Engineers: Develop soft skills like mindset and people smarts for career advancement.

Okay, building on the previous analysis, here's an updated assessment based on the new Reddit post:

Analysis of Reddit Post: "The skills no one teaches engineers: mindset, people smarts, and the books that rewired me" (ID: 1kx4aj3)

This post really drives home the importance of non-technical skills for engineers, especially in a job market where outsourcing and automation are common. The author's personal experience of being laid off from Amazon, despite being proficient in SQL and Python, underscores the value of having a strong "mindset" and "people smarts."

Hot Skills:

1. Mindset: This is all about resilience, adaptability, and a growth-oriented perspective. It’s not just what you know, but how you approach problems and work.
2. People Smarts (Interpersonal Skills): This includes communication, empathy, collaboration, and understanding team dynamics. These skills are crucial for working effectively with others and being seen as a valuable team member beyond just your technical output.
3. Critical Thinking: The comments suggest developing this through reading diverse materials (fiction, literature, philosophy, and good non-fiction) that offer new perspectives, rather than prescriptive "how-to" guides. This skill helps in better problem-solving and decision-making.
4. Adaptability to Automation/Outsourcing: While not a skill itself, the ability to develop skills that are less easily automated or outsourced (like the soft skills mentioned above) is key.

Tools (for skill development):

1. Reading (Broadly):
   • Fiction & Literature: Suggested for developing empathy and understanding human nature ("read stories that move you," "English Literature classes syllabi").
   • Philosophy: Recommended for developing deeper thinking skills ("Start with Plato").
   • Quality Non-Fiction: Books that offer new perspectives and help sharpen critical thinking, though there's a caution against "bullshit manifestos" or "millionaire propaganda." The emphasis is on substantive content.
2. Self-Reflection & Continuous Learning: Engaging with these materials requires a commitment to personal development and reflecting on how to apply what you learn.

Qualifications (Beyond Technical):

1. Demonstrated application of soft skills: Not just listing them, but having examples of how mindset, people smarts, and critical thinking were used to solve problems, lead initiatives, or navigate complex situations.
2. Proactive Personal Development: An inclination towards continuous learning and seeking out resources (like the books mentioned) to improve non-technical abilities.
3. Resilience & Adaptability: Experience in navigating organizational changes (like the BI team outsourcing mentioned) or adapting to new technologies/processes.

Potential Job Opportunities:

Given the emphasis on these skills, individuals strong in them would be well-suited for roles that:

1. Involve significant cross-functional collaboration or stakeholder management: e.g., Senior Engineer roles requiring liaison with product/business, Technical Lead, Project/Program Manager, Engineering Manager.
2. Require strategic thinking and problem-solving beyond pure technical execution: Roles where understanding the "why" and influencing the "what" is as important as the "how."
3. Are less susceptible to direct automation or outsourcing due to the need for nuanced human interaction and judgment: e.g., roles involving complex system design, mentorship, team leadership, or interpreting ambiguous requirements.
4. Focus on process improvement, change management, or organizational development: Where understanding human factors and driving adoption is key.

Resume/CV Focus:

1. Highlight Soft Skills with Concrete Examples: Instead of just listing "good communicator," describe a situation where your communication skills resolved a conflict or aligned a team (using the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result).
2. Emphasize Leadership and Influence: Even without formal titles, showcase instances of leading projects, mentoring juniors, or influencing technical decisions.
3. Showcase Problem-Solving Beyond Code: Detail how critical thinking was applied to complex business or technical challenges.
4. Mention Continuous Learning: Briefly list impactful books read or courses taken related to these soft skills, perhaps in a "Professional Development" or "Interests" section if appropriate.
5. Frame Technical Skills as a Foundation: Position SQL, Python, etc., as essential tools, but draw attention to how they were applied in conjunction with soft skills to achieve broader business outcomes.

Expected Benefits:

1. Increased Job Security: Individuals with strong soft skills are often more valuable and harder to replace than those with purely technical skills, making them less vulnerable during layoffs or restructuring.
2. Career Advancement: These skills are prerequisites for leadership and more strategic roles.
3. Greater Influence and Impact: Ability to contribute beyond individual coding tasks and shape team/organizational direction.
4. Improved Adaptability: Better equipped to handle changes in technology, team structures, or business priorities.
5. Higher Earning Potential: Roles requiring these advanced soft skills often command higher salaries.