Which skills have the most impact on someone’s ability to lead a software team, in your experience?
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SVP Technology in Insurance (except health)4 months ago
For me, there are two indispensable factors. First, you need technical expertise to know when to dig deeper into an issue. Without this ability, you won't be successful. Second, you need people who genuinely want to lead and possess managerial courage. It's easy to lead a high-performing team, but to create such a team, you must be willing to provide honest feedback, make tough decisions about team composition, and take other difficult actions.Associate Director of Software Engineering in Finance (non-banking)4 months ago
I concur with John that a mix of skills is necessary. In my view, technical skills are a prerequisite for leadership in this field. However, soft skills are what set apart those who can truly lead. The top skills I think of are communication, adaptability, and critical thinking. Good communication is essential for clarifying tasks and providing focus for your team. Adaptability is crucial in dealing with unknowns and finding answers. Critical thinking allows you to question and understand issues, which in turn facilitates adaptability and improves communication. However, these skills are not set in stone; they change with the industry and the context of the company.CTO in Media4 months ago
In my opinion, the most impactful skills are a blend of technical and people leadership abilities. A common mistake I've seen is promoting excellent engineers into leadership positions without considering their soft skills. While technical skills are crucial, you also need to be seen as a peer in the engineering sector. If you're great at coding but struggle with interpersonal interactions and navigating bureaucracy, you're likely to let your team down.