Soft Skills Surge: Why UK Tech Employers Are Prioritising Emotional Intelligence

In 2025, a significant transformation is occurring in the UK tech recruitment landscape with emotional intelligence (EI) and other soft skills now being prioritised over traditional technical expertise. Historically, tech employers have sought candidates with strong technical qualifications—coding, data analysis, and other hard skills. However, the fast-evolving demands of the digital workplace are shifting this paradigm.

Recent reports reveal that 74% of UK tech firms now value soft skills such as collaboration, communication and problem-solving just as much as (or more than) technical expertise when making hiring decisions. This shift reflects a broader understanding that the ability to work well with others, adapt to change and engage with clients in a human-centric way is just as crucial to a team’s success as technical proficiency.

One significant factor driving this shift is the increasing prevalence of remote and hybrid working models. In these settings, collaboration, emotional intelligence and adaptability become paramount to ensuring teams function smoothly despite geographic dispersion. With the rise of diverse, often international teams, the need for employees who can empathise, communicate effectively and work collaboratively across cultures and time zones has never been more essential.

Moreover, the rapid pace of technological advancement and digital transformation across sectors demands professionals who are not only technically capable but also emotionally intelligent enough to navigate the complexities of change. The growing recognition of this need is prompting UK tech employers to reassess how they evaluate potential candidates, moving beyond pure technical expertise and incorporating soft skills as key criteria within recruitment.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Tech

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognise, understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. In the fast-paced, often high-pressure world of tech, EI is becoming a cornerstone of successful careers. Here’s why:

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Collaboration and Teamwork

Modern tech projects are rarely carried out in isolation. Instead, they require close collaboration between multiple team members with diverse skill sets, backgrounds and perspectives. In this environment, soft skills such as empathy, active listening and effective communication are invaluable.

Employees with high emotional intelligence excel in team settings. They listen actively, consider others’ viewpoints and respond empathetically to colleagues. These qualities create a collaborative atmosphere where people feel valued, resulting in better teamwork and, ultimately, more innovative outcomes. Tech teams are increasingly composed of cross-functional members, where communication and teamwork become essential for achieving the common goal. High EI fosters a healthy, positive dynamic, where conflicts are resolved constructively and everyone can contribute their ideas and expertise without fear of being overlooked or misunderstood.

As such, emotional intelligence is now seen as critical for building strong, resilient teams that can navigate challenges and produce breakthrough solutions in a tech-driven world.

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Adaptability and Resilience

The pace of technological change is one of the defining features of the modern tech industry. Companies frequently adopt new tools, methodologies and systems to keep up with the ever-evolving landscape. As a result, tech professionals need to adapt quickly and efficiently.

Professionals with high EI are typically more adaptable—they can remain calm under pressure, manage stress effectively and approach new situations with an open mind and a growth mindset. Their ability to embrace change and learn from setbacks ensures that they remain productive, no matter how rapidly the tech landscape evolves.

Furthermore, the emotional resilience fostered by high EI helps tech professionals deal with the inevitable challenges and setbacks that arise in complex projects. Whether it’s a project delay, an unexpected technical issue or evolving client requirements, emotionally intelligent employees are more likely to remain motivated, focus on finding solutions and persist through adversity, driving projects to successful completion.

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Conflict Resolution and Leadership

In the collaborative environment of modern tech teams, conflicts are bound to arise. Whether it’s a disagreement about the direction of a project or tension between team members, being able to manage and resolve conflicts constructively is a key leadership skill.

Emotional intelligence allows individuals to recognise when conflict is brewing and take steps to address it before it escalates. EI enables people to approach disagreements with an open mind, to understand the emotions and perspectives of others and to find common ground. This is particularly valuable in tech teams, where differences in opinion are often inevitable due to the complex and creative nature of the work.

For those in leadership roles, emotional intelligence is indispensable. EI-equipped leaders are better able to motivate and support their teams, manage stress and create a culture of trust and respect. By recognising the emotional needs of their team members and responding with empathy, emotionally intelligent leaders can inspire loyalty, enhance team morale and drive high performance.

The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence

As the digital workplace becomes more collaborative and customer-centric, the demand for emotionally intelligent employees is on the rise. Research shows that emotionally intelligent employees contribute to higher levels of teamwork, innovation and retention, which in turn have a significant impact on business success.

Tech employers are increasingly realising that while technical expertise is essential, it is the soft skills that often make the difference between a team that excels and one that struggles. For example, emotionally intelligent employees are better equipped to manage interpersonal dynamics, communicate complex ideas clearly and adapt to changing conditions—all of which are crucial for the success of tech projects.

In terms of innovation, emotionally intelligent teams tend to be more creative. High EI fosters an environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their ideas, brainstorming together and tackling problems from multiple angles. This leads to more innovative solutions and faster problem-solving—key drivers of success in the fast-paced tech industry.

Additionally, the business benefits of prioritising emotional intelligence extend to employee retention. Tech professionals who feel understood, supported and engaged in their work are more likely to stay with an organisation long term. A positive, emotionally intelligent workplace culture can also attract top talent, as candidates are increasingly prioritising workplace culture alongside salary and benefits.

Finally, fostering emotional intelligence in the workplace helps build a more inclusive environment, which is essential for attracting diverse talent. As tech teams become more diverse, emotional intelligence is key to fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all team members feel respected and heard.

Assessing EI in the Hiring Process

As emotional intelligence becomes a key focus in tech recruitment, employers in the UK are adapting their hiring processes to better evaluate candidates’ EI. Traditional hiring methods, which have often emphasised technical skills and qualifications, are now being supplemented with strategies that probe candidates’ emotional intelligence and interpersonal abilities.

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Behavioural Interview Questions

One common approach to assessing emotional intelligence is the use of behavioural interview questions. These questions ask candidates to reflect on past experiences and how they handled specific situations that require emotional awareness and interpersonal skills. For instance, employers might ask:

“Can you describe a time when you had to resolve a conflict within a team?”

“Tell me about a situation where you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment.”

“How do you handle feedback, particularly when it’s negative?”

These questions help interviewers understand how candidates have demonstrated emotional intelligence in real-world contexts. By focusing on previous behaviours, employers gain insights into how a candidate might handle similar situations in the future.

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Scenario-Based Assessments

Another method used to assess EI is through scenario-based assessments. In these exercises, candidates are given hypothetical workplace scenarios and asked how they would respond. The goal is to observe how candidates apply emotional intelligence when dealing with interpersonal dynamics, problem-solving or conflict resolution.

For example, a candidate might be asked how they would manage a situation where two colleagues are disagreeing on the approach to a project or how they would handle a high-pressure deadline while managing their team’s well-being. These assessments give employers a practical understanding of how candidates apply their emotional intelligence in challenging situations.

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Reference Checks Focused on EI

Beyond interviews and assessments, employers are increasingly turning to reference checks to evaluate emotional intelligence. By asking former managers or colleagues about a candidate’s ability to collaborate, communicate and manage stress, employers can gain valuable insights into the candidate’s emotional and interpersonal skills. References focused on teamwork, conflict resolution and adaptability help validate a candidate’s EI in a real-world context.

This multi-pronged approach ensures that employers assess candidates’ EI comprehensively, giving them a more holistic view of a potential hire’s ability to thrive in the collaborative, dynamic environment of a tech team.

How EI Contributes to Building a Stronger Tech Team

Emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in shaping the culture and success of tech teams. Teams with emotionally intelligent members tend to be more resilient, cohesive and productive which directly contributes to the success of tech projects and organisational goals.

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Building a Collaborative Environment

High EI fosters a collaborative environment where team members are comfortable sharing ideas, giving constructive feedback and working together towards common goals. In tech projects, where problem-solving and creativity are paramount, collaboration is key. Emotionally intelligent team members are skilled at navigating interpersonal dynamics, actively listening and managing conflicts, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard. This leads to stronger teamwork, more innovative solutions and better outcomes.

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Enhancing Communication and Engagement

Effective communication is a core component of emotional intelligence. Tech professionals with high EI can express complex ideas in a clear, accessible manner, ensuring that technical concepts are understood by both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This is particularly important as the tech industry becomes more client-facing and customer-centric.

Additionally, emotionally intelligent employees are skilled at recognising and responding to the emotional cues of others, allowing them to build rapport with clients, colleagues and managers. This strengthens relationships and fosters a positive work environment, enhancing employee engagement and job satisfaction.

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Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity

As the tech sector becomes more diverse, emotional intelligence is essential in creating an inclusive workplace. Teams that prioritise EI tend to be more empathetic and respectful of differences in background, perspective and work style. By fostering an environment where people feel heard and valued, emotionally intelligent teams can create a more inclusive culture, which is crucial for attracting and retaining diverse talent.

Moreover, high EI enables individuals to navigate cultural differences and adapt their communication styles, ensuring that all team members feel respected and understood. This inclusivity not only benefits the team but also contributes to innovation, as diverse perspectives lead to more creative and well-rounded solutions.

The Future of EI in Tech Recruitment

Looking ahead, emotional intelligence is poised to become an even more critical factor in the recruitment and development of tech talent in the UK. As AI and automation increasingly take over routine tasks, the uniquely human qualities of EI are becoming even more valuable.

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The Role of EI in an AI-Driven World

With the rise of artificial intelligence and automation, technical skills alone will not be enough to succeed in the tech industry. While machines can perform repetitive tasks, it is the human ability to collaborate, empathise and adapt that will remain essential. As AI takes over more technical duties, EI will differentiate top candidates and enable them to work effectively alongside machines.

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Continued Focus on Leadership Development

As emotional intelligence becomes increasingly valued, leadership development programmes in the tech sector are likely to place greater emphasis on EI training. Tech leaders with high emotional intelligence will be better equipped to inspire and motivate their teams, manage stress and drive innovation. By focusing on developing EI at all levels of the organisation, companies can create a culture that fosters resilience, agility and long-term success.

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Adapting to Evolving Work Environments

Finally, as remote and hybrid work models continue to dominate, emotional intelligence will play a crucial role in maintaining strong team cohesion and collaboration. In a remote work environment, where face-to-face interactions are limited, emotionally intelligent employees will be able to bridge communication gaps, manage remote relationships and maintain team morale.

As the future of work becomes more flexible and digital, emotional intelligence will remain an essential skill for success in the tech industry. Employers who prioritise EI will be better positioned to build strong, resilient teams that can thrive in an ever-changing world.