CIOs want staff with good soft skills to help drive digital change

Communication skill, not technical knowledge, is the most sought-after attribute for chief information officers (CIOs) looking to digitally transform their organisation. A survey carried out by recruitment consultancy Robert Half revealed that almost three-quarters (74%) of CIOs said communication skills are a top requirement for leading digital transformation, while 52% cited technical knowledge. Half of the 700 executives questioned said demand will increase for people with good communication skills in the next three years, with 30% expecting such recruits to become harder to find. Steve Sully, associate director at, Robert Half Technology UK, said that at one time, soft skills were overlooked and undervalued, but this has changed. "The need to hire technology candidates with both technical and softer attributes, such as communication, flexibility and adaptability, is a fine balance required to adjust in this constant state of digital change," he said.