How to Develop the Soft Skills Your IT Team Needs to Succeed

Image of professionals discussing IT Soft Skills

As the world of business grows more encompassed by technological infrastructure, one can easily argue that distinctly human traits will become the biggest talent differentiators. Those IT professionals who are not only technically skilled, but also standout communicators with strong interpersonal skills, will be indispensable.

While it’s highly important to develop strong IT skills and keep pace with change, it’s equally important to ensure your IT team is growing the skills needed for successful collaboration and teamwork.

Developing the soft skills your IT team needs

The integration of technology into all aspects of business requires IT professionals to go beyond technical expertise and develop strong soft skills.

"89% of L&D pros agree that proactively building employee skills will help navigate the evolving future of work"

- Workplace Learning Report 2023

What are soft skills?

Soft skills refer to personal attributes, traits, and abilities that help individuals interact effectively and productively with others in professional and social settings.

While technical or hard skills are specific to a particular job or field, soft skills are transferable and applicable across different roles and industries.

Examples of soft skills applicable to IT include:

Why soft skills matter in tech

Technology professionals often work as a bridge between technical and non-technical teams. Clear and effective communication is crucial to convey complex technical concepts to stakeholders who may have limited technical knowledge.

Meanwhile, soft skills such as adaptability, curiosity, and a growth mindset are essential to organizations that wish to embrace change, learn new technologies, and stay ahead of the curve. IT professionals who are adaptable and continuously seek knowledge are better positioned to drive innovation.

"Time and time again, we hear senior leaders in organizations say they hire and promote based on emotional intelligence rather than particular skills or IQ. And there's a very good reason for this. Research shows emotional intelligence to be the key factor that sets high-performing individuals and high achievers aside from the rest of the crowd."

- Dr. Gemma Roberts, Developing Your Emotional Intelligence

How to develop soft skills for IT talent

LinkedIn Learning offers a variety of courses focusing on soft skills that can help IT professionals make a bigger impact and grow their careers. Explore IT soft skills categories below to find examples.