Soft Skills Of The IT Future — What Will Set You Apart?

In today's fast-paced and highly competitive tech industry, having strong technical skills alone is no longer enough to succeed. As technology advances, the need for software engineers who can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape is becoming increasingly important. While tech expertise is essential, soft skills are often overlooked in the IT world, but it’s exactly them that can truly set you apart from other engineers and help you attain greater career goals and results. My name is Andrey Maksimchenko, I’m an Engineering Manager, Lead Web / Smart TV Developer, and professional IT Mentor with around 10 years of versatile technical experience. Throughout my entire career, I’ve elaborated on my own methods of software development, code audit, interviewing & hiring, time & task management, people management, mentorship, and more My name is Andrey Maksimchenko, I’m an Engineering Manager, Lead Web / Smart TV Developer, and professional IT Mentor with around 10 years of versatile technical experience. Throughout my entire career, I’ve elaborated on my own methods of software development, code audit, interviewing & hiring, time & task management, people management, mentorship, and more Andrey Maksimchenko Andrey Maksimchenko Engineering Manager, Lead Web / Smart TV Developer, professional IT Mentor 10 years technical experience my own methods of software development code audit interviewing & hiring, time & task management people management mentorship, And today I’m going to share my TOP-5 Soft Skills which will utterly stand you out from others in the market today and in the future whatever level you are. As a testament to how the Power of Soft Skills helped me achieve extraordinary results in the world of IT, you may learn more in My Profile or on LinkedIn. And I really hope my tips below will help you too! Let’s get to the point! TOP-5 Soft Skills Power of Soft Skills My Profile My Profile on LinkedIn on LinkedIn 🎙️ Communication First and foremost. Profitable businesses won’t pay a cent if the engineers can not clearly express their thoughts to clients, stakeholders, team members, or anybody else they work with due to the potential risks of costly misunderstandings, delays, and mistakes in project delivery. First and foremost. You can be a Guru Software Engineer, but if you’re not capable of negotiating properly, you won’t be in demand in the job market You can be a Guru Software Engineer, but if you’re not capable of negotiating properly, you won’t be in demand in the job market I’ve seen so many times how skillful engineers fail the project, get dismissed from the company, or ruin the relationship with the client just because they were not good negotiators. In most cases, IT businesses will give a chance to a less experienced engineer who can more effectively communicate, understand customers’ needs and concerns, and can build solutions that better meet their expectations. give a chance to a less experienced engineer more effectively communicate understand customers’ needs concerns build solutions that better meet their expectations 🚀 Here’s an example: Here’s an example: Let’s say you observe a client is wrong about something. Don’t rush in a hurry to say he’s talking nonsense or likewise. No one likes that. Instead, try to SUGGEST some alternative solutions reinforcing them with good recognized practices, links, guidelines, screenshots, or apps that have already utilized your solution. Which of these two statements below you would appreciate seeing as a client? SUGGEST alternative solutions practices links guidelines screenshots apps Which of these two statements below you would appreciate seeing as a client? You’re not right. It’s complex to implement. You’re not right. It’s complex to implement. OR I’m just thinking - what if slightly improve that solution to look something like this to follow the best development practices: Option_1 Option_2 Option_3 It will give us the following benefits: Benefit_1 Benefit_2 Benefit_3 Otherwise, in the future we may stumble into: Problem_1 Problem_2 Problem_3 On top of that popular companies like Google, Facebook and Uber (or alike) have already used these options in their apps - see the screenshots attached.What do you think about these ideas? I’m just thinking - what if slightly improve that solution to look something like this to follow the best development practices: Option_1 Option_2 Option_3 Option_1 Option_1 Option_2 Option_2 Option_3 Option_3 It will give us the following benefits: Benefit_1 Benefit_2 Benefit_3 Benefit_1 Benefit_1 Benefit_2 Benefit_2 Benefit_3 Benefit_3 Otherwise, in the future we may stumble into: Problem_1 Problem_2 Problem_3 Problem_1 Problem_1 Problem_2 Problem_2 Problem_3 Problem_3 On top of that popular companies like Google, Facebook and Uber (or alike) have already used these options in their apps - see the screenshots attached. Google Facebook Uber What do you think about these ideas? Do you feel the difference? Believe me or not, but in the lion’s share of all cases, customers will listen to your recommendations and be inclined to move forward with one of your alternative ideas. 💡 Remember: Whatever unique technical skill you have, if you’re not able to negotiate and sell your expertise - you will eventually fail or keep treading water 💡 Remember: Whatever unique technical skill you have, if you’re not able to negotiate and sell your expertise - you will eventually fail or keep treading water Remember 💡 Creativity As automation and artificial intelligence become more prevalent in the software engineering industry, employers will be looking for individuals who possess a unique set of skills that go beyond technical expertise. And the ability to think critically and outside the box as well as to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems from different angles will be highly valued in the future. automation artificial intelligence prevalent employers will be looking for individuals who possess a unique set of skills that go beyond technical expertise think critically outside the box come up with innovative solutions 🚀 Let’s check out an example: Let’s check out an example: Let's say you’re a Web Developer and you are tasked with building a new e-commerce platform for a non-technical client. Your team has been given a set of requirements, including a list of fundamental features that the platform must have. Demonstrate your creativity skills. Try to brainstorm some innovative features or improvements that weren't included in the initial specification and suggest them to the client. It can be anything that you feel may bear fruits to the platform, increase client’s sails, attract more users, and drive more revenue, for instance: you’re a Web Developer new e-commerce platform non-technical client given a set of requirements brainstorm some innovative features improvements Incorporate blockchain for secure transactions; Introduce a VR try-on feature for clothing or makeup products; Develop a chatbot with OpenAI to improve customer service; Enable payments of the products via cryptocurrency; Add a social media integration to allow customers to share their purchases with friends; etc… Incorporate blockchain for secure transactions; Introduce a VR try-on feature for clothing or makeup products; Develop a chatbot with OpenAI to improve customer service; Enable payments of the products via cryptocurrency; Add a social media integration to allow customers to share their purchases with friends; etc… Incorporate blockchain for secure transactions; Introduce a VR try-on feature for clothing or makeup products; Develop a chatbot with OpenAI to improve customer service; Enable payments of the products via cryptocurrency; Add a social media integration to allow customers to share their purchases with friends; etc… 💡 Think out of the box and go beyond the client’s expectations and requirements 💡 Think out of the box and go beyond the client’s expectations and requirements By bringing such ideas to the table, you’ll add value to the project by enhancing its functionality and user experience. This, in turn, will lead to increased customer satisfaction, better engagement, and ultimately, higher profits for the IT business. And as a result, you may get paid more. add value to the project lead to increased customer satisfaction better engagement higher profits ⏰ Time Management Being able to be organized, complete tasks on time and within budget is an essential skill. It can be a significant competitive advantage for you in the future if you learn how to manage your time effectively to meet deadlines and deliver quality work. This includes the ability to prioritize tasks, manage distractions, and work efficiently. be organized complete tasks on time within budget essential skill significant competitive advantage the ability to prioritize tasks, manage distractions, and work efficiently An engineer with exceptional time management (TM) skills can address tasks on time and ensure that any issues that arise are dealt with promptly. This sort of engineer is invaluable to any business. Moreover, excellent TM skills can also help you maintain a healthy work-life balance. You can reduce stress levels and increase your productivity and trust in your managers and clients. This can lead to a more enjoyable and happier work experience, drive more motivation, and potentially higher job compensation. time management (TM) address tasks on time any issues are dealt with promptly TM skills maintain a healthy work-life balance reduce stress levels increase your productivity trust in your managers and clients. lead to a more enjoyable happier work experience drive more motivation higher job compensation 💡 Effective time management is a critical skill that will allow you to accurately prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work while minimizing stress and burnout 💡 Effective time management is a critical skill that will allow you to accurately prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work while minimizing stress and burnout To ultimately hone in on this skill and learn a multitude of practical examples I’ve even created a separate story for you - 🚀 Boost Your Productivity as a Software Engineer 🚀. Feel free to drop me a line in case you have any questions and I’ll be glad to help you tackle them down! examples 🚀 Boost Your Productivity as a Software Engineer 🚀. 🚀 Boost Your Productivity as a Software Engineer 🚀 🧠 Self-Autonomy The next skill we’re going to embrace is Self-Autonomy. This skill refers to the ability to work independently without constant supervision or direction. It becomes indispensable and invaluable in the IT industry because of the increasing complexity of software, the diverse number of consistently emerging new tools and technologies, and so forth. Self-Autonomy. ability to work independently without constant supervision or direction indispensable invaluable increasing complexity of software the diverse number of consistently emerging new tools and technologies Self-Autonomy allows you as a Software Engineer to take ownership of your work and responsibilities, work independently, make decisions on your own, and take actions without persistent guidance or seeking approvals from your leaders. It has already been and will be highly valued by employers, as it enables more efficient use of time and resources, and leads to boosted productivity and faster project delivery. Self-Autonomy take ownership of your work responsibilities work independently, make decisions on your own take actions without persistent guidance or seeking approvals from your leaders. more efficient use of time and resources, leads to boosted productivity leads to boosted productivity faster project delivery 💡 Businesses will love to see your self-autonomy rather than your excuses that the work hasn’t been finished on time because of someone’s unavailability 💡 Businesses will love to see your self-autonomy rather than your excuses that the work hasn’t been finished on time because of someone’s unavailability 🚀 Time to learn an example: 🚀 Time to learn an example: Imagine a Software Developer, John, who is working on a new mobile app for a client. John is highly skilled in coding and understands the project requirements. However, he struggles with self-autonomy and is not confident in making decisions on his own. The client requests a change in the app's design. John seconds that it’s a straightforward fix. The task is urgent and important as the client wants to demo this change to investors soon. But the team leader and the client become unavailable at that moment, and the rest of the team is working on other tasks. John comes to realize that the task is not as easy as ABC and incites a significant update to the codebase. John has no idea what to do. He gets stuck, starts treading the water in hesitation to make mistakes, and sends a ton of repetitive emails to the client and his team leader, but no one responds. Consequently, John wastes too much time contemplating, fails the delivery, and unhappy investors turn down a potential proposal. However, if John had self-autonomy skills, he could take responsibility for the situation, re-prioritize the tasks on his plate based on consequences, dive deeper into the client's request, even converse with his colleagues or resource manager, and come up with a solution that would fit the project's scope and timeline. Imagine a Software Developer, John, who is working on a new mobile app for a client. John is highly skilled in coding and understands the project requirements. However, he struggles with self-autonomy and is not confident in making decisions on his own. Software Developer, John mobile app highly skilled in coding project requirements not confident in making decisions on his own The client requests a change in the app's design. John seconds that it’s a straightforward fix. The task is urgent and important as the client wants to demo this change to investors soon. But the team leader and the client become unavailable at that moment, and the rest of the team is working on other tasks. it’s a straightforward fix urgent and important team leader and the client become unavailable John comes to realize that the task is not as easy as ABC and incites a significant update to the codebase. John has no idea what to do. He gets stuck, starts treading the water in hesitation to make mistakes, and sends a ton of repetitive emails to the client and his team leader, but no one responds. task is not as easy as ABC significant update to the codebase. no idea what to do stuck make mistakes a ton of repetitive emails no one responds. Consequently, John wastes too much time contemplating, fails the delivery, and unhappy investors turn down a potential proposal. wastes too much time contemplating fails delivery investors turn down proposal However, if John had self-autonomy skills, he could take responsibility for the situation, re-prioritize the tasks on his plate based on consequences, dive deeper into the client's request, even converse with his colleagues or resource manager, and come up with a solution that would fit the project's scope and timeline. take responsibility re-prioritize the tasks dive deeper into the client's request converse colleagues resource manager come up with a solution fit the project's scope and timeline 💡 Self-organize yourself. Cut out a tendency to rely too heavily on others for direction to budge, stop consistently finding the answers to all your questions from your managers, and don’t hold off your work if your leaders are unavailable 💡 Self-organize yourself. Cut out a tendency to rely too heavily on others for direction to budge, stop consistently finding the answers to all your questions from your managers, and don’t hold off your work if your leaders are unavailable Don’t let mistakes intimidate you. Don’t wait for the grass to grow, take responsibility and make your own decisions as if you were your client, your manager, your stakeholder, or whoever else. And ultimately you’ll be in high demand in the market. Don’t let mistakes intimidate Don’t wait for the grass to grow, take responsibility make own decisions 🧩 T-Shape Another highly valued soft skill in the future for software engineers is going to be a T-Shape skill. The IT world changes at an extremely rapid pace, a ton of new technologies emerge every day, and businesses become more agile and focus on delivering products quickly to outstand competitors and corner the market. In such a hurry, you must be able to instantly learn and tailor new skills, methodologies, programming languages, tools, and frameworks. T-Shape skill. Today IT businesses are getting more interested in hiring engineers who have cross-functional skills over developers with a specific framework knowledge because they can contribute to different aspects of a project beyond their technical expertise. And this is where T-Shape skills come into play and start taking on a substantial role in the IT industry. interested in hiring engineers cross-functional skills developers specific framework knowledge The “T-Shape” term was first introduced by McKinsey & Company to describe their ideal employees, who possess a wide range of knowledge and skills while also being experts in one or more areas. The “T-Shape” term was first introduced by McKinsey & Company to describe their ideal employees, who possess a wide range of knowledge and skills while also being experts in one or more areas. McKinsey & Company McKinsey & Company If you as a Software Engineer exhibit these skills, you will be indispensable to IT businesses in the market because of your high adaptability, flexibility, collaboration, and broad tech & non-tech knowledge. It will ultimately lead to higher client satisfaction, faster delivery, and drive more revenue. lead to higher client satisfaction, faster delivery, and drive more revenue 🚀 And this is how it works: And this is how it works: Let’s stipulate there are 3 team members on the project: 1 Backend, and 2 Frontend including you. You’ve got a shallow UI/UX design in Figma and a brief project spec. There are no Team Leaders, Project Managers, or QAs here. The client is a non-technical person and has no clue how to manage the project, but feels like something is going wrong. 3 team members 1 Backend, 2 Frontend you shallow UI/UX design brief project spec no Team Leaders, Project Managers, QAs client is a non-technical no clue how to manage the project something is going wrong. If you keep on doing your development work as it is on a daily basis, you will be yet another regular developer and you’ll be fairly easy to be replaced. What could stand you out and define you as a T-Shape Engineer here? Whatever goes beyond your current responsibilities: you will be yet another regular developer easy to be replaced. What could stand you out and define you as a T-Shape Engineer here? Take the initiative and leadership indirectly, and start being informally responsible for your team; Regulate technical processes, set coding guidelines, cross-code reviews, etc; Kick-off conducting project demos of the work your team accomplished for the client; Recurrently brainstorm ideas and suggest project improvements to attract more users; Get a grasp of the business goals and pinpoint potential opportunities to upsell for your company and grow your team; Provide feedback on the UI/UX design; Having prior QA knowledge or experience, validate the features and bug fixes and put together reports to enhance the quality; Having prior Backend knowledge or experience, help your single Backend Developer to brainstorm solutions on the server side and tackle ensuing obstacles; and so on… Take the initiative and leadership indirectly, and start being informally responsible for your team; Regulate technical processes, set coding guidelines, cross-code reviews, etc; Kick-off conducting project demos of the work your team accomplished for the client; Recurrently brainstorm ideas and suggest project improvements to attract more users; Get a grasp of the business goals and pinpoint potential opportunities to upsell for your company and grow your team; Provide feedback on the UI/UX design; Having prior QA knowledge or experience, validate the features and bug fixes and put together reports to enhance the quality; Having prior Backend knowledge or experience, help your single Backend Developer to brainstorm solutions on the server side and tackle ensuing obstacles; and so on… Take the initiative and leadership indirectly, and start being informally responsible for your team; Regulate technical processes, set coding guidelines, cross-code reviews, etc; Kick-off conducting project demos of the work your team accomplished for the client; Recurrently brainstorm ideas and suggest project improvements to attract more users; Get a grasp of the business goals and pinpoint potential opportunities to upsell for your company and grow your team; Provide feedback on the UI/UX design; Having prior QA knowledge or experience, validate the features and bug fixes and put together reports to enhance the quality; Having prior Backend knowledge or experience, help your single Backend Developer to brainstorm solutions on the server side and tackle ensuing obstacles; and so on… Apart from that, by taking on these extra responsibilities, you will increase the client’s trust and satisfaction, position yourself as a valuable team member and raise your chances of being recognized for your contributions. In the long run, this will lead to accelerated career growth, higher position titles, new opportunities, and augmented salary compensation. increase the client’s trust and satisfaction position yourself as a valuable team member raise your chances of being recognized for your contributions lead to accelerated career growt higher position titles, new opportunities augmented salary compensation. 💡 Develop your T-Shape skills to become a versatile problem-solver and invaluable contributor to your teams, clients, and the industry as a whole 💡 Develop your T-Shape skills to become a versatile problem-solver and invaluable contributor to your teams, clients, and the industry as a whole Conclusion The Informational Technology industry continuously raises the demand for engineers who have more than just specific technical expertise. 🎙️ Communication,💡 Creativity, ⏰ Time Management, 🧠 Self-Autonomy, and 🧩 T-Shape Skills are becoming increasingly paramount to succeed in a professional career. Communication Creativity Time Management, 🧠 Self-Autonomy, T-Shape Skills Together, these skills will let you get ahead in life and thrive in today's fast-paced and ever-changing work environment. You will not only be able to excel in your current roles but also prepare yourself to adapt to future challenges and opportunities. It will set you apart from others and help you achieve greater success in your career. these skills will let you get ahead in life thrive excel in your current roles prepare yourself to adapt to future challenges opportunities set you apart from others help you achieve greater success in your career. I wish you good luck in your future career path! Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know by email - andrew.maksimchenko@gmail.com. I’m always willing to help you! good luck in your future career path let me know by email andrew.maksimchenko@gmail.com andrew.maksimchenko@gmail.com My other articles you may be interested in: 🚀 Boost Your Productivity As A Software Engineer 🚀 📥 Boost Your App's Intelligence: Leveraging OpenAI and JS File API 🚀 Boost Your Productivity As A Software Engineer 🚀 🚀 Boost Your Productivity As A Software Engineer 🚀 🚀 Boost Your Productivity As A Software Engineer 🚀 📥 Boost Your App's Intelligence: Leveraging OpenAI and JS File API 📥 Boost Your App's Intelligence: Leveraging OpenAI and JS File API Boost Your App's Intelligence: Leveraging OpenAI and JS File API