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In her presentation at Ruby Unconf 2019, Iulia Costea discusses the importance of soft skills in software development, challenging the perception that these skills are optional or secondary to technical expertise. She emphasizes that soft skills are essential to becoming an exceptional developer, serving as complementary to hard skills. Costea, with six years of experience in recruitment and a deep understanding of the tech landscape, highlights several key themes:

- **The Role of Soft Skills**: Soft skills are not just 'nice to have'; they are increasingly crucial in tech roles.
- **Emotional Intelligence Framework**: Introduced by Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence comprises self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management, all vital in today's work environment.
- **Key Soft Skills**: Costea identifies four critical soft skills for developers:
  - **Adaptability**: The ability to adjust to changing conditions without frustration is vital for success.
  - **Empathy**: Understanding the needs of users and team members fosters collaboration and enhances product development.
  - **Teamwork**: Effective teamwork hinges on communication and mutual accountability, especially in remote settings where visual cues are limited.
  - **Inspirational Leadership**: Leaders should inspire their teams through vision, active listening, and knowledge across various domains.

Throughout her presentation, Costea encourages attendees to reflect on their own soft skills and offers a technique called the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to effectively communicate these skills in interviews. She concludes with a poignant metaphor: while IQ is akin to owning a Ferrari, EQ pertains to knowing how to drive it, underscoring the importance of emotional intelligence in professional success. Overall, the core takeaway is that developing soft skills is critical for career advancement and effective collaboration in tech environments.

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