– Dr. Ketan Kotecha, Director, Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune
Engineering is a dynamic and multifaceted discipline which requires not just technical but also non-technical skills. The non-technical facets that help in building the core base of the discipline are the ability to communicate, lead, coordinate, adapt, innovate and think, to name a few. These non-technical aspects that help drive innovation, creativity, teamwork and enhance productivity are called soft skills.
Prioritising the development of both technical and non-technical skills can help engineers flourish in their roles and help them in generating important breakthroughs in the field of engineering.
Essence of Soft Skills
A martial arts practitioner in order to fight with his opponent not only requires physical strength, but also primarily the ability to time his moves and make calculated and swift decisions in the nick of time. This is where the skills which enhance one’s mind power come into play.
A strong foundation built by soft skills and good technical knowledge of the subject will help the engineer excel in their career and also lead the way for others. Let’s move on to explore some of the crucial soft skills:
Communication Skills
Communication is a key element which is required in every field of work. An engineer’s daily work life involves communicating with the team and with the stakeholders about subjects, both technical and non-technical in nature.
An engineer needs to build camaraderie, both formal and informal, to effectively facilitate work and to ensure the technical and non-technical concepts can be explained with clarity and ease.
Communication skill builds trust, promotes collaboration, and ensures high productivity. Clear communication in presenting designs promotes active collaboration and trust within the team and with the wider business community.
Research indicates that engineers who can effectively articulate their ideas are 50 percent more likely to lead successful projects, highlighting the vital role of communication in engineering success.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Engineering is a field that requires collaboration at every stage and therefore effective teamwork and collaboration skills are vital to ensure that everyone from the team is on the same page in terms of understanding the work.
An engineer should be a good team player and should maintain a healthy bond with the team members, which involves communicating, understanding, respecting and helping each other in order to facilitate work effectively.
Leadership Skills
Engineers need to be good leaders who can step up to take critical decisions and build a consensus amongst the team in times of crisis. This requires strong leadership skills, which are also essential for career growth in the field.
Research from the Engineering Management Journal (2019) throws light on the fact that engineers who possess strong leadership abilities are 40 percent more effective in project management roles compared to their peers. As engineering projects become increasingly complex in nature, the demand for engineers with good leadership skills, who can navigate their way through crises and take crucial decisions, continues to grow.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Flexibility and adaptability are key traits that are very much required in a field as dynamic, vast and challenging as engineering. Engineers should be able to adapt to different work environments and be flexible enough to work as the situation demands.
According to IEEE Spectrum (2021), engineers who are adaptable have a significant advantage in the job market. This data underlines the importance of continuous learning and flexibility, highlighting that those who adapt effectively and are flexible are more likely to succeed and secure coveted roles.
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Engineering relies heavily on the ability to solve problems. The cultivation of strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills is essential to effectively address the challenges that arise throughout the design and support process.
Engineers should be quick to tackle problems when they arise, by breaking them down, employing relevant strategies and thinking of innovative solutions to effectively handle those problems.
Scope and Growth within the Industry
Soft skills provide a substantial edge in the field of engineering. Communication, collaboration, adaptability and problem-solving are skills that are sought by organisations looking to build a strong and healthy workforce.
Combining technical and soft skills enhances job prospects and potential for career growth. Mastering these skills not only improves current performance but also prepares engineers for future challenges in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.