A Failure to Communicate
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Communication skills have always mattered for technology professionals, but more so as technology becomes central to businesses and other organisations. No longer relegated to handling only back-end operations, like accounting or data processing, techies work throughout organisations with higher-ups calling upon them for advice and guidance. "You can get a job, perhaps, with just tech skills, but you cannot advance without communication skills," says Senatore.
Needless to say, not all techies match the socially withdrawn stereotype. Techno-MBA programs often train technical professionals to be adept at working as intermediaries between diehard techies and nontechie types. Still, the field does seem to draw lots of people who are introverted, reserved, analytical and data-driven, according to Joseph Weintraub, an organisational psychologist and management professor.
"They are generally less comfortable in situations that require extensive people interaction," says Weintraub, who consults for companies on team development in IT departments. "In other words, they often prefer data over people, falsely believing their technical ability alone will propel them to greatness."
