The Rising Demand for Soft Skills in Engineering | LinkedIn’s VPE Aarathi Vidyasagar
Sep 10, 2024
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Aarathi Vidyasagar, VP of Engineering at LinkedIn, shares insights on how strong soft skills are becoming essential for engineers in today's tech landscape. She highlights a LinkedIn study showing engineers with these skills are promoted 13% faster. Aarathi discusses the importance of communication, empathy, and leadership in a world increasingly influenced by AI. She also emphasizes the need for continuous learning and prepares engineering teams to thrive by balancing technical abilities with vital interpersonal skills for collaboration and innovation.
Soft skills like communication and leadership are crucial for engineers, enabling faster promotions and career advancement in an AI-driven job market.
The shifting balance between generalists and specialists in engineering highlights the need for flexible, adaptable teams to navigate ongoing technological changes.
Deep dives
The Rising Importance of Soft Skills
Communication and leadership skills have become increasingly essential for engineers, particularly in the context of advancements in generative AI. As AI takes over routine tasks, engineers are required to differentiate themselves through abilities that machines cannot easily replicate, such as effective communication and teamwork. Research has shown that engineers who possess strong soft skills are promoted at a faster rate than those reliant solely on technical skills. This emphasizes the notion that soft skills are not merely beneficial but increasingly necessary for career advancement in the evolving job market.
Adapting to New Industry Dynamics
The engineering landscape is undergoing rapid transformations, with an estimated 68% of job skills expected to evolve in the coming years due to technological advancements. As roles shift from purely technical to more integrated demands that include AI and data science knowledge, engineers must focus on continuous upskilling to keep pace with these changes. Embracing a dynamic approach to personal development allows engineers to remain relevant and effective in their roles, while organizations must foster a culture that prioritizes learning and adaptation. This proactive stance on skills development is vital for navigating the new landscape of work.
The Intersection of Generalists and Specialists
The balance between generalists and specialists within engineering teams is changing, with a growing demand for a blend of both skill sets. Generalists are becoming crucial as they navigate various technologies and platforms, while specialists are still necessary to dive deep into complex areas such as AI. As the landscape continues to evolve, organizations need to rethink team compositions and emphasize the importance of flexibility and adaptability in their workforce. This recognition of diverse skill needs is essential for building responsive engineering teams capable of managing rapid technological shifts.
Facilitating Learning in a Fast-Paced Environment
Organizations play a crucial role in facilitating the continuous learning of their employees, especially in high-pressure environments where the pace of change can be daunting. Leaders are tasked not only with encouraging skill development but also with creating a culture that values and supports learning opportunities. By providing targeted resources such as bite-sized learning modules and fostering an environment of curiosity, organizations can empower their engineers to advance their skills without overwhelming them. This intentional focus on learning will cultivate a more engaged and motivated workforce capable of thriving amid industry disruptions.
According to a LinkedIn study, engineers with strong soft skills are promoted 13% faster than those with only technical skills. Given how AI will continue to reshape market demands for developers and engineering leaders, how can you adapt to these changes and further your career?
This week we’re joined by Aarathi Vidyasagar, VP of Engineering at LinkedIn, to explore the growing importance of soft skills and how leadership, communication, and empathy are becoming just as critical as technical expertise.
Aarathi shares how LinkedIn is preparing engineers to thrive in this new environment, focusing on upskilling teams to navigate AI and empower collaboration and innovation through strong interpersonal skills. She offers valuable takeaways into building engineering teams that balance hard technical abilities with the soft skills needed to lead, mentor, and work effectively in diverse teams.
For anyone interested in the future of engineering and the rising demand for soft skills, this episode offers an important perspective on how to equip your teams for long-term success in an AI-driven world.
Episode Highlights:
00:56 How industry changes have impacted the need for communication and soft skills
04:31 How software development is going to continue to change
12:33 Generalists vs Specialists
15:52 How is LinkedIn positioned for the new era of hiring?
31:11 How is LinkedIn approaching developer experience and productivity?
36:33 How to support devs in automating migrations