+One Question

for Kim Scott

Martin: In the last 30 years we have seen significant development but also the need for soft skills and providing feedback in the software industry. In this sense, is the programmer’s world somehow different and specific from other industries? Could you name those specifics in the context of your words, that it is not just a business?

Kim: I think that given the war for engineering talent globally, programmers just won’t pay the asshole tax. They will leave a company before working for a jerk. So it’s really important for managers to learn how to be good bosses. And a big part of that is learning how to communicate well. This is not a “soft” skill, it’s actually really difficult to learn, and has a direct impact on success :)