Published on April 11th, 2018 | by Sunit Nandi

Why Good Communication Skills Are Crucial for IT Employees

Good communication skills are one of the most highly desired skills in most potential job candidates, and for a good reason. While technical skills are also highly valued and important to any job, employers will often choose a person who they deem more pleasant to work with than someone with more skill. This is because skill can be attained with time but communication skills can be more challenging to develop. For information technology specialists, communication skills are even more important for the efficiency and overall well being of a company.

Important Skills for IT

Today’s workplace environment is hungry for well rounded employees who will have the desire and motivation to grow and develop skills that allow them to fill any company role. Companies want to know that their employees understand how their job and the work they do affect company operations. Business skills can help show investment and dedication in the future of a company because they demonstrate an understanding of the importance of a positive work environment and well informed staff that values communication.

While it isn’t the job of IT professionals to be sociable, there are occasions when communication between IT and other company departments determines the efficiency of a day. Typically when the IT department plays a major part of any given day, it is because there are computer system problems. This can lead to stressful situations, which can be made significantly less stressful if there is effective communication between departments to develop solutions based on the problems identified. Excellent communication skills help to ensure that all problems are addressed by asking the right questions and thoroughly examining the details of a situation.

For team members who often deal with the media, it’s highly recommended to enroll to media training online in order to enhance their skills and represent the company in the best way possible.

Emotional Intelligence in IT

One of the main keys to successful communication in the workplace is a high level of emotional intelligence. According to the University of Southern California, there are many different types of intelligence aside from the one that is measured by IQ tests, which measures logic and reasoning. Emotional intelligence measures a person’s ability to be self aware, as well as to detect the moods and motivations of others. These qualities help cultivate a collaborative environment, which helps employees do their best work.

Emotional intelligence is important for all members of a company, especially those in management positions as they’re responsible for directing work and handling interpersonal conflicts. While it’s very important for managers to possess a high level of emotional intelligence, this trait is desired of any employee, as it results in easier conflict management and is overall helpful in the level of communication an employee is capable of. Although emotional intelligence should be developed from an early age due to its importance, most people either don’t learn this or learn it very differently based on life experiences.

Good communication skills are important for all employees but they’re especially crucial for IT employees who are frequently needed to help troubleshoot software problems. As they are sought after for help, it’s important they know how to handle stressful situations and have good problem solving skills that are emphasized through clear and concise communication. Emotional intelligence plays an important part in their ability to do this, and whether or not it comes naturally, making the development of these skills a priority is sure to pay off in the lifetime of their careers.

Tags: communication, crucial, employees, good, IT, skills

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.