7 Hidden Soft Skills Exceptional AI Teams Need Today

AI and automation teams are at the forefront of innovation, but even the most skilled software engineers encounter challenges that aren’t purely technical.

When IT Leaders think of talent acquisition for their AI or Intelligent Automation teams, they picture lightning-fast coders, master problem-solvers and innovators who push boundaries with cutting-edge solutions and believe in "best can be better" mantra.

I know, because I worked with such a team for the past 3 years.

But what sets the "exceptional" apart from "competent"? Spoiler: It’s not just technical prowess. It’s the often-overlooked #softskills that turbocharge performance and create magic in collaboration, adaptability, and success.

And here’s the kicker: These hidden skills don’t come with a certificate or a degree.

They are developed, cultivated and refined over years through "on the job" experiences, reflection on both failure and success and continual improvement.

Let’s dive into the #secretsauce of top-performing AI and automation teams, how hidden skills address common #painpoints and how I bring my expertise to alleviate this pain and elevate teams.

1. The Art of Storytelling: Turning Code into a Narrative

?? Pain point: AI and automation teams often struggle to increase demand and adoption by communicating the impact of their work to non-technical stakeholders. Complex solutions can sound abstract, leaving decision-makers disengaged or unconvinced.

?? Solution: Effective #storytelling connects the technical “what” to the business “why.” It transforms data-heavy presentations into #narratives that inspire confidence and action.

?? How I help: I specialise in translating technical achievements into compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences. When I coach teams on narrative techniques and structuring communication for impact, they notice stakeholders starting to listen more, to respond more positively, is easier to get buy-in for their ideas and to be recognised for their work.

2. Empathy: The Most Underrated Debugging Tool

?? Pain point: The lack of user-centered design leads to solutions that miss the mark or frustrate stakeholders. I have seen it. How many chatbots are completely useless because they use overly technical jargon or lack basic answers? Why? Because we didn't put ourselves in the shoes of our audience and we didn't ask the right questions.

?? Solution: Cultivating empathy enables teams to better understand end-users, stakeholders and each other. This improves collaboration and creates solutions that address real-world needs.

?? How I help: I’ve introduced empathy-building practices like role-swapping exercises, helping teams see the bigger picture. With my executive coach hat on I ask pertinent questions and co-create automation solutions with a human-first mindset, improving adoption and audience satisfaction.

3. Communication: The Key to Alignment in Complex, Matrixed environments

?? Pain point: AI and automation teams face siloed workflows, sometimes duplicated development or enhancement work leading to unrealistic stakeholder expectation and dissatisfaction, poor ways of working and frustration.

?? Solution: Clear, concise communication creates alignment across functions, reduces rework and builds trust between teams and stakeholders.

?? How I help: Drawing from years of experience working with #tech teams, I quickly identify & address the issue at heart. I empower teams to implement tools and frameworks that streamline information-sharing, make visible Roles & Responsibilities, Development or Enhancement Processes and simplify Support Models. From facilitating cross-functional workshops to coaching leaders on impactful messaging, I bring clarity to complex, matrixed environments.

4. Resilience: Thriving in High-Pressure Environments

?? Pain point: AI projects often encounter unexpected challenges: shifting goals, integration issues, re-organisations or new enterprise-wide best practices and systems they need to adopt alongside their own. These can derail momentum and morale.

?? Solution: Building resilience helps teams navigate setbacks with agility, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

?? How I help: I run "Invest in yourself" masterclasses where people learn about productivity, becoming more disciplined, building confidence, say "no" in the right way, build work-life boundaries. I help my leaders create environments where constructive failure analysis, reward & recognition, listening and adaptive planning tactics result in teams recovering faster and maintaining high performance under pressure.

5. Humility: The Backbone of Continuous Improvement

?? Pain point: In AI and automation, overconfidence in solutions or "value for money" can lead to stagnation or overlooked flaws. Teams may resist feedback or struggle with admitting when a project or cost-model isn’t working.

?? Solution: Humility encourages open dialogue, feedback-seeking, and the willingness to pivot when necessary—all crucial for innovation.

?? How I help: I help leaders foster cultures of humility by designing "stakeholder listening", solution design feedback loops and promoting "failure is an opportunity" mindset. This ensures teams continuously refine their work, improving not just their output but also their collaboration.

6. Conflict Navigation: Harnessing Disagreements for Progress

?? Pain point: Disagreements between Portfolio Management, Centre of Excellence or Operations Teams in AI and automation space, whether about onboarding new tools, outcomes of Proof of Concepts, business expectations or priorities can escalate into unproductive conflict leading to frustrations, delays and missed project deadlines.

?? Solution: Encouraging healthy conflict (and recognising when they become unhealthy) ensures the best ideas surface while maintaining team cohesion and respect.

?? How I help: Change & comms professionals are natural observers, often working behind the scenes to pick up on what’s said and what isn’t. By building trust quickly, we create spaces where people feel comfortable sharing views they might hold back from their line managers. Acting as a neutral bridge, we bring an objective lens to both sides, making tough conversations less daunting. Through tools like radical candor and structured debates, I help turn disagreements into opportunities, ensuring friction fuels progress rather than division.

7. Curiosity: Fuelling Innovation in a Rapidly Changing Field

?? Pain point: In fast-moving fields like AI, teams that stick to familiar methods risk falling behind competitors or missing out on breakthroughs.

?? Solution: Cultivating curiosity keeps teams engaged with emerging trends, driving experimentation and continuous learning.

?? How I help: I advise leaders to kick-start initiatives like roadshows to gather new ideas and stay close to actual demand, to empower software engineer in taking on stretch projects like developing new apps or AI agents outside of immediate team remit - pretty much dedicate time to nurture curiosity and innovation. Something I loved about Shell was that the "learner mindset" was embedded into daily work. I know how to help teams stay ahead of the curve.

Bottom Line: AI and automation teams don’t just need technical brilliance they need brilliant connectors.

As organisations scale AI and automation efforts, I believe success depends on putting together a balanced team.

My unique blend of skills in strategic #change, #communication, and people-centred #transformation will complement your technical team and unlock their full potential.

?? Reach out if you'd like to build AI and automation teams that thrive not just on what they create but on how they collaborate to shape the future.

• What pain points do you face in your AI and automation teams today?
• I’d love to explore how my view and solutions resonate with your journey.

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“Narrative Automation” explores the intersection of storytelling and automation technologies. My goal is to provide clear guidance and teach you new skills that see your career flourish and allow you to focus on what’s truly important - your loved ones.

Join me on this journey to discover the human side of automation and you won't be disappointed. ????

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