Ruthlessly Helpful

The other day I was speaking with an engineer and they asked me to describe the crucial skills that make engineers successful. I think this is an important topic.

In a world driven by technological innovation, the role of an engineer is more crucial than ever. Yet, what separates good engineers from successful ones isn’t just technical know-how; it involves a mastery of various practical and soft skills. Let’s explore these skills.

Cultivate Core Technical Skills

Problem Solving — Every engineer’s primary role involves solving problems to build things or fix things. However, successful engineers distinguish themselves by tackling novel challenges that aren’t typically addressed in conventional education. Refine your ability to devise innovative solutions.

Learn and practice techniques such as:

• actively engaging with new and unfamiliar material (e.g., frameworks, languages, other tech)
• linking knowledge to existing experiences
• prioritizing understanding over memorization

Creativity — John Cleese once said, “Creativity is not a talent … it is a way of operating.” Creativity in engineering isn’t about artistic ability; it’s about thinking differently and being open to new ideas.

Foster creativity by:

• creating distraction-free environments
• allowing uninterrupted time for thought
• maintaining a playful, open-minded attitude toward problem-solving

Critical Thinking — This involves a methodical analysis and evaluation of information to form a judgment. This skill is vital for making informed decisions and avoiding costly mistakes in complex projects.

Successful engineers often excel at:

• formulating hypotheses
• gathering information (e.g., researching, experimenting, reading, and learning)
• exploring multiple viewpoints to reach logical conclusions

Domain Expertise – Understanding the specific needs and processes of the business, market, or industry you are working with can greatly enhance the relevance and impact of your engineering solutions. Domain expertise allows engineers to deliver more targeted and effective solutions.

Learn the domain by:

• mastering business-, market-, and industry-specific business processes
• familiarizing yourself with the client’s needs, wants, and “delighters”

Enhance Your Soft Skills

The importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in engineering cannot be overstated. As engineers advance in their careers, their technical responsibilities often broaden to include leadership roles. These skills help in nurturing a positive work environment and team effectiveness. Moreover, as many experts suggest, EQ tends to increase with age, which provides a valuable opportunity for personal development over time.

Broaden your skills to include more soft skills:

• recognizing and regulating emotions,
• understanding team dynamics, and
• effective communication

Debug the Development Process

Personal Process — Engineering is as much about personal growth as it is about technical know-how. Successful engineers maintain a disciplined personal development process that helps them continuously improve their performance.

Hone your ability and habit of:

• estimating and planning your work
• making and keeping commitments
• quantifying the value of your work
• reducing defects and enhancing quality

Team Process — In collaborative environments, the ability to facilitate, influence, and negotiate becomes crucial. Successful engineers need to articulate and share their vision, adapt their roles to the team’s needs, and contribute to building efficient, inclusive teams. This involves balancing speed and quality in engineering tasks and fostering an environment where new and better practices are embraced.

Continually Learn and Adapt

The landscape of engineering is constantly evolving, driven by advancements in technology and changes in market demands. Remaining successful as an engineer requires a commitment to lifelong learning—actively seeking out new knowledge and skills to stay ahead of the curve.

In summary, to adapt and thrive, you must take charge of you own skill development.

Recommended Resources

If you are looking to deepen your understanding of these concepts, many resources are available. Here are some recommended resources to provide insights and tools to enhance you skills.

Problem Solving

• Book: “The Ideal Problem Solver” by John D. Bransford and Barry S. Stein
  Amazon Link
• Video: Tom Wujec: “Got a wicked problem? First, tell me how you make toast”
  TED Talk Link

Creativity

• Book: “Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide” by John Cleese
  Amazon Link
• Video: John Cleese on Creativity
  YouTube Link

Critical Thinking

• Book: “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman
  Amazon Link
• Video: “5 tips to improve your critical thinking – Samantha Agoos”
  YouTube Link

Domain Expertise

• Book: “Domain-Driven Design Distilled” by Vaughn Vernon
  Amazon Link
• Video: Introduction to Domain-Driven Design
  YouTube Link

Emotional Intelligence

• Book: “Working with Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman
  Amazon Link
• Video: Daniel Goleman introduces Emotional Intelligence
  YouTube Link

Development Process

• Book: “Elastic Leadership” by Roy Osherove
  Manning Publications Link
• Video: Roy Osherove on Leadership in Engineering
  YouTube Link

Personal and Team Development

• Book: “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” by Charles Duhigg
  Amazon Link
• Video: “Debugging Like A Pro”
  YouTube Link
• Additional Resource: How Etsy Ships Apps
  Etsy Code as Craft Link
• Video: “How Big Tech Ships Code to Production”
  YouTube Link