Here are five effective prompts that software engineers can use to improve their social skills, specifically tailored for networking, communication, and collaboration. I have used these to get through tricky situations. For best results, I recommend that you attempt to come up with the words before asking GenAI, then compare your words and the GenAI output.

A human interacting with an artificial intelligence. GenAI can help engineers improve their social skills

1. Empathy in Communication

“Rewrite the following technical message to sound more approachable and empathetic while maintaining clarity and professionalism: [Insert your message].”

2. Explaining Technical Concepts to Non-Technical Audiences

“Describe [technical concept] in a way that a 10-year-old or a non-technical stakeholder would understand, using analogies and real-world examples.”

3. Active Listening in Meetings

“Create a checklist of five techniques that software engineers can use to actively listen and engage in team meetings, especially when discussing complex topics.”

4. Handling Conflict in Code Reviews

“Provide a constructive and professional response to a teammate who has misunderstood my code changes and left overly critical feedback in a code review.”

5. Networking and Small Talk for Engineers

“Generate five conversation starters that a software engineer can use at a networking event or during casual office interactions to build rapport with colleagues.”

These prompts can help software engineers develop better communication skills, improve collaboration, and foster a more positive work environment.

Engineers can improve their social skills with practice. The first step is caring, and by being here, you have that covered! Good luck!