The world of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace. With AI reshaping industries, remote and hybrid work models solidifying, and employees valuing purpose over mere paychecks, 2025 is the year to take charge of your career in new and strategic ways. Starting fresh or looking to move forward in your current role, these career strategies will help you evolve and advance in the future.

Adopt a Skills-First Mindset

The days when degrees alone guaranteed success are gone. The key is to stay ahead by continuously upskilling. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning make it easier than ever to acquire in-demand skills such as:

• AI literacy (prompt engineering, automation)
• Digital marketing and data analytics
• Leadership in remote/hybrid settings
• Emotional intelligence and adaptability

Cosmic Development also supports lifelong learning through knowledge-sharing initiatives and professional development programs. We encourage our people to stay curious, take on new challenges, and seek mentorship to solidify their expertise.

Build Your Personal Skillset 

The only way to build a resilient career is to embrace continuous learning and refine your skills. Each of us has a unique background, strengths, and interests—use them to your advantage. Instead of trying to fit into a predefined mold, focus on developing the skills that set you apart and make you valuable in your field.

Master the Art of AI Collaboration

AI won’t replace you, but someone who knows how to use AI effectively might. In today’s workplace, AI tools enhance efficiency across multiple roles, from marketing and HR to customer support, project management, and software development. That’s why it’s important to learn how AI can support your daily tasks.

Here are some ways AI can improve your workflow:

• IT Professionals & Developers: AI-driven automation is revolutionizing workflows. Understanding machine learning fundamentals, AI-powered coding assistants, and automation frameworks can set you apart in the industry.
• Content Creators & Marketers: Use tools like ChatGPT or Notion AI for brainstorming, content drafting, and social media strategy.
• Project Managers & Operations Teams: AI can help automate routine tasks and improve team coordination. Tools like Zapier, Power Automate, and Trello AI can simplify workflows and enhance productivity.
• HR & Recruitment: AI-driven analytics can improve hiring decisions by analyzing candidate data, identifying top talent, and enhancing employee engagement strategies.
• Customer Support & Sales: AI chatbots and CRM automation can help manage inquiries and improve client interactions.

Regardless of your field, staying informed on ethical AI usage and how to integrate AI into your workflow will be crucial in staying competitive in 2025. And remember, companies are looking for employees who can leverage technology, not fear it.

Embrace Career Fluidity

Careers no longer follow a straight path, and that’s good. Growth can come in many forms—exploring new roles within your company, taking on freelance work to build new skills, or collaborating with different teams to expand your experience. Staying open to change can lead to unexpected opportunities and a more fulfilling career. Here are some ways to keep evolving:

• Internal Mobility: Look for opportunities within your company to take on new challenges and gain fresh experience.
• Freelancing: Side projects can help you develop new skills, expand your network, and provide an additional income stream.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Working with different teams can broaden your skills and make you more adaptable.

By staying flexible and embracing change, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the modern workplace and create a career path that truly works for you.

Cultivate a Healthy Work-Life Integration

Finding the right balance between work and personal life is essential for your well-being. With burnout becoming more common, many companies offer better support for employees’ mental and physical health. But real balance starts with small, intentional choices. Set boundaries that allow you to unplug after work, take short breaks to recharge your mind, and don’t hesitate to ask for flexibility when you need it. If your workplace provides mental health resources, make use of them. Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury; it helps you show up as your best self at work and in life.

Network with Purpose

Networking is more than collecting business cards at events—it’s about building meaningful connections. Engage in industry discussions, join relevant online communities, and search for mentors who can offer guidance and fresh perspectives. Sometimes, one meaningful conversation can open doors to new opportunities.

Future-Proof Your Career with an Adaptive Mindset

The job market will keep changing, and the best way to stay relevant is to remain adaptable. Follow industry trends, be open to learning new things, and don’t fear change – embrace it.

Final Thoughts

2025 can be the perfect time to take charge of your career. Stay curious, embrace new technologies, and keep building your skills. The workplace is changing, and those willing to grow and adapt will stay ahead. At Cosmic Development, we cultivate a culture of learning and innovation. We’d love to connect if you want a workplace that values professional growth and fresh opportunities!

The post Future-Proof Your Career: Smart Strategies for 2025 and Beyond appeared first on Cosmic Development.

In our ongoing commitment to fostering leadership excellence, Cosmic Development recently conducted a series of soft skills workshops for our team leaders, focusing on a range of critical skills. This year’s workshops, building on the success of last year’s sessions, delved into advanced communication, emotional intelligence, and innovative problem-solving strategies, among other topics. From mastering public speaking and conflict management to navigating change effectively, our leaders gained valuable insights to enhance their roles. These sessions reflect our dedication to equipping our teams with the tools they need to thrive in today’s dynamic work environment.

Our Approach This Year: Interactive Learning

In our ongoing effort to refine and enhance our training programs, this year’s workshops for team leaders at Cosmic Development have taken a more interactive and practical approach. By emphasizing ‘learning by doing,’ these sessions ensure that team leaders can immediately apply their new skills in real-world scenarios, effectively bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

The Importance of Soft Skills: Insights from Lidija Taskova Popova

To delve deeper into why soft skills are essential for professional advancement and success, we spoke with Lidija Taskova Popova, CEO at ESP, Certified Trainer, and Capital NLP Coach, who led the soft skills workshops for our team leaders this year. According to Lidija:

“Developing soft skills is crucial for personal and professional growth. Skills such as communication, teamwork, agility, adaptability, problem-solving, conflict resolution, change, stress, and time management are part of our daily lives. Cultivating these skills allows individuals to handle everyday challenges more effectively, personally and professionally.”

Lidija highlights that while technical skills are crucial, they are insufficient for career progression. Employers value employees who can build positive relationships and adapt to a dynamic work environment. Developed soft skills enhance collaboration, create a positive work environment, and enable individuals to navigate workplace challenges easily. These skills are particularly important for team leaders as they serve as intermediaries between senior management and their teams, requiring strong communication and leadership skills to convey messages and inspire their teams effectively.

Interactive Training: Bridging Theory and Practice

The interactive nature of our workshops has been a critical component in this year’s training sessions. Lidija explains the value of practical exercises and real-life scenarios:

“Workshops are tailored and conducted according to the company’s needs and requirements. Each workshop includes theoretical presentations, practical exercises, case studies, and concrete examples. Practical tools such as exercises and case studies offer participants hands-on experience and help them apply the concepts learned.”

This approach makes the training engaging and ensures that team leaders can immediately apply their new skills to their daily tasks. By simulating real-life situations, team leaders can experiment with different strategies, receive feedback, and refine their abilities in a controlled environment.

Trainer’s Experience and Impact

From October 2023 to May 2024, we conducted a series of workshops focusing on Workplace Engagement, Communication, Presentation Skills, Problem Solving, Team Building, and more. Lidija shares her overall impression of the training:

“The interactive nature and practical application of techniques enabled team leaders to actively engage and apply what they learned to real-life situations. Their active participation and engagement produced the desired results, reflected in their professional and personal development. The one-on-one coaching sessions were invaluable, allowing leaders to focus on specific areas for growth and develop personal strategies.”

Lidija notes the significant progress in team leaders’ abilities, increased self-awareness, and improved emotional intelligence. Their acquired skills have positively impacted their interactions with their teams and approach to leadership challenges.

HR Perspective: Marina Trajkovska’s Feedback

Marina Trajkovska, our HR and Administration Manager, provides insight into the training’s impact:

“Soft skills training is indispensable in today’s professional world because it significantly enhances communication, teamwork, and leadership. At Cosmic Development, our team leaders’ annual soft skills training was tailored to address specific challenges in their roles. The overwhelmingly positive feedback showed improved team dynamics, increased motivation, and enhanced problem-solving skills.”

Marina emphasizes that the training elevated the team leaders’ knowledge and skills, contributed to personal and professional growth, and improved team performance and engagement.

Looking Forward

As we look forward to the upcoming training sessions starting in September, the progress made will continue to strengthen and enhance our team leaders’ capabilities. The commitment to continuous development ensures Cosmic Development remains at the forefront of professional excellence and innovation.

The post Soft Skills, Strong Leaders: Elevating Team Performance Through Targeted Training appeared first on Cosmic Development.

We at Cosmic Development value people over numbers, and today, we’re excited to continue our series, introducing the remarkable individuals shaping our company. 

In the spotlight is Nick Naumoff, an experienced Content Editor at Rumble. This isn’t Nick’s first interview for our blog. In the initial piece, he provided invaluable insights into his career development, reflected on significant achievements, and discussed the challenges of managing viral video content. (You can revisit his first interview here.)

Celebrating a decade at Cosmic Development, Nick Naumoff has witnessed the transformative evolution of digital content and online platforms. From his early days contributing to Rumble’s growth as a Content Manager to his current role as a Content Editor, Nick’s journey unfolds as a testament to adaptability and growth. 

We should also highlight a recent achievement at Cosmic Development – our dedicated team for Rumble now boasts over a hundred employees and proudly occupies a uniquely branded space within the newest office space in Bitola. This milestone underscores our commitment to providing exceptional support and fostering growth in collaboration with industry leaders like Rumble.

In this interview, we explore the pivotal experiences that have shaped Nick’s career, including his relocation to Rumble’s U.S. headquarters in Florida to work directly with our biggest client. Nick shares insightful perspectives on the dynamic realm of video content, shedding light on leadership, effective remote management, and the exciting future he envisions for himself and the Moderation Team at Rumble.

Please take a moment to read about Nick’s experiences and discover the unique story behind his decade-long journey with Cosmic Development.

Happy 10th anniversary in Cosmic. Can you compare your initial role in the dedicated team for Rumble and now as a manager? Can you share some key experiences or challenges from both standpoints that shaped your career at Cosmic Development?

Back then, at the birth of Rumble, my responsibilities were very simple. We were a brand new platform, and no one knew who we were. Aside from posting to social media, I would find viral videos (cute pets, funny babies, time-lapse videos, etc.) and recruit them to upload to Rumble. So much has evolved since then. Nowadays, I’m able to offer a helping hand in many different departments (moderation, support, recruitment, legal, etc.). I feel that simply putting in the time and absorbing the knowledge over the past ten years has helped me in my managerial skills. I saw how my bosses could teach and motivate me, and in turn, I could apply that to my team. I’m able to learn from my mistakes and share that knowledge. 

Moving to Florida to work directly with our biggest client is a significant shift. How has the experience been so far?

Absolutely incredible. Unbelievable. I truly never thought I’d be living back in the States, let alone beautiful Florida, but here I am. Duty calls. And it’s been nothing short of amazing since the day I’ve arrived. I was nervous, but building such close relationships with my colleagues at Rumble helped make the transition very easy. And being in Florida is paradise. No matter how bad of a day you may have at the office, you see nothing but palm trees and oceanfront on your drive home. Can’t complain.

How do you ensure effective communication with your team while managing a significant role remotely?

It’s all about my team leaders. They are the only reason I could accept this offer to move to Florida. I left Macedonia knowing the moderation team was in good hands, and they haven’t let me down. I do my best to keep in touch with them (weekly meetings, phone calls, etc.) to avoid breaking that communication. They’ve stepped up in a big way. And again, I saw how my bosses from Toronto successfully managed me. It’s come full circle for me. 

How has video content changed over the years, and what new trends do you think are particularly noteworthy?

It’s drastically changed. Since we consume so much content through our phones, short form vertical videos are what most of us are watching these days. Ten years ago, it wasn’t really a thing. But now, especially for Rumble, live streaming is a huge deal. It’s what the biggest content creators on the planet are prioritizing. 

As you look to the future, what goals or aspirations do you have for the Moderation Team and yourself within the company?

For myself, I just want to do my best to help Rumble become bigger and better. For the moderation team, I want them to put in the time and effort to be comfortable with the decisions they make. To have that confidence from the experience of filtering through so many videos. This way, they can use their critical thinking skills and help contribute to the further success of Rumble. They have done a phenomenal job so far, so I see nothing but good things in the future. 

The post Decade of Growth: Nick Naumoff’s Career Evolution, Remote Leadership, and Rumble’s Future appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Content Managers are an embodiment of a company’s content marketing and ensure business success in the digital world. They understand the voice of the brand they represent and use it to communicate with customers. At Cosmic Development, Ivana Radulovic is that person. She has been part of the Cosmic family since 2015, working as a Content Manager for one of our fastest-growing clients.  

How did it all start? 

Through the years, I’ve changed roles and been part of several Cosmic Development teams. In the beginning, I was in the Business Development team and had the role of a Publisher Account Strategist. My main job was finding big and attractive publishers that would be posting our content on their sites. That brings value not only to the content creators but also to the publishers. As the platform grew over the past years and management started doing some internal transformations, I got the chance to work in different sectors, which helped me understand how the platform works. 

Working in different sectors through the years brought me to the content manager position. My primary responsibilities include:

• Getting on track with the latest trending content.
• Finding content that has the potential to become viral.
• Getting in touch with huge Content Creators.

Attracting huge content creators to work with us and getting in touch with public figures and famous media and TV companies from around the world is the most exciting part of my job. It’s like a dream come true!

Can you tell us the pros and cons of being a Content Manager? 

In short, it’s both exciting and demanding! The long answer is – the pros are being exposed to more growth opportunities and responsibilities, whereas the cons are the deadlines and making sure you reach the right decisions. In other words, knowing that you are trusted to make crucial decisions is always a great feeling. Being in charge of a team means being in charge of employee schedules, ordering supplies, tracking performance, budgeting, etc. Managers have a great deal of responsibility, which can be an exciting benefit and opportunity for the right person. 

In terms of experience, landing a managerial position means turning your job into a career. And when you love what you do, and you love your team and colleagues, it’s truly a blessing. 

But, part of being a manager is making some tough decisions. Keeping the balance between the upper management decisions and the needs and preferences of the employees is really challenging. Reaching a compromise, especially in situations where all sides shall be happy and the end goal is reached, is stressful. Another downside is the constant chase with time to complete everything on time and yet stay ahead of the latest trends and happenings. 

How do you keep up with the latest trends in your industry?

The essence of my job as a Content Manager is researching and identifying emerging trends, so it is only natural that we quickly come into contact with the latest trends in our industry. The advancements in technology and the availability of accessible and high-quality information helps us to keep up with the competition. This industry is based on competitive analysis, which enables us to determine what’s new on the market.

Your passion doesn’t stop at doing your job as a Content Manager solely. You are also a Brand Ambassador who actively participates in company events and activities. Tell us more about this, and please share what drives you.

My passion for the job, the company, and the people I work with play a big role. They support me at the right times, unselfishly and consistently, which is a true driving force for me to represent the company in the best way possible. The energy is mutual and circular. What you give is what you get. A successful company is a result of happy, loyal and truthful employees. 

Do you have any tips to share with anyone willing to join Cosmic Development?  

Anyone eager to get out of their comfort zone and willing to grow is welcome. And to our future colleagues, I’ll just say – be open to new ideas and experiences. Be yourself, stay positive, and be ambitious. You can never know what your dream job is.

We’re hiring!

Cosmic Development is the right place to be for innovative problem solvers and creative thinkers who want to grow professionally every day. Check out our current job openings and see if you would be a good addition to our team. We always want to connect with talented people who share our mission and vision. 

The post Beyond the Role of a Content Manager at Cosmic Development appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Adaptability is the capacity to react appropriately to changing circumstances. If you have adaptability skills, you can modify your attitude or adjust your behavior to different situations and different people. 

Adaptability Skills and Adaptability as a Trait

If you include adaptability as a soft skill on our resume, you show that you can embrace innovation, quickly respond to industry trends, and handle destabilizing scenarios with confidence. Certain people have an inherent ability to be more adaptable; they were lucky to be born with this trait. Change comes naturally to them. 

For example, managing an office day-to-day requires a highly flexible attitude. There is no way to handle all the curveballs an office environment throws at you successfully if you aren’t willing to shift your approach or deal with people in resourceful ways.

However, there is no need to panic if you lack this virtue: you can train your adaptability skills. Before we dig deeper into how to become more conformable, let’s find out more about the importance of adaptability skills in the workplace. 

Why is Adaptability an Important Skill?

Adaptability is a critical strength for business leadership. It is also crucial for managing high-performing teams. 

When hiring new employees, recruiters are interested in adaptability as a competency. To rank high on the adaptability competency, you need to show that you can reach your goals through various trajectories. You don’t quit when facing obstacles; you innovate to circumvent them and try a new approach. 

Hopefully, it is more apparent now how important it is to develop your adaptability skills to thrive in the rocky world of running a digital business. 

Are you interested in broadening your leadership skills? Read an inspiring story about successfully managing remote agile teams.

An Example of Adaptability Competency

To be adaptable is desirable because it shows a richness of character and an evolving mindset. Such a mental attitude will help you:

• Easily switch between tasks.
• Handle multiple demands thrown at you.
• Find the right people for the right job.
• Work in an office, from home, or when traveling the world.
• Maintain energy and pace when things get rough.

Therefore, developing adaptability starts with a mindset shift. Openness to new ideas and changing strategies are two essential elements of an adaptable character. 

It is next to impossible to work ardently unless you gather and incorporate feedback from the environment. Handling the short feedback loops in agile methodology is a prime example of adaptability competency. In an agile team, projects will fail unless you are highly attuned to the environment and you act promptly upon every stakeholders’ feedback.    

How to Demonstrate Adaptability in the Workplace?

To show that you are open to change, you have to handle a certain level of discomfort. When things run smoothly, it is easy to be a great team player and even a better leader. But when it’s not business as usual, your adaptability skills must shine. Having an open mindset won’t be enough. You’ll have to demonstrate that you possess adaptability skills through your behavior.

Examples of behavioral indicators that show you are an adaptable employee include:  

• Find ways to adopt changes that work rather than focusing on changes that fail.
• Implement new ways of working quickly and easily.
• Make suggestions about how to implement change.
• Adjust strategy to changes in the situation.
• Present willingness to learn new methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Prioritize according to the needs of the case.
• Retain a can-do attitude when facing setbacks.

If you find yourself high on the scale of each of these actions, you are most likely an adaptable person. However, experience shows that you can never be too prepared – everything we do has to do with “life”. Excellent adaptability in the workplace will help you set an example for your team. Furthermore, it will allow you to navigate across shifting career priorities and change is bound to happen. 

How to Become Adaptable at Work

Adaptability skills incorporate learning and taking risks. In other words, you have to be ready to frequently leave your comfort zone. Here are five ways to help you become more adaptable in life and at work:

1. Develop in interdisciplinary areas. 

Lifelong learning is nothing new. In a technologically disruptive world, there is no other way to grow in business. However, learning additional skills that go out of your usual training scope is a bonus. For example, a recruiter can get an extra perk on your resume if they can show they are highly skilled in technical recruitment and know how to assemble a software development team. 

Another example is software specializations. With so many new software development tools on the market, becoming an expert on Shopify, for example, will help you reach out to hundreds of potential new clients who are looking for a lucrative web platform.

Have an exciting new idea about selling online? Let us help you create your dream team and generate substantial revenue with e-commerce.

2. Become a risk-taker.

It is impossible to make any kind of progress without taking risks. Think about it: if you remain stuck in the same place, you will be comfortable. But at the same time, you won’t grow. Forcing yourself to take risks is among the most desired adaptability skills you can have because risks create new opportunities. Creating new opportunities, such as identifying potential in emerging trends, is the essence of business growth. 

3. Build resilience.

Sometimes, new situations and new people will inevitably test you. Experimenting, learning, and taking risks may end up in rejection and failure. Therefore, one of the vital adaptability skills you can have is the capacity to quickly bounce back from adverse outcomes. 

To deal with disappointment and failure, you need to:

• Develop your coping skills via emotional self-regulation. Simply put, welcome your emotions.
• Practice healthy habits to deal with stress. This means no late-night pizza and burgers!
• Accept responsibility for the wrong actions that led to the failure. Learn the lesson — what went wrong? How could you have overturned the outcome?
• Get inspired by famous failure stories. Even Jeff Bezos and Ariana Huffington had it hard at specific points in their careers.
• Create a plan for moving forward. Adaptability at its best showcases at the moment you choose a new path to move on from failed projects.   

Furthermore, by making time in your daily schedules, you can strengthen adaptability through these practices to impress your clients.

4. Accept that adaptability is a team effort.

We don’t live in a vacuum. Even if you work by yourself at home, you are still a part of an office. Your clients and teammates play a crucial role in how adaptable you become under trying circumstances. Clients will shift priorities. People will leave. Understand what your part is within the team and take accountability for your actions. You can’t change everyone else. However, you can change yourself.

In fact, the people you surround yourself with will be the greatest challenge to your adaptability since they come from very different places. Understanding the difference between what you can (your thoughts and actions) and what you can not control (other people’s thoughts and actions) is crucial to becoming a great leader and an inspiring colleague.

Are you looking to rewrite your business rulebook with new talent? We can help you build a winning team for your next project. 

5. Deliberately practice adaptability skills.

You can always undertake formal adaptability training. But short courses are usually limited in their effectiveness and more appropriate for hard skills. Soft skills often require deliberate practice.

You can tweak your adaptability with exercises, including individual and team exercises with the following activities:

1. Analyze and share insights about the difference in perspective and opinions about situations.
2. Acknowledge the possibility of other perspectives and ask questions to better understand the difference.
3. Think about your ingrained habits. Do you always go out to the same place? Do you use the same project management apps? Are you stuck in the same process workflow?
4. Question the expectations you have from people. Often, things do not turn out as expected. Distinguish between expectations and clearly defined project outcomes. Increase clarity by being bold and transparent in communication.
5. Write down an honest list of your own limiting beliefs and attitudes set in stone. How your fixed mindset limits your adaptability skills?

As long as you are willing to work on these limitations, you won’t lack opportunities in your career and business. By reflecting on a stale mindset, changing actions, and modifying courses, you are a visible representation of adaptability skills in the workplace. 

Adaptable employees make flexibility work like a charm and can handle challenges that arise out of the blue. If you want a dedicated team for your business, contact us today.

The post How to Train Your Adaptability Skills and Create New Opportunities appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Social media marketing (SMM) is the basic element for achieving success in the digital world of marketing and for attaining business growth through the usage of various platforms. Companies that want to increase their brand awareness online must begin by creating an SMM strategy, according to their industry. For that reason, we decided to interview our colleague Daniela Dukovska who has been working in Cosmic Development for more than five years. Her vast experience in the social media world took her from the role of an assistant to a team leader and she is the most suitable person to discuss which social media platform is better and why.

Throughout the past five years, Daniela and her team have been working diligently for our client Social-Hire helping them achieve their social media goals and obtain positive results. One of the recent recognitions they earned is being named the Top 12 Social Media Agencies for 2020. As a result of this achievement, we decided to ask Daniela how she helps with the SMM strategy and how she delegates responsibilities to her team. We were also interested in finding out which social media management tools she prefers to use and which is her favorite social media platform. To discover that and more, continue reading the entire interview below.

1. You have been with Cosmic Development for over five years now. Could you tell us how your Cosmic journey started? What were the challenges you faced when you started working for Cosmic as a Social Media Assistant?

My journey as a Social Media Assistant in Cosmic Development started in April of 2015. I was one of the first employees to join the team in the newly opened office in Bitola. At that time, I was looking for a career change and I stumbled upon an opportunity from Cosmic where they needed English native speakers for one of their clients. 

I had never worked as a Social Media Marketing Assistant before and at that time I was not aware of the tremendous impact it had on businesses. As this was all new for me, everything was challenging and exciting.

2. Which social media channels do you recommend for businesses and why?

It really depends on the business. The best approach for most businesses is to handpick social media channels that make sense for their brand. For instance, if you are in the fashion industry, the best choice would be to use Instagram because it is visual. If you’re in the tech industry, for example, using Twitter or LinkedIn would give the best result. Curating content and engaging with your audience is the most important when trying to grow your business. 

By using Google Analytics, you can see which channels are bringing the most traffic to your site and concentrate more on them, rather than wasting your time on a platform where you aren’t able to get any engagement.

Read more: Top Tips for Improving Social Media Marketing

3. Which social media management tools do you use?

Buffer, Feedly, and Hootsuite are just a few of the tools I use on a daily basis to stay on top of my social media tasks. Buffer is used for managing content for all social media accounts. It offers two products: one for publishing content and the other for analyzing SMM performance. I prefer the latter. Hootsuite is a tool that is used to monitor all social media networks and I strongly recommend it for Twitter accounts. And last but not least, Feedly is an app that is used to curate content.  

4. How to encourage engagement on social media?

If you want to increase social media engagement, first you’ll need to grow your followers. You can do this by advertising on Facebook or Twitter, depending on which social channel is more relevant for your business.

Being active on your social media channels shows that you are worth following. By posting content regularly it is only natural that your followers will grow and engage with you. When customers contact you on social media you are presented with an opportunity to build long-lasting relationships. 

5. What’s your favorite social media platform personally and why?

I’d have to say that LinkedIn is one of my favorite social media platforms because it is strictly for business. You don’t encounter a lot of spam as you do on the other platforms and you connect with many interesting personalities around the world. LinkedIn allows you to meet people from around the world who share similar professional interests as you. Moreover, you get to know professionals who work in your niche and share valuable experiences and insights. I like the fact that you get very positive and friendly feedback from educated people.

6. Throughout the years working as a Social Media Marketing Assistant in Cosmic Development, you became also a Leader of the Social Media Marketing team. Could you tell us how you motivate your team?

I motivate my team by supporting them. When leading my team, I listen to them, value their needs, and respect them for the work they do. I do my best to provide an opportunity for each team member to learn new skills and help them grow professionally. In my opinion, communication is very important for achieving the goals we want as a team. Therefore, it is crucial to communicate on time and about every possible issue that may affect the business.

7. How do you delegate responsibilities to your team?

When managing a team, you need to divide the tasks equally so that not one person has more responsibilities than the other. Therefore, prior to delegating the responsibilities, you need to know which team member is the most appropriate person for a specific task. When I choose the right person for the job, I have a talk with them to make sure that they are comfortable with taking on the responsibilities. Afterwards, I give them instructions on who can provide the proper training and feedback. 

8. What is your most valuable personal achievement?

My most valuable personal achievement would have to be maintaining a happy family life while going to school to finish my degree as a lab technician in Danish. I went to school during the day and took Danish lessons in the afternoon. This particular achievement was very challenging for me because I was taking care of two small children at the time. Actually, I often wonder how I found the strength to accomplish this. 

9. What do you like to do for fun?

The current situation has disabled us to travel, which is something we used to do often. Having a close family all over the world prompts us to visit many different countries which we enjoy very much. Nowadays, I find myself doing a lot of reading, baking, and gardening during my spare time.

The post How to Manage a Social Media Marketing Team appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Videos, video editing programs, video editing apps, video marketing tools… Videos are everywhere we look around us. We live in an era when people prefer video content much more over the old-fashioned written content. Watching videos is far more interesting and funnier than reading long articles. People’s average attention span is 8 seconds, which means that you have only 8 seconds to get the reader’s attention. And this is more achievable through video content because people will more likely continue watching an interesting video rather than read an article that might seem long as an eternity.

The video editing industry is surely taking over and the processes of arrangement and manipulation of video shots are the latest trend that gets the reader’s attention better than anything else. For that reason, we decided to interview our Video Editor Svetozar Petrovic, who works at our office in Belgrade, Serbia, to tell us more about his experience with video editing for our client Rumble. Apart from being directly involved in the world of video editing, Svetozar has experience as a producer and director, too. To find out more about Svetozar’s career journey and the importance of video editing, continue reading the entire interview below.

1. Could you tell us how your Cosmic journey began? How would you describe the years as part of the Cosmic family?

I’ve been working for Cosmic since 2015. Before that, I used to work for a Serbian advertising agency. I loved that job too, but compared to Cosmic it was much more stressful. What I appreciate the most about Cosmic is that assignments are clear and reasonable, deadlines are not tight, and one’s skills and creativity are respected.

2. What was the biggest challenge when you started working in Cosmic Development?

Cosmic Development’s office in Belgrade was huge back then. I was coming from a small agency with a family-like atmosphere. The biggest challenge for me when I started working for Cosmic was getting used to a large number of colleagues and to the noisy environment that comes with large collectives and open space offices. But very soon I made good friends in Cosmic and I got a smaller office where I could work from and everything became family-like again. 

3. Could you describe a situation when you encountered a technical challenge in your career? How did you overcome it?

Technical challenges happen all the time. I like to learn new things and my first impulse is to try to get to know more about the problem and solve it myself or go around it. That way you can get two things done at the same time – overcome the challenge and learn a new skill. But then again, we cannot be experts in everything, sometimes it’s more efficient if you reach out and outsource an expert on the subject to help you.

Find out how video content brought success to Rumble by clicking here

4. As a video editor, could you tell us whose work do you admire the most? What do you like to watch in your free time?

At the moment I work as a video editor for most of the time, but I am also interested in filmmaking and production, and people I professionally admire are mostly movie directors. I like to watch anything that’s good, regardless of the genre. I guess my personal favorites would be movies that work on multiple levels, that are both entertaining and deeply meaningful at the same time. It would be hard for me to make a coherent list, but names that first come to mind are Coen brothers, Sorrentino, Ruben Ostlund…

5. How do you stay updated on the latest tools and trends in the video editing industry? What video editing software have you used so far? 

That is not too hard today when so much information is only a click away. There are many great tutorials, specialized news portals and forums out there with tons of useful new info every day. The hardest part is to keep pace with all the stuff because everything is constantly speeding up. But most importantly, you need to know how to differentiate between quality content and click baits that will waste your time.

I used Final Cut Pro some time ago but I am an ‘Adobe guy’ and Adobe products are my tools of preference because they offer a huge amount of options and yet they are easy to understand. There are lots of ‘Apple fanatics’ in creative industries that would look at you with disdain if you mentioned Adobe Premiere (Adobe’s primary editing software), but in my opinion, Macs are more style than substance. I am glad that Adobe Premiere has become an industry-standard now, even for high budget projects.

6. Apart from being a successful Video Editor for Rumble, do you have other experience you would like to share with us? 

Fortunately enough, besides editing, with Rumble, I got a chance to do other exciting stuff such as promo videos I did from scratch – screenwriting, shooting, editing, special effects, post-production… It was a huge experience to go through all the stages of the process by myself.

7. As we can witness, your passion for video editing goes far beyond editing videos. Could you tell us more about your experience as a producer and director? How did it happen? What were your responsibilities on that project?

I got a request from Rumble to make a pilot episode for a TV show that would be based on funny viral videos. I set up a team and did the production work as well as co-writing and codirecting. The whole team, from hosts and actors to tech people, was from Serbia and we did everything here from castings to postproduction. We had a crew of around 15 people, all of whom were experienced professionals. It was a very time and energy-consuming task but at the same time, it was fun and adrenaline-filled for each and every second. Definitely the best months of my career up till now.

8. If you were to give a piece of advice to your less-experienced colleagues who are video editors like yourself, what would it be?

Listen to your client/director. The best editing job is the one that fits their needs as closely as possible. And while doing that, if you manage to squeeze in your artistic imprint – good for you. But that’s only a bonus, not the purpose of your work.

9. What do you see as your most significant professional accomplishment so far? What is your most cherished personal achievement outside of work?

That would be the aforementioned TV show pilot and a documentary short about ex-Yugoslavian workers living in Slovenia and their rights. I hope I will soon be able to fulfill my dream and make a non-documentary short movie.

Regarding personal achievements outside of work, I guess that would be some charity work I have been doing during the past few years and learning how to sail.

10. What do you like to do for fun?

To have endless coffees and discussions with my friends, to go out clubbing, and to go sailing. I dreamed of going sailing since I was at college but it seemed impossible back then. With time, sailing became more popular and available for the general public. And around the time I got to Cosmic, I was able to take a few courses and become a skipper. So I could say that Cosmic and sailing share a special connection in my life.

You can also discover how Rumble’s content editor Nick Naumoff chooses the best ideas for their website. If you need experts like Svetozar and Nick on your team, do not hesitate to contact us and schedule a free IT consultation. We will build a team for your brand!

The post Why Video Editing is Necessary appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Want your business to succeed? Start practicing Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is an essential skill in every career, and people working in the sales department need it even more than others.

• Emotional intelligence is the ability to pay attention, monitor your emotions, influence, and understand other people’s feelings.
• Those who have high emotional intelligence do not allow their emotions to dictate their decisions or actions; instead, they recognize when it is time to manage the potentially evolving feelings.
• Working on emotional intelligence skills can have a positive impact on your career, your private life, and your overall health.

There are many things that are mandatory for a specific person to be an appropriate salesperson. Confidence, motivation, passion, and drive are all necessary, and the most crucial skill is the emotional intelligence.

What Does Emotional Intelligence Mean?

Emotional Intelligence is the skill to feel and manage emotions. The value of emotional intelligence in the workplace increases as people become more educated about stress management in the workplace and about the creation of an environment that marks mental health at work. Emotional Intelligence is a crucial factor in cultivating a healthy workplace. The five critical elements of emotional intelligence are:

• Self-awareness
• Self-regulation
• Motivation
• Empathy
• Social skills

Emotional Intelligence Influence

Emotional Intelligence is a significant asset for every salesperson as it involves reading other people’s feelings and having a better understanding of sales.

Managing Feedback

Emotional Intelligence is a real deal when handling feedback. Each potential client has different needs and concerns in the first stages of the funnel. Empathizing with customers and their needs, and being aware of their unique requirements makes the process easier. Every rejection is an opportunity, and if it is handled well with a newly presented opportunity, it might provide even more significant sales results. 

Schedule a free consultation with our experts

Managing Rejections

Every salesperson sees ‘no’ as an opportunity to do more or offer something better in the future and more valuable for the client. Seeing the rejections involves having a great understanding of emotional intelligence, and it is essential not to see the rejection personally but as a request for a future better proposal.

Read more about how to manage a business during Coronavirus outbreak

Building Rapport

In business, every sales approach requests a different type of procedure. When the salesperson has excellent emotional intelligence, this is way easier. The method differs based on seeing how the other person likes to be treated. Sometimes a client would prefer to be addressed by title or informally by name. It is essential to see how the lead wants to be called so the salesperson could adapt and pitch accordingly.  

Delayed Gratification

Every salesperson is into closing a deal, but what differs a right salesperson from others is that they always prefer delayed gratification instead of instant gratification.

People with High EQ are also Great Managers

Having emotional intelligence and working in sales means having a mentally and emotionally stable personality. The sales industry is an adrenaline-driven profession, and sometimes if the team feels like celebrating, the manager needs to be aware and raise the spirit of the group.

An emotionally intelligent manager will always see the need when someone needs and wants to talk and balance the positivity and team spirit, which boosts the sales team’s results. The natural ability to read emotions helps the manager to indulge in a closer relationship and creates a better working space for everyone.

For example, if Jack has strengths in conflict management, he would be skilled in giving people unpleasant feedback. And if he were more inclined to influence, he would want to provide difficult feedback to lead his direct reports and help the results grow. For example, Jack has a colleague who is overwhelmed. Rather than smoothing the interaction, with emotional intelligence balance of EI skills, he could bring up the issue to his colleague drawing on emotional self-control to keep her reactivity at bay while telling the colleague what, individually, does not work in the way he wants—discussing issues to the surface tackle he core of conflict management. Jack can also draw on influence strategy to explain to his colleague that he wants to see the colleague succeed and that if he monitored how his style improves everyone around, he will understand better how he could help them.

Similarly, if Jack has developed his managerial competence, he would be more successful at managing change. A manager with this strength can communicate a vision and mission that resonates emotionally with themselves and their teams, an essential ingredient in strategic management. Emotional Intelligence urges change and includes visionary leadership.

See how to grow your business with these powerful free online tools

Ways to Increase Emotional Intelligence (EI)

EI is an essential skill that gets improved with time and with focused development on self-perception and self-awareness. It is a conscious choice of understanding and reading people needs, and there are several tips and tricks on how you can increase your emotional Intelligence:

• Answer without reaction. It is widespread to feel anger and outbursts during conflict situations. People with higher emotional Intelligence can remain calm in the most stressful situations and do not make impulsive decisions. Emotional Intelligence helps in managing conflict and stressful situations.

• Listen before acting. Listening is way more important than hearing. Managers with high emotional Intelligence first listen actively and carefully notice body language. They have a better understanding of what is being told before they act and see the nonverbal signs during the communication. This prevents misunderstandings, shows respect for the person talking, and allows the listener to respond appropriately.

• Stay approachable and open. Be positive. Compliment your colleagues and clients. Radiate positive energy around you. Practice mindful management.

How to See if You Have Improved in Emotional Intelligence? 

There is a 360-degree assessment, which collects both a self-rating and views of others who know you well. The external feedback is particularly helpful for evaluating all areas of emotional Intelligence, including self-perception and self-awareness, which helps you see how well self-aware you are. You will see where your strengths and weaknesses lie by asking those who work with you to provide you with feedback. The more answers you get from the input, the more precise picture you will get. The more significant the gap between a person’s self-rating and how other people see them indicates how the EI status is. 

Our actions define our life, and they are mostly based on our perceptions and view of things. It makes every business excellent to hire professionals and managers that are pleasant to work with, especially in sales. Being able to influence our actions and understand our clients’ emotions is one of our key strengths. In Cosmic Development, we have 90 percent of the clients coming from referrals, and 90 percent of the clients choose to continue working with us again, thanks to this approach and communication.

Success is defined by continuous improvement, devotion, and communication with your clients.

Reach us and discuss more with our experts here.  

Sources:

• psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/emotional-intelligence
• hbr.org/2017/02/emotional-intelligence-has-12-elements-which-do-you-need-to-work-on

The post Benefits of Emotional Intelligence in Sales appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Programming books are a source of useful information that developers can use if they want to enrich their personal knowledge and work skills. Therefore, the action of reading programming books has been always a subject of discussion between individuals who disagree on whether books are really that important. Half of the programmers think that they can get the mandatory knowledge for web, app, or software development through good practice and even better knowledge of the Internet. However, the other half of the programmers believe that it is necessary to read programming books if developers want to improve their knowledge and skills. 

Programming books are an essential part of the personal development and knowledge of individuals who want to advance in their fields of expertise. Knowing how to find a solution to a coding problem online is a very important skill when working on big projects, however, reading books for programming may also prove to be beneficial on a long-term basis. 

Although the list of best programming books may vary based on personal preference, there are some books that are on the programmers’ “must-read” list. Developers need to start reading books in addition to the articles they read online if they want to call themselves professionals. Currently, the most popular “know-how” sources among software developers are the following five programming books:

• The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery by David Thomas and Andrew Hunt
• Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship by Robert C. Martin
• The Clean Coder: A Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers by Robert C. Martin
• Clean Architecture: A Craftsman’s Guide to Software Structure and Design by Robert C. Martin
• Agile Principles, Patterns, and Practices in C# by Robert C. Martin

The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery by David Thomas and Andrew Hunt

“The Pragmatic Programmer” is one of those programming books that provide developers with fresh comprehension of coding and the ability to create better software. Regardless of whether programmers have experience or are beginners, this book will improve their personal productivity and job satisfaction. David Thomas and Andrew Hunt wrote the first edition of this book in 1999 with the intention to help programmers examine the core of software development, regardless of the programming language. Back in those days, this book helped in the development of a Pragmatic philosophy which produced a large number of books, audiobooks, screencasts, and success stories. 

The same book from 20 years ago re-examines the modern programming principles in the newest edition that came out in September 2019. This new edition of “The Pragmatic Programmer” tackles various topics interesting for modern programmers, such as personal responsibility, career development, architectural techniques for preserving the code’s flexibility, etc. In addition, reading this book will help programmers learn how to resolve potential problems with code, how to write adaptable and dynamic code, and how to guard against security exposure. Moreover, developers will discover how to implement the Pragmatic Starter Kit and build teams of Pragmatic Programmers. They will also know how to take responsibility for their careers by avoiding programming by coincidence and facing duplicate knowledge. Developers will learn all of these skills and will develop new habits that will guarantee success in their careers.

Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship by Robert C. Martin

“Clean Code” is one of the three most important Robert C. Martin’s books for programming. The “Clean Code” book will help developers to write better code, to discover how to convert bad into good code, and to become better programmers. Robert C. Martin decided to write this book as a challenge to programmers to reassess their professional values and their work commitment. The “Clean Code” challenges developers to read lots of code and to think about what is right or what is wrong with the code in front of them. 

The “Clean Code” book is a must-read programming book for all developers, software engineers, and project leaders who want to produce better code. Programmers who decide to read this book will enrich their knowledge of coding and will be able to differentiate good from bad code. Moreover, they will learn how to format code and get maximum readability, as well as how to create good names, classes, functions in order to transform bad code into a good one. Furthermore, programmers will discover how to handle errors without covering the code logic, and how to practice test-driven development.

The Clean Coder: A Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers by Robert C. Martin

“The Clean Coder” is one of the programming books that Robert C. Martin wrote for improving software craftsmanship. Developers are encouraged to read this book if they want to get practical advice about coding and creating software. Martin published “The Clean Coder” in 2011 and expected readers to learn that programming is not only a simple technique, but it is also an attitude. The book teaches programmers how their self-respect must be high if they plan to approach software development and face difficult problems that require appropriate decisions. Therefore, programmers who are professionals in their work must treat the practice of creating a software as a craft. 

When reading “The Clean Coder”, readers will be able to learn what it is to be a true software craftsman and how to become one. This book will mainly teach programmers how to deal with conflicts, managers, and tight schedules, as well as how to avoid burnout and pressure from the big loads of work. It will also help developers learn how to deal with the so-called “writer’s block” and how to manage their time for a certain task. Therefore, “The Clean Coder” is a programming book that both beginners and experienced developers need to read if they want to become professionals in their jobs.

Clean Architecture: A Craftsman’s Guide to Software Structure and Design by Robert C. Martin

“Clean Architecture” is another of Martin’s books for programming, which discusses software architecture and its ability to help with the improvement of the developer’s productivity. Robert C. Martin wrote the “Clean Architecture” as an addition to the “Clean Code” and “The Clean Coder”, revealing the rules of software and helping programmers apply those rules in their work. Developers can learn which choices are critical for their success and which challenges they will have to make in order to finish their projects. “Clean Architecture” is one of those programming books that will come in handy to all software architects and managers, as well as to all system analysts and designers.  

Programming books may be useful not only for programming as a process but also for learning the software structure and design. “Clean Architecture” does exactly that. It teaches software architects what they need to achieve and which are the best practices and core disciplines for achieving the aim. Moreover, the book shows how programming paradigms restrict the developers’ tasks and impose discipline. It also helps developers to distinguish what is truly important and what is not, while discovering how to prevent failures in designs and architectures. Finally, “Clean Architecture” teaches programmers how to implement web structures, databases, console, and other embedded applications. Therefore, developers need to read this book if they want to master essential software design principles.

Agile Principles, Patterns, and Practices in C# by Robert C. Martin

The final choice from our Top 5 programming books is the award-winning book “Agile Principles, Patterns, and Practices in C#” that Robert C. Martin wrote in order to familiarize programmers with the Agile principles. This guide for Agile methods is especially useful to Java and C++ programmers because it illustrates the Agile fundamentals and moves from UML models to C# code. Developers who wonder which programming books contain the necessary knowledge of C#, Java and Agile software need to pay closer attention to this book. C# programmers, software development managers, and business analysts will get sufficient knowledge of Agile software and how to apply it in the .NET Framework.

The “Agile Principles, Patterns, and Practices in C#” displays the basics of the Agile movement as well as many source code examples proven in practice. Programmers who decide to read this book will learn the Agile designs and principles as well as 14 practices of Extreme Programming. They will also get familiar with five types of UML diagrams and will know how to use them. In addition to this, after reading this book, developers will be able to use all that knowledge in a real-world project through pair programming and designing.

These are only five of the numerous programming books that are published and available to software developers. If you think that we forgot to mention a book that is also useful for programmers, send us a message. Use that opportunity and tell us which is your favorite programming book.

Sources:

• amazon.com/gp/product/020161622X/
• amazon.com/gp/product/0132350882/
• amazon.com/gp/product/0137081073/
• amazon.com/gp/product/0134494164/
• amazon.com/gp/product/0131857258/

The post Programming Books That Developers Must Read appeared first on Cosmic Development.

If you think communication skills aren’t very important for the IT pro, think again. While IT professionals would gladly spend all day “talking” to computers in various languages, holding vast programs and datasets in their heads and solving interesting problems, today’s IT jobs require good communication skills in addition to the mandatory excellent tech skills.

Take a look at any job posting – excellent communication skills are likely to be among the qualifications that employers highly value. Even if the job requires limited interaction with the public, these interpersonal skills help you relate, persuade, lead, negotiate and express yourself when speaking and writing. They help you build strong collaborative relationships with your coworkers. 

Regardless of whether you are working in the software development department or your interest tends more to digital marketing, here are eight tips on how to improve your communication skills beyond the level of bits and bytes:

• Learn to listen
• What about writing?
• Get up and talk
• Make it clear
• Provide feedback
• Receive feedback
• Practice, practice, practice
• Get excited to learn

Learn to Listen

If you want to give the correct answer, you have to give the correct attention to the question. Listening doesn’t just happen. Do not mix the act of listening with the act of hearing. Listening is the action that leads to understanding, while hearing is one of our senses. Listening is an active process in which you consciously make a decision to listen and understand the messages of the speaker.

There is some multitasking work here. Try to focus on listening to the speaker first, then on preparing your answer. Don’t comment or bombard the speaker with questions every time there are a few seconds of silence. While listening, ask for a moment to write down your ideas so you don’t forget them and focus back to listening. This will ensure a healthier, more fruitful discussion later on.

What about writing?

In today’s electronic age most professional communication is done via the written word.  This means that people will form their opinions about you based on it, so it’s essential that your writing skills are on par. 

When determining the tone of your writing, think about why you’re writing the document, who are you writing to and what do you want them to understand. Aim for a confident, kind, and sincere overall tone. Ensure that your writing contains nondiscriminatory language, stresses the “you” attitude and the benefit for the reader. Think about who is on the other side of the screen and make sure that it is written at an appropriate level of difficulty. 

Get up and Talk

Are you all set talking to computers, engaging in digital conversation and would take that over the dreaded presentation any day? Instead of dreading public speaking and perceiving it as an uncomfortable experience, think of it as an opportunity to share your knowledge and engage with people.

Gather your courage, get up — and talk to people.

Think about what you want to say, and how important it will be for your audience to know it. How this information can help them in their daily programmer life, (or interaction with it.)

Make it Clear

The impact of your communication skills (verbal and written) depends on its clarity. Be concise, but specific. When doing presentations, for example, try to keep just the essential ideas in your slides. It helps both the audience and yourself to focus on the important things. 

Choosing your words is especially important when it comes to communicating information to non-techies. As an IT professional, you have a solid reputation for speaking a language that is largely unfamiliar to the general public. Many non-techies don’t have a clue about most of the IT jargon you use. 

Like writing code, you want the information you’re presenting to be clear and understandable. Don’t immediately assume your audience has previous knowledge of the topic at hand. What may seem obvious to you may not necessarily be obvious to them. Try to use simple language, and present your knowledge in a way that others understand and benefit from it.

Is that clear?

Provide Feedback

Historically, the IT culture is a culture that prioritizes direct communication and provides honest blunt feedback on the work. The Linux Foundation makes it clear “Your code and ideas behind it will be carefully reviewed, often resulting in critique and criticism.” Make your comments constructive, not corrosive. 

Inevitably you will get upset about a performed task at work at times. In those moments check your nerves and wait until you’re calm enough to deliver measured feedback. Address the problem, not your frustrations. Be kind yet candid; say what you mean in a tactful yet straightforward way. But don’t sugarcoat it either- remember you have one end goal: to make sure that the issue at hand is promptly resolved. 

You can achieve a number of things when you give quality feedback. It helps the receiver improve performance, helps motivation,  boosts confidence, develops interpersonal skills and understanding, and shows people you value them. Balance giving negative feedback with praise – give positive feedback to your team members when they are performing well. This will increase their confidence to keep up at that level of performance and encourage them to do even better. 

Offering kudos to your colleagues for a job well done is an excellent way to boost morale and reinforce positive behavior. A good team player is capable of giving both praise and constructive criticism. 

Receive Feedback

A good team player is also capable of receiving feedback. It feels nice to be recognized by your peers, doesn’t it? Certainly. Positive feedback undoubtedly fuels you to do more, it motivates you to do better. But so does constructive criticism. It helps you improve skills, work product, and interpersonal relationships, paving the way for more positive feedback in the future. 

When colleagues share feedback with you, let them share their complete thoughts. Focus on understanding their comments and standpoints. Giving feedback is difficult, thank them to acknowledge their effort. Process the feedback you received, ask questions to get to the root of the issue and think about the possible solution.

Constructive criticism gives you important insight for improvement. It is not easy to give and it’s certainly not easy to receive, but with enough time, patience, and planning, you’ll set yourself and your colleagues up for success. 

Practice, Practice, Practice

Do you want to improve your interpersonal skills? No magic shortcut here, only practice. Joining a technical meetup? Attending a Soft-Skills Seminar? The more you practice, the better you become.

And it is okay to fail as long as you try. Many programmers are introverted enough to know how difficult it can be to communicate sometimes. They won’t blame you or judge you. (Most of them at least.)

Communication is an art, and like any other art form – with a welcoming attitude and enough perseverance – it can be mastered to perfection.

Get Excited to Learn

Good communication makes you more open to other people. Boosting your interpersonal skills will get you a significant competitive advantage in just about all aspects of your personal and professional lives. There is always something to learn from someone, no matter the level of expertise you possess. Show interest in the people you meet and you will be surprised by what will come out of it. There will always be a domain in which you can improve. 

These eight tips for improvement will make you a better communicator, team member and (even more) skilled IT professional. Being able to give and receive efficient feedback is crucial when it comes to effective communication. What is the most important tip for improving your communication skills as an IT pro? Let us know in the comment section!

Sources:

ukessays.com/essays/information-technology/communication-skills-are-important-for-it-professionals-information-technology-essay.php

techrepublic.com/blog/tech-decision-maker/the-7-most-important-communication-skills-an-it-leader-should-have/

roberthalf.com/blog/management-tips/7-tips-on-giving-feedback-to-employees

themuse.com/advice/taking-constructive-criticism-like-a-champ

owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/professional_technical_writing/tone_in_business_writing.html

kernel.org/doc/html/v4.10/process/code-of-conflict.html

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