For the longest time, the work that we do has been referred to as “soft” and I have to admit that’s always bugged me. Describing it this way sounds demeaning, and sometimes I know it’s intended to do so. The underlying attitude is that these soft skills aren’t really important traits and they don’t mean much compared to science and engineering and the other supposedly hard skills practiced by serious people. The fact is that all signs are pointing to a rebirth and resurging need for these alleged “soft” skills – the ability to communicate, listen, persuade, manage and deal with other people. The skills that we’ve somehow lost in our zeal for technical skills and more coders.