Definition: soft skills

The subjective talents people possess in a job, including good listening and speaking capabilities, pleasant manner, positive attitude, integrity and social skills. In the computer field, contrast to the more objective "hard" programming and technical skills.

Programmers Don't Schmooze
Soft skills help people advance, not only because they are obvious benefits in a working environment; rather, the soft skills personality gets along with a greater variety of people. Like the old expression "real programmers don't use mice" (they use keyboard commands), "real programmers don't schmooze outside their circle." The nerds with minimal computer talent who get along well with their bosses and other employees in the company often climb the corporate ladder, while the brilliant nerds who have only hard skills are left behind.

On the other hand, in an entrepreneurial environment, hard skills workers may sit in a corner and never speak a human language. If they are lucky enough to be one of the first hires in a Microsoft, Google or Facebook, then they can later sit in whatever corner they want counting their stock options. Good luck out there!