It’s no surprise that engineers are comfortable talking about technical information. After all, it’s what they do for a living. This is even borne out through TRACOM’s research database, which shows that more than 65% of engineers have an “above the line” SOCIAL STYLE (either Analytical or Driving).
But would the iPad have been a revolution of design if Steve Jobs hadn’t been able to communicate his vision to engineers, and if the engineers hadn’t been able to work as a cohesive team and transform highly complex algorithms into something a child could use, and if they hadn’t been able to explain this functionality to a marketing team? The days of engineers working in isolation are over.
Corporations are becoming increasingly aware of not only the need to have smart, well-educated engineers with technical know-how, but engineers who can comfortably communicate their knowledge and ideas to people outside their fields. In fact, it’s become such a business imperative that the accreditation body for engineering schools has implemented a new rule requiring all accredited schools provide formal instruction to engineering students in communication and teamwork.
Powerhouse engineering programs such as MIT, Stanford, and U.C.-Berkeley have helped lead the way by including such “soft skills” courses in their engineering curriculums. These schools have realized that students not only learned to communicate and collaborate more effectively, but also produced better products. And this is good for business.
Learn more about how schools and businesses are using SOCIAL STYLE training to improve effectiveness:
- Success Story: Boise State Builds Leadership with STYLE
- Success Story: MBA Programs Use STYLE to Develop Leaders
- Success Story: STYLE Supports Corporate Culture
For a more in-depth article on this subject from engineeringcrossing.com, click here
