Hard skills or soft skills? Which developers cost more?

The ongoing conversation about hard vs. soft skills in the IT field remains highly relevant. As technology advances and workplace expectations shift, the importance of finding the right balance between technical expertise and interpersonal abilities continues to grow. In this piece, we’ll look at how both skill sets are defined in IT, how they’ve evolved, and which ones are currently in demand.

What Are Hard Skills in IT?

Hard skills refer to technical expertise and knowledge required to perform specific tasks. These skills are typically acquired through formal education, specialized courses, or hands-on experience. In today’s tech industry, hard skills go beyond traditional coding abilities and encompass cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of IT.

Examples of Modern Hard Skills in IT:

• AI Literacy: Understanding artificial intelligence (AI) principles and machine learning (ML). These skills are especially critical for any fintech app development company, where AI is used to detect fraud, personalize financial recommendations, and automate client onboarding.
• Cloud-Native Architectures: Proficiency in cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Companies like Airbnb rely heavily on cloud infrastructure to scale their services globally.
• DevOps Practices: Mastery of CI/CD pipelines, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and automation frameworks. For instance, a DevOps engineer at Shopify might automate deployment processes to ensure seamless updates without downtime.
• Prompt Engineering: Crafting effective prompts for AI models to generate desired outputs. This skill is becoming increasingly valuable for teams integrating tools like ChatGPT into customer support systems.
• Cybersecurity Awareness: Knowledge of modern security protocols, threat detection, and mitigation strategies. A real-world example is the work of cybersecurity experts at banks like JPMorgan Chase, who protect sensitive financial data from cyberattacks.
• Frontend & Backend Development: Familiarity with modern frameworks like React, Vue.js, Next.js, and backend solutions like Node.js, Django, or Spring Boot. For example, frontend developers at companies like Slack create intuitive user interfaces that enhance productivity.
• Data Engineering & Analytics: Working with big data tools (e.g., Apache Spark), ETL processes, and visualization platforms like Tableau or Power BI. Data engineers at Uber, for instance, process massive datasets to optimize ride routes and pricing.
• Blockchain & Web3: Developing decentralized applications (dApps) and understanding smart contracts. Blockchain developers at companies like OpenSea build platforms for trading NFTs securely.

These hard skills reflect the current demands of the tech industry, where innovation is driven by emerging technologies and hybrid roles.

What Are Soft Skills in IT?

Soft skills focus on interpersonal and behavioral traits that enable individuals to collaborate effectively, adapt to changes, and thrive in diverse environments. As remote work becomes more prevalent, these skills have gained even greater importance.

Key Soft Skills for IT Professionals:

Remote Collaboration: Effectively working in distributed teams using asynchronous communication tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams). For example, engineers at GitLab, a fully remote company, rely on clear documentation and video calls to stay aligned across time zones.

Adaptability: Quickly adjusting to new tools, methodologies, and shifting priorities. When Twitter transitioned to X under Elon Musk, employees had to rapidly adapt to new workflows and expectations.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Managing emotions, resolving conflicts, and fostering positive relationships within the team. At companies like Buffer, EQ training helps team members handle feedback constructively and maintain a supportive culture.

Leadership & Mentorship: Guiding junior developers, leading projects, and inspiring others to achieve shared goals. Senior engineers at Meta often mentor interns and junior staff, helping them grow their careers.

Agile Mindset: Embracing iterative development, continuous improvement, and flexibility in project management. Agile methodologies are widely used at Spotify to deliver music features incrementally based on user feedback.

Negotiation & Persuasion: Advocating for ideas, negotiating deadlines, and aligning stakeholders’ expectations. Product managers at Amazon frequently negotiate timelines with engineering teams to launch features on schedule.

Self-Management: Prioritizing tasks, avoiding burnout, and maintaining productivity without constant supervision. Freelance developers on platforms like Upwork must excel at self-management to meet client deadlines.

The Balance Between Hard and Soft Skills

The value of hard vs soft skills often depends on the role you’re pursuing. For example:

• Junior Developers: Focus heavily on honing their technical expertise (hard skills) while gradually developing teamwork and communication abilities (soft skills).
• Senior Developers/Team Leads: Need a strong blend of both skill sets, with an emphasis on leadership, mentoring, and strategic planning.
• DevOps Engineers: Require deep technical proficiency combined with excellent problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• T-Shaped Specialists: Employers increasingly seek professionals who possess deep expertise in one area (e.g., backend development) along with broad knowledge of related fields (e.g., frontend basics, DevOps workflows).

Why Soft Skills Are Gaining Prominence

According to recent research, including studies by SRI International and the Carnegie Mellon Foundation, job success depends 25% on hard skills, while the remaining 75% is attributed to personal qualities and soft skills. This aligns with findings from SRI International, which emphasize that emotional intelligence, communication, and teamwork play a crucial role in career success. As IT projects become more complex, it’s no longer just technical expertise that’s needed but also the ability to collaborate effectively, adapt to change, and maintain emotional resilience. This growing trend reflects the increasing importance of soft skills in today’s job market.

Why Employers Value Soft Skills More Than Ever:

Hybrid Work Environments: With remote and hybrid setups becoming the norm, employees must excel at asynchronous communication and self-management. For example, Dropbox implemented a “Virtual First” policy, requiring all employees to adapt to remote-first practices.

Rapid Technological Changes: The ability to learn quickly and adapt to new tools is critical in staying relevant. Engineers at Microsoft continuously upskill to integrate AI capabilities into products like Office 365.

Collaboration Across Disciplines: Modern IT projects involve multidisciplinary teams, making interpersonal skills indispensable. At Disney+, designers, developers, and marketers collaborate to create a cohesive streaming experience.

Burnout Prevention: Strong EQ helps professionals maintain mental health and avoid exhaustion in high-pressure environments. At Basecamp, employees follow strict policies to prevent overwork and promote work-life balance.

Methods for Assessing and Developing Soft Skills

While hard skills are often easier to measure through certifications, tests, or technical assessments, soft skills require a more nuanced approach. Here are some practical methods to evaluate and enhance your soft skills effectively:

1. Self-Assessment Tools
Start by using structured self-assessment frameworks to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Personality tests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the Big Five Personality Test can help you understand your communication style, emotional tendencies, and interpersonal preferences. You can also request 360-degree feedback from colleagues, managers, and peers to gain insights into how others perceive your teamwork, leadership, and communication abilities. For example, employees at Google use internal surveys to gather constructive feedback on their collaboration skills.

2. Behavioral Interviews
Practice answering behavioral interview questions that focus on soft skills. These often begin with prompts like “Tell me about a time when…” or “Describe a situation where…”. Reflecting on real-life scenarios—such as handling team conflicts or adapting to sudden project changes—can help you evaluate how well you’ve applied soft skills and highlight areas for growth.

3. Role-Playing Exercises
Engaging in role-playing activities is an effective way to simulate real workplace situations. Practicing scenarios like resolving conflicts between team members or leading a meeting to persuade stakeholders can help develop essential skills such as empathy, active listening, and negotiation. These exercises provide a low-pressure environment where individuals can refine their approach to real-world challenges.

4. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Training
Participate in workshops or online courses designed to build emotional intelligence. Platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer training on managing stress, improving self-awareness and self-regulation, and enhancing empathy and social skills. Companies such as Deloitte use EQ training to strengthen workplace relationships and leadership abilities.

5. Peer Mentoring and Collaboration
Joining a peer mentoring group or working with a mentor allows you to share experiences and observe various approaches to problem-solving and communication. At IBM, for example, engineers often engage in cross-departmental mentorship programs to gain broader perspectives and develop greater adaptability.

6. Reflective Journaling
Keeping a journal to document your daily interactions encourages self-reflection. Ask yourself whether you communicated clearly, how you managed conflict, or what you learned about teamwork. This habit builds mindfulness and helps track your personal development over time.

7. Public Speaking and Presentation Opportunities
Look for chances to present ideas or lead discussions, either at work or through community platforms. Organizations like Toastmasters International offer structured ways to practice public speaking, storytelling, and audience engagement. Many developers who speak at conferences such as AWS re:Invent begin with nerves but gain confidence through ongoing practice.

8. Team-Building Activities
Take part in exercises that strengthen collaboration, trust, and creativity. Whether it’s escape rooms, hackathons, or group problem-solving challenges, these activities test your ability to work under pressure and connect with diverse team members. Companies like Atlassian regularly organize such events to build stronger relationships across their teams.

9. Goal Setting and Accountability
Set clear and measurable goals to improve your soft skills. For instance, you might focus on active listening during meetings or commit to delegating tasks regularly to strengthen leadership. Share these goals with a colleague or mentor who can support you with accountability and constructive feedback.

10. Real-World Application
Put your soft skills into practice in everyday work situations. Facilitating brainstorming sessions, resolving disagreements, or managing deadlines all offer opportunities to refine your abilities. For example, a Shopify developer might step up to lead a sprint planning meeting, demonstrating both organization and communication strength.

Conclusion

The ideal IT professional is a T-shaped specialist —someone with deep technical expertise complemented by versatile soft skills. While hard skills remain foundational, it’s the combination of technical know-how and interpersonal finesse that truly sets candidates apart.

Investing time in developing both skill sets will pay dividends—not only in terms of career advancement, but also in contributing meaningfully to innovative projects. Whether you’re mastering AI literacy or refining your ability to lead remote teams, remember that adaptability and lifelong learning are the ultimate keys to success in the ever-changing world of IT.