5 people skills IT consultants need

As an IT consultant having strong technical skills is expected. But what really sets you apart is how you interact with other people.

Studies, like the one by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center, 85% of career success is due to good soft and people skills. Hard skills, like technical knowledge, only contribute to 15% of career success. This emphasizes the importance of not only technical skills but also your ability to connect with others.

What are people skills?

Before we go on, it’s important to define what people skills mean.

Communication coach and author, David Parnell, says that at first, we may think that people skills are about being likable. But if you look beyond the surface, attributes come in the form of effective, accurate, and persuasive communication.

In IT consulting, people skills are essential for interacting and communicating effectively with clients and team members. These interpersonal skills help consultants understand client needs, explain technical terms in simple language, and build trust.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled the 5 of the most important people skills that IT consultants need to succeed with their clients.

1. Effective communication

Effective communication is important in your personal life, but also key in tech consulting. You need to explain complex tech ideas clearly to clients and team members who might not have a tech background. It’s important to adjust how you talk and present information based on who you’re speaking to.

Building rapport:

Social skills are important for good communication, especially for rapport building in a professional setting. This involves creating a connection and establishing trust, which makes communication more open and effective. Here are some of the things you can do to build rapport with your clients and team members:

• Show genuine interest in the client’s or team member’s perspective.
• Share relevant insights from your own experiences to create a more personable connection.
• Use positive body language, like maintaining eye contact, nodding, and smiling, to convey engagement and understanding.
• Be consistent and reliable in your interactions to build trust over time.

How to communicate more effectively:

• Master the art of active listening. Actively listening is key to fully understanding client needs and showing genuine interest, leading to tailored solutions and stronger, trust-based relationships.
• Focus on clarity and brevity in your writing and speaking. Use simple language and avoid jargon to ensure your message is easily understood. This approach reduces the risk of misunderstandings and keeps the listener engaged.
• Tailor your communication style to suit your audience. Understand their background, preferences, and level of understanding. This personalization makes your communication more relevant and effective.

2. Empathy and emotional intelligence

Empathy allows you to understand and relate to the emotions and experiences of your clients and colleagues. A study reports that high emotional intelligence results in strong customer experiences, loyalty, and advocacy.

Emotional intelligence, the ability to recognize and manage your own emotions and those of others, plays a key role in navigating the complexities of project dynamics.

Steps to developing empathy and emotional intelligence:

• Practice putting yourself in your client’s shoes to better understand the other person’s perspective and needs.
• Develop your emotional intelligence by being more self-aware and learning to read the emotional cues of others.
• Engage in regular self-reflection to understand your emotional responses and triggers in professional settings.

3. Adaptability and problem-solving

The tech landscape is constantly changing, and projects rarely go exactly as planned. Soft skills like adaptability and problem-solving skills are essential for navigating these changes and challenges effectively. Being adaptable means staying open to new ideas and approaches, while problem-solving involves thinking critically and creatively to overcome obstacles.

How you can develop adaptability and problem-solving skills:

• Cultivate a mindset of continuous learning to stay adaptable in the face of technological changes.
• Develop a systematic approach to problem-solving, such as breaking down large problems into manageable parts.
• Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than setbacks.

4. Teamwork and collaboration

Tech consulting often involves working in diverse teams. The ability to collaborate effectively is important. This means not only being a good team player but also sometimes taking the lead and coordinating efforts among team members.

Practical steps to improving your teamwork and collaboration skills:

• Actively contribute to team discussions and value the input of other team members.
• Learn to balance assertiveness with cooperation, and know when to lead and when to follow.
• Develop cross-cultural communication skills, especially important in a diverse workplace.

5. Negotiation and conflict resolution

Negotiation skills are vital when dealing with clients, particularly in aspects like project scope and timelines.

Conflict resolution is equally important, as conflicts, whether with clients or within teams, are inevitable. Handling these situations with tact and professionalism can prevent them from escalating and harming the project.

How to improve negotiation and conflict resolution skills:

• Develop your negotiation skills through courses or workshops. Practice these skills in low-stakes situations to build confidence.
• Learn conflict resolution strategies and practice them in your professional interactions.
• Always approach negotiations and conflicts with a focus on finding a win-win solution that respects all parties’ interests.

Conclusion

As an IT consultant, being a people person is just as important as your hard skills. Developing these 5 people skills can help you improve your effectiveness as a consultant, build stronger relationships with clients and colleagues, and set yourself apart in the competitive IT consulting market. These skills, like any other, require continuous practice and refinement. As the tech landscape evolves, so too should your approach to mastering the art of human interaction.