Software Engineers — are Communications Specialists

About a year ago I attended speech techniques, rythorics and oratory art classes at St.Petersburg school of Cinema and Television. There was a group of 10 people in that class and on the first lesson our teacher asked everyone to tell a few words about who we are.

I told, that I am a Software Engineer. Next person to me also has happened to be a programmist. But when another, third person told, that he is also a software developer, teacher wondered: why do we have so many Software Engineers here? Why do you need all this “speech” stuff?

And I replied:

This is because Software Engineers — are Communication Specialists!

And then I continued:

If we can not translate our ideas and thoughts simply and clearly to others, if others do not feel good to start talking to us, then we grow very slowly as specialists. We learn slowly. And on the contrary: when we are great communicators, then we encourage, we foster, we support people around — and they feel safe to talk to us, to ask something, to contact us in any case!

I really think, that this is one of most important skills of all the best Software Engineers — to be Great Communicators. This skill allows them to work in team, to collaborate. And teams, but not individuals — are those, who build production quality products that last for years.

Indeed, it’s like a proverb:

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

In business we want to go far. That’s why communication is so valued. That’s why for every Software Engineer it is important to pay attention to everything that supports communications: from smile and fresh breath to speech techniques and personal character adjustments.

P.S.: If you found this article useful, please help me to share it with others by giving it some claps! Thank you!