Highly developed social competencies in everyday life can significantly facilitate establishing and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships. In the business sphere, good relationships determine not only establishing fruitful cooperation but also its maintenance and expansion, which in turn translates into achieved financial results.
Social competencies can be understood as the ability to independently use possessed abilities (taking into account a specific value system), as well as the ability to perceive and understand social situations. Social competencies that are valued and increasingly sought after in the IT environment include primarily: communicativeness and openness in relationships with others, ability to work in a team, willingness to learn, taking initiative, problem-solving ability, and creativity.
In the IT environment, employees’ social competencies played a less significant role than technical competencies for a long time. However, current times are more demanding, also for the IT industry. In the era of a changing work model from supplier to business partner, expectations regarding technical support and ensuring operational efficiency move IT teams to a different level of cooperation with business - from participation in the conceptual process, through design and testing, to the final stage of creating a new product or service.
The latest competency research in the IT industry confirms that we can most quickly observe the demand for development of such competencies as: creativity, cognitive flexibility, and emotional intelligence, broadly understood as a group of abilities such as: motivating (oneself and others), perseverance in pursuing goals, ability to regulate mood and control emotions, ability to empathize with others’ moods, ability to cope with stress, or ability to look optimistically into the future.
However, social competencies are skills that can be learned, worked on, and also developed and modeled. However, this process can be very demanding and long-lasting. In the era of the constantly developing IT sector, flexibly adapting to customer needs, where high-class specialists with technical competencies and business experience are sought, it can be observed that the market is increasingly opening up to employees aware of their social competencies. More and more often, it is allowed to supplement possible gaps in advanced knowledge, both through training and practical on-the-job support. An employee, especially in the IT industry, can be much more easily (and quickly) familiarized with a specific technology or product than effectively influenced to change character and willingness to openly work on developing social competencies.
Author:
Marcin Godula, CEO of EITT
With over 20 years of experience in IT and technology education, he focuses on shaping the company’s development strategy, analysing IT education trends and building innovative training programmes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are social competencies becoming more important than technical skills in IT?
The IT industry has shifted from a purely technical supplier model to a business partner model, requiring professionals to participate in conceptual design, testing, and product creation alongside business stakeholders. While technical gaps can be addressed relatively quickly through training, developing social competencies such as communication, empathy, and teamwork requires a much longer and more deliberate effort, making candidates who already possess these skills highly valued.
Which social competencies are most in demand in the IT sector?
The most sought-after social competencies in IT include communicativeness and openness in relationships, teamwork ability, willingness to learn, initiative, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Research also highlights growing demand for emotional intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and the ability to regulate mood and cope with stress in high-pressure project environments.
Can social competencies be learned or are they innate traits?
Social competencies are skills that can be learned, practiced, and developed over time, though the process can be demanding and long-lasting. Through targeted training, coaching, and on-the-job practice, IT professionals can significantly improve their interpersonal abilities and adapt their communication style to different professional contexts.
How do social competencies affect career advancement in IT?
Professionals with strong social competencies are better positioned for leadership roles, cross-functional collaboration, and client-facing responsibilities. The market increasingly favors employees who combine technical expertise with interpersonal awareness, as they contribute more effectively to team dynamics, project outcomes, and long-term business relationships.