In an industry driven by tools, data and innovation, it’s easy to focus solely on sharpening technical skills but there’s one competitive edge that’s often overlooked: soft skills.
In an industry driven by tools, data and innovation, it’s easy to focus solely on sharpening technical skills but there’s one competitive edge that’s often overlooked: Your ability to communicate, lead and collaborate is more than just a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s a critical driver of innovation, team success, and long-term growth. This is especially true in male-dominated spaces like the tech industry, where human-centric skills are often undervalued.
As AI’s role grows and it takes on more technical work, the human qualities it can’t replicate, like empathy, emotional intelligence and communication, are becoming increasingly important. Women have long brought these strengths to the table yet have been unfairly judged or overlooked because of them. Now, those same skills are exactly what’s setting great leaders apart. By leaning into these strengths, women in tech are not only advancing, they’re actively redefining what leadership and success look like in the industry.
Why soft skills?
It’s no secret that we’re in a fast-moving industry. The tools, equipment and language we use will continue to update and change as we update to new processes and innovation, but soft skills, they’re not going anywhere. They’re what help people navigate and thrive through this change, whether that’s communicating clearly to your team or simply being able to think critically and collaborate during projects.
In my experience, women who couple their industry expertise with strong soft skills often have a huge positive impact in their roles, especially in ones that require stakeholder management and strategic thinking.
Soft skills in action:
As more women enter leadership roles in tech, they’re helping shift traditional views of what effective leadership looks like, away from rigid hierarchies and towards more inclusive, empathetic and collaborative models.
A common misconception is that soft skills are just about being “good with people”, and while this is a factor, they show up in all sorts of ways.
- Building trust within a team – this is especially important in remote or hybrid teams
- Showing the value of an idea or strategy to a non-technical stakeholder
- Leading with empathy, especially when things don’t go to plan
- Taking feedback (& delivering feedback to your team in managerial roles)
These are skills that are likely not listed in the job description, but they’re ones that will indirectly contribute to your success in the workplace. Hiring managers will often look out for these during the interview process with scenario-based and experience-driven questions designed to get a sense of how you’ve applied and developed these skills in the past.
Building your soft skillset:
The good news? Soft skills aren’t something you just have or don’t. You can build and improve them with a bit of practice.
- Regularly ask for feedback: Regularly ask your tutor, mentor or line manager for feedback, and then take it on board. Feedback is the best way to improve your current skillset and spot any areas that you may need extra work.
- Join networking events: Talking to strangers can be intimidating, but it’s a great way to build confidence and communication skills. This won’t just help you build your soft skills; it’s also a great way to get your name in the industry and build a support network.
- Volunteer for group projects: Working in a team helps you learn how to navigate different working styles and solve problems together. Regardless of the role that you’re looking to move into, increasing the number of group projects you’re part of is a great way to improve your collaboration skills.
No experience? No problem. Lead with your soft skills
If you’re applying for your first job after university or college, don’t worry if your CV isn’t packed with tonnes of industry specific experience. Your part-time job, volunteering experience or even university group assignments are great examples of occasions where you would’ve used soft skills.
In a field where technology evolves faster than ever, soft skills are your constant superpower. They help you connect, lead, and stand out. So don’t downplay them, own them.
