- Improving public speaking and presentation skills.
- Developing negotiation and collaboration skills.
- Communicating with remote teams
Leadership and Management ⚖️ :
- Building and leading teams, including setting goals and providing feedback and guidance.
- Managing and mentoring junior team members.
- Improving time management and productivity.
- Understanding and implementing project management methodologies.
- Developing leadership skills and decision-making abilities.
- Understanding and implementing performance management strategies.
- Adapting to a new role or company culture.
- Effective delegation skills
- Understanding and implementing change and conflict management strategies.
- Prioritising and managing competing demands and deadlines.
- Improving skills in agile methodologies like Scrum, Kanban, XP, etc.
Personal and Professional Development ™️ :
- Building a personal brand and networking effectively.
- Developing effective problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Understanding and managing personal biases.
- Developing emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
By providing guidance on these matters, you'll be helping your team members to improve not only their technical skills, but also to become more effective leaders, communicators, and collaborators.