Where Devils and Details Dwell

If the devil is in the details, which details are most likely his home, the technical ones or those requiring soft skills?

The safe guess is the latter because, in addition to their inherent problems, they are more likely to lead to technical problems.

Another reason is that the soft skill problems are less likely to be scrutinized. A team of technicians will crawl over an aircraft before it taxis down the runway but no one is checking the pilot. Likewise, we are prone to examine all of the various technical points of a project while downplaying the people problems that can just as easily foil success.

Some of the common areas of neglect are:

• Debilitating lapses in according courtesy and respect;


• Failing to share information;


• Assuming that others are handling certain responsibilities;


• Subtle retaliation because of past offenses;


• Turf wars;


• Lack of recognition;


• Hubris; and


• Fatique.

Reportedly the most dangerous part of a car journey is the last mile or so before one reaches home. At that stage, fatigue and "automatic pilot" can kick in. Focus shifts to what will be done upon arrival and less attention is paid to the journey itself. Attention fades and then Bam!

The final stage of a team project is where the neglect of soft skills will be felt, often painfully. That is the exact time when extra care should be taken to be attentive, courteous, and respectful. It is to be expected that the team players will be tired and testy.

That's why extra doses of kindness, combined with rest breaks, pay off tremendously when the goal looms in the near distance.