Soft Skills for Developers: Beyond the IDE
Tags: webdev, career, softskills, productivity
Published: 2021-06-15 13:18:42

As a developer, you know that coding is only part of the job. You also need soft skills that will help you communicate, collaborate, and problem-solve with your team, as well as understand the needs of your clients and users. In this article, we'll discuss some non-technical skills that you can develop to improve the quality of your work.

<hr/>
#####Feel free to leave additions, more tips and build on top of the information you've picked up from reading.
<hr/>

#1. Read, Read, Read
Reading is a great way to improve your communication skills, vocabulary, and knowledge base. As a developer, you'll be doing a lot of reading: code, documentation, Stackoverflow questions, and more. Reading helps you learn new ways to solve problems, understand the language and terminology used in your field, and communicate your ideas more effectively.

But reading doesn't have to be a chore. You can read books, blogs, articles, or anything else that interests you. The key is to read regularly and at your own pace. Don't worry about understanding everything on the first try. Take your time and reread sections that you find difficult. As you read more, you'll start to recognize patterns and deepen your understanding of the topics you're interested in.

Reading also helps you improve your writing skills. As a web developer, you'll need to write documentation, comments, and commit messages that are clear and concise. Reading will help you develop a writing style that's easy to understand and engaging.


#2. Play Chess, Sudoku, or Jigsaw Puzzles
Chess, sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles are great for developing problem-solving skills, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking. These skills will help you anticipate issues and find solutions faster when you're working on complex projects.

Playing these games also helps you develop your focus and attention to detail. You'll start to notice small details that you might have missed before, and you'll be better at identifying patterns and trends.

Chess, in particular, is a great game for developing strategic thinking. It teaches you to think ahead and anticipate your opponent's moves. This skill translates well to software development, where you need to anticipate potential issues and plan for them in advance.

Sudoku and jigsaw puzzles are also great for developing problem-solving skills. They help you break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts. This skill is essential for software development, where you'll need to break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable ones.

#3. Improve by Writing More Often
Writing is an essential skill for programmers. It helps you communicate effectively with other team members and stakeholders. It also helps you organize your thoughts and ideas, and document your code for future reference. Writing can also help you become a better problem-solver by forcing you to articulate your ideas clearly and concisely. Start by writing comments in your code, then progress to writing technical documentation, blog posts, and articles. Over time, you'll find that writing becomes easier and you'll be able to express yourself more effectively.

#4. Improve by Building Relationships
Programming is not a solitary activity. It requires collaboration with team members, stakeholders, and clients. Building strong relationships is essential to effective collaboration. Take the time to get to know your team members and stakeholders. Communicate effectively, listen actively, and be open to feedback. Building strong relationships can help you create a positive work environment, improve team morale, and ultimately lead to better quality work.

#5. Improve by Learning New Things
The field of programming is constantly evolving. New technologies, tools, and frameworks are being developed all the time. To stay relevant and competitive, it's important to keep learning and growing. Take the time to learn new programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Attend conferences, webinars, and workshops. Read blogs, articles, and books. Participate in online forums and communities. Learning new things can help you become a better programmer, broaden your skillset, and ultimately lead to better quality work.

#6. Improve by Taking Care of Yourself
Programming can be a mentally and physically demanding activity. It's important to take care of yourself in order to avoid burnout and maintain your productivity. Make sure to get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet. Take breaks and disconnect from work when necessary. Practice mindfulness and meditation to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Taking care of yourself can help you stay focused, motivated, and ultimately lead to better quality work.



_Conclusion_

Developing soft skills is just as important as developing technical skills in today's job market. By reading regularly and playing games like chess, sudoku, or jigsaw puzzles, you can improve your communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills. These skills will help you become a better developer and advance in your career. So, take some time away from the IDE and work on developing these skills. Your future self will thank you!