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Ask HN: What is the best non-technical skill I could develop?

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Ask HN: What is the best non-technical skill I could develop?

#1

Post by throwmiaway »

(Using a throwaway because my boss might be reading this)

Peter Drucker says that it's a waste of time to develop skills in an area you don't have strengths in. I don't have particular technical skills. I can code a bit of hello world here and there, but I generally struggle with it. Also, I don't take much pleasure in it.

I'm extroverted, I can pitch, I can sell, I can market, but only the things that I believe in. I'm good with people and outreach, not with networking.

As a technical reader, what are some non-technical skills that you'd appreciate your co-founder, work buddy or freelance consultant would have and could help you out with?

The question is for both now and the future, as I want to invest in myself to develop and master a skill for good.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best non-technical skill I could develop?

#3

Post by sharemywin »

Listening and being willing to learn. Most developers are smart people, but tend to have a hard time communicating our ideas to non-technical people.

It's definitely important to have us feel like you understand where we are coming from.

And don't blow us off because it sounds too technical.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best non-technical skill I could develop?

#4

Post by vcarl »

I'd say it's a good idea to get enough familiarity with code to be able to distinguish between good and bad code, and to be able to have a rough idea of whether something is well architected.

Spreading vision is an important nontechnical skill for a founder. I see this as distinct from but related to networking, being able to convince talented people to work for below market because they earnestly believe in the vision is crucial at early stages.

As a technical person working on a startup, I personally would appreciate a partner with more familiarity with the regulatory aspects of starting a business: filing paperwork, basic accounting, taxes, etc.

I also wish I had better Excel chops to better analyze data coming in (signups, revenue, expenses, etc), but am too focused on more technical areas to devote time to learn it.

I'm sure there are other skills that I'm forgetting in the moment, but that's a few anyway.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best non-technical skill I could develop?

#6

Post by mbrock »

Clear communication in writing! So if I need to ask you something, I can send you a clear email and expect you to read it, think about it, and formulate a clear answer.

That sounds like basic literacy, but many people don't bother applying it, and as soon as any complexity arises they demand a meeting.

Even if the clear email is "here's what I think about point 1; as for point 2, I would appreciate a meeting because I have a bunch of questions that would be easier face-to-face," that's good!

I had a manager who when I sent a carefully worded email would immediately call me over and ask "what was that email about?"

Re: Ask HN: What is the best non-technical skill I could develop?

#7

Post by throwmiaway »

lisper wrote: post #5

> I'm good with people and outreach, not with networking. I don't understand the difference between "people and outreach" and "networking." Those sound more or less synonymous to me, so I don't understand how you can be good at one and not the other.

networking is at events, face-to-face. People is generally with people in social settings (networking is a business setting in my mind). Outreach is via email/social

Re: Ask HN: What is the best non-technical skill I could develop?

#8

Post by throwmiaway »

vcarl wrote: post #4

I'd say it's a good idea to get enough familiarity with code to be able to distinguish between good and bad code, and to be able to have a rough idea of whether something is well architected. Spreading vision is an important nontechnical skill for a founder. I see this as distinct from but related to networking, being able to convince talented people to work for below market because they earnestly believe in the visi…

Enough familiarity with code sounds easy for you but I'd argue that this is incredibly hard for the non-trained eye.

The regulatory aspects as well as data analysis parts were really helpful, thank you.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best non-technical skill I could develop?

#9

Post by lisper »

throwmiaway wrote: post #7
lisper wrote: post #5

> I'm good with people and outreach, not with networking. I don't understand the difference between "people and outreach" and "networking." Those sound more or less synonymous to me, so I don't understand how you can be good at one and not the other.

networking is at events, face-to-face. People is generally with people in social settings (networking is a business setting in my mind). Outreach is via email/social

OK, then my answer to your original question is: the ability to think and communicate clearly, because you're not doing it right now. I still don't understand the difference between "at events, face to face" and "with people in social settings." Those sound the same to me.
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