When we talk about careers in tech, we often dive straight into programming languages, cybersecurity protocols, cloud computing platforms, or certifications. But there’s a quiet revolution underway—one that’s not written in code but communicated through people. In 2025, soft skills have transitioned from being “nice to have” to “non-negotiable.”
In fact, they’re now being recognised by hiring managers and tech leaders as power skills—the true drivers of leadership, collaboration, and innovation in an industry known for constant change.
Let’s take a closer look at why soft skills matter more than ever in tech, what companies are looking for, and how you can begin building these in-demand capabilities alongside your technical expertise.
Why Soft Skills Are Getting Serious Attention
For years, the tech industry glorified technical brilliance. The archetypal programmer who could solve complex algorithms but lacked communication skills was, oddly, admired. But the reality is different now.
Today’s workplace is collaborative, cross-functional, and global. The rise of hybrid work has further highlighted the importance of clear communication, emotional intelligence, and self-management. When you’re not in the same room as your team, soft skills make all the difference.
Here’s what’s changing in 2025:
- AI and automation are handling more hard skills, creating a higher demand for what machines can’t do—lead, empathise, adapt, and collaborate.
- Remote-first environments require better virtual communication, empathy, and the ability to self-direct.
- Cross-disciplinary teams are the norm, demanding seamless collaboration between developers, marketers, designers, and product owners.
A recent LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report found that 89% of talent professionals say when a new hire doesn’t work out, it’s due to a lack of soft skills, not technical skills.
What Exactly Are “Power Skills”?
Power skills are essentially soft skills rebranded—with more respect.
They include:
- Communication: The ability to articulate ideas clearly across teams and channels.
- Adaptability: Comfort with uncertainty, pivoting quickly when tech or business needs shift.
- Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing your own emotions and those of others.
- Problem-Solving: Not just technically, but also in navigating people and workflows.
- Team Collaboration: Working well in diverse, multi-functional teams.
- Leadership and Influence: Regardless of your title, being someone who can motivate and align others.
These aren’t fluff skills—they’re survival skills. Especially in a digital economy where change is the only constant.
What Tech Employers Are Saying
Major tech employers are rewriting job descriptions and performance evaluations to reflect this shift. A look at job listings on platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor reveals keywords like “cross-team collaboration,” “self-starter,” “growth mindset,” and “stakeholder communication” becoming more prevalent in 2025.
Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are actively promoting initiatives to build leadership, communication, and empathy within tech teams.
In a recent report by McKinsey, 70% of surveyed tech employers identified soft skills as equally or more important than hard skills when evaluating new hires.
Case in Point: Communication in Cybersecurity
Let’s say you’re a cybersecurity analyst who discovers a critical vulnerability. You need to act fast, but also explain the issue clearly to:
- Your non-technical leadership team
- Other departments potentially affected
- External stakeholders or regulators
You may be brilliant technically—but if you can’t communicate your findings with clarity and empathy, the risk multiplies.
In high-stakes environments, soft skills like storytelling, diplomacy, and presence become just as essential as the tools in your tech stack.
Where to Build These Skills
The good news? Like technical skills, soft skills can be developed. And you don’t need to wait for an MBA program or a job change to start.
Here’s how to begin:
1. Take Communication Workshops
Whether it’s public speaking, writing, or interpersonal feedback, improving your communication pays off quickly. Online platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Toastmasters are great places to start.
2. Join Cross-Functional Projects
Seek opportunities to work with teams outside your own—marketing, sales, operations. These projects help you understand different communication styles and workflows.
3. Ask for Feedback
Soft skills are subjective, so feedback is essential. Ask mentors, peers, or managers how you come across in meetings, emails, and collaborations.
4. Develop Emotional Intelligence
Try journaling, mindfulness apps like Headspace, or reading books like Emotional Intelligence 2.0 to better understand and manage your emotions.
5. Role Play and Simulation
Many IT training programmes now include situational role-play, where learners practice technical briefings or conflict resolution as part of their curriculum. These are a goldmine for skill-building.
How Ascend Education Is Integrating Soft Skills
At Ascend Education, we understand that being “job-ready” today means more than passing a certification. Our training paths are increasingly embedding soft skills—through:
- Scenario-based learning modules that simulate real-world challenges.
- Peer reviews and collaborative exercises to build communication.
- Interactive labs that reward clear documentation and decision-making.
- Mentorship and career readiness workshops that support confidence and leadership development.
Our mission is to help learners not just qualify for a role, but thrive in it.
The Future: Human-Centred Tech Teams
As AI and automation take over more technical execution, it’s the human-centric skills that will stand out. In 2025 and beyond, the most successful tech professionals won’t just know how to code—they’ll know how to communicate clearly, lead through ambiguity, and solve people’s problems as well as technical ones.
In short: They’ll be the ones with power skills.
Final Thoughts
Soft skills are no longer just the icing on the cake—they’re the whole foundation. In a world where tech is evolving faster than ever, your ability to learn, connect, and adapt could be your most important asset.
So, whether you’re just starting out in IT or you’re a seasoned engineer looking to lead, now’s the time to invest in your human side.
Because in 2025, it’s not just about what you know—it’s about how you connect, influence, and evolve with it.
