[iainctduncan]

This. And then nearly equal in importance (or maybe more depending on your position), speaking. If you can code well, write clearly, and cogently argue your case without being a jerk about it, you will do well in the software business. Join toastmasters for at least a year.

You make money by being able to do things other people can't do, or won't do. Most programmers won't or can't learn to do these well, so those that do get a very big leg up. When execs and owners try to figure out who should become dev leads, managers, CTOs, etc, they will be looking for these skills in addition to technical chops.

[mandeepj]

'Speaking' has my vote over 'Writing'. If something is not clear then people turn to 'talking'

[iainctduncan]

I agree on the order of importance, to be honest. But being able to write well really helps one's speaking too.