As engineers, we tend to be introverted, have high IQ, and possess technical skills developed over years of training. These traits excel in individual problem-solving but are not always sufficient for achieving outstanding results in the team environments most of us operate in, where problems are frequently non-technical. We have to cultivate “soft skills,” such as communication, teamwork, project management, emotional intelligence, and leadership. The challenge? These skills were not part of our formal education, and many require a shift in mindset or intuition that differs from our engineering training. So, what’s the solution?

My name is Zhuang Liang. Having worked at companies like Uber, Google, and Affirm, and advanced from a senior software engineer to a director of engineering, I’ve learned the value of soft skills through a challenging process. To simplify this journey for my fellow engineers, I’m creating a training program dubbed ‘Meta-Skill Essentials.’ In this program, you will learn and develop the essential skills to excel in team settings.