Robotics, chatbots, artificial intelligence, blockchain and predictive analytics all have the capability of dramatically changing the work and the profitability of organization. However, in many organizations the professionals in information technology (IT) lack the soft skills to explain the complex concepts in a clear and engaging way.  This skill gap could cost organizations millions of dollars.

IT professionals that have advanced to the higher ranks rose to their position based on their technology know-how.  But that will not be enough for technology leaders to advance in the future.  CIOs, CTOs and their teams must develop their soft skills and business knowledge to translate technology into profits.  In many organizations IT lacks the respect needed to be transformational. It’s time to socialize the nerds.

Heather L. Cole, a two-time #1 bestselling author, certified high-performance coach with over 25 years’ experience in IT says, “IT departments are focusing on developing technology knowledge instead of soft skills and the results could be devastating for many companies.”  Experts agree, profitable companies of the future will be the companies who have developed their technologist to be able to connect and communicate with the business users and deeply understand the business, so that organizations leverage technology during the current data revolution. But what are companies doing to develop IT?

“You can find hundreds of articles describing the need for technologists to develop soft skills,” says Cole, “but very few programs exist specifically for technologists to develop these skills. IT professionals think differently.”  The top skills IT professionals need to develop include:

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• Active observation and listening skills
• Influence and persuasion
• Understanding the emotional and business needs of others
• Empathy
• Facilitation skills

According to Cole, many organizations have tried to teach these skills to IT, but they have minimal success. The secret to teaching techies soft-skills is to have a technologist teach them.

Heatherized, Inc. an organization founded by Cole is launching new initiatives to solve the IT identity crisis and break down the communication barriers between IT and the rest of the organization. Technologists that want to join Cole’s IT transformational movement should join her new Linkedin Group The Premier Group for Technologist Looking to Build Soft Skills & Influencehttps://www.linkedin.com/groups/13701280/,  or sign up for webinars at www.Heatherized.com/events.  They can also order Cole’s latest bestselling book Solving the CIO Identity Crisis: The Art of Becoming A Respected Executive Leading Innovation and Transformation available on Amazon.

SOURCE Heatherized, Inc.