[rsanheim]

I think it is a trap to assume that communication skills and technical skills are mutually exclusive. In fact, many of the best engineers I've ever know were _also_ some of the best at communicating their ideas.

Granted, dysfunctional orgs, particularly large ones, will always end up promoting the sort of person I think you have in mind -- those who talk a great game, play politics, but don't really ship. That is an organizational and culture problem, though, and doesn't mean you should ignore your "soft" skills.

[jvanderbot]

It's tempting to tell yourself you would be doing a disservice by learning to be a better communicator. After all, why give up technical skills?

When framed that way, it just seems completely obviously false.