Technical expertise is crucial for engineers, but soft skills are just as important for long-term success. These interpersonal and cognitive abilities allow professionals to collaborate effectively, solve complex problems, and adapt to evolving challenges. At Agoda, we believe that a well-rounded engineer combines technical proficiency with essential soft skills, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. To dive deeper, we spoke with some Agodans about the top soft skills they consider essential for success.
Here are the top soft skills every engineer needs to succeed:
1. Communication Skills
Effective communication is a cornerstone of success in engineering, especially when working across different teams. Whether you’re explaining complex technical details to non-technical stakeholders or collaborating with your peers, clear communication is essential for ensuring that everyone understands the project’s goals and progress.
2. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
Critical thinking and problem-solving are central to engineering and are among the soft skills every engineer needs to succeed. These skills empower engineers to assess challenges from multiple perspectives, find innovative solutions, and proactively tackle potential problems. It is essential not only for addressing immediate technical issues but also for anticipating potential problems and devising preventive measures.
Vivek Parmani, Lead Backend Engineer at Agoda, shares:
“As engineers, we often face complex challenges that require innovative solutions. It’s crucial to not only identify problems but also propose viable solutions and assess their impact. Evaluating the return on investment (ROI) for proposed solutions helps prioritize efforts that bring the most significant benefits to the company. My advice is to focus on identifying problems and proactively bringing potential solutions to the table. Even if the solutions are imperfect, a thorough understanding of the problem significantly enhances your ability to find practical solutions.”
3. Collaboration and Teamwork
Engineering projects often require input from various departments, such as design, product management, and marketing. Being able to collaborate effectively with people who have different expertise is crucial for successful project outcomes. Engineers who work well with others are better at solving complex problems and driving innovation.
Borvornsak Laoratanapong, Senior Machine Learning Engineer at Agoda, explains:
“Effective collaboration is essential at Agoda, particularly between technical and non-technical teams. Our team employs various collaboration strategies, such as system design reviews, task breakdowns, and code reviews with data platform and data backend teams. These interactions are vital for aligning creative ideas and gathering requirements for new marketing strategies. As a data-driven company, our collaboration extends beyond the technical teams. We engage with marketing teams to ensure our machine learning objectives align with broader business goals.”
4. Adaptability and Flexibility
The tech industry is dynamic and constantly evolving. Engineers who can adapt to new tools, technologies, and processes are better equipped to succeed in fast-paced environments. Flexibility allows engineers to remain open to change and quickly adjust their approaches to meet new challenges.
We value engineers who are adaptable, as the ability to pivot between projects and priorities is key to thriving in our agile environment.
Hadar Zaidi, Director of BI Strategy at Agoda, shares:
“Success in this field requires a genuine commitment to continuous learning, embracing new technologies, platforms, and tools, and tackling complex problems through analytical thinking. Above all, your passion and drive for innovation will make you truly shine in this ever-changing field.”
Stay curious and take the initiative to learn new tools or technologies. Being proactive about your own development ensures that you remain flexible and ready to tackle new challenges.
5. Time Management and Organization
Engineering projects often come with tight deadlines and competing priorities. Strong time management skills are essential for meeting deadlines without compromising on quality. This involves effectively prioritizing tasks, managing workloads, and setting realistic goals to keep projects on track.
How to improve: Use project management tools to help organize your tasks, set realistic deadlines, and prioritize your workload. This helps you stay on track and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks.
6. Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions while empathizing with others. Engineers with high EQ are better at managing stress, handling constructive criticism, and working in diverse teams.
EQ also enhances leadership, as engineers who can navigate team dynamics, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships contribute to greater trust, respect, and team cohesion. We value engineers who can foster a positive team environment by leveraging emotional intelligence.
How to improve: Practice active listening and empathy in your daily interactions. Being mindful of how others feel can help build stronger, more positive relationships in the workplace.
7. Leadership and Ownership
Even without a formal leadership title, engineers should take ownership of their work. Leadership involves taking initiative, driving projects forward, and being accountable for both successes and setbacks. Engineers who take ownership of their tasks demonstrate reliability, inspire confidence, and contribute significantly to the team’s success.
We encourage engineers to lead by example—whether through mentorship, proposing new ideas, or driving innovation within their areas of expertise.
How to improve: Look for opportunities to take on more responsibility, whether it’s leading a small project or mentoring junior team members. This builds leadership skills and strengthens your ability to manage tasks independently.
Mastering the soft skills every engineer needs to succeed not only enhances performance but also transforms how you approach challenges, making you a more adaptable and impactful engineer.
Ready to apply these skills? Explore opportunities at Agoda and grow with us.
