Last updated on Aug 10, 2024

You're struggling to connect with software developers. How can you build lasting professional relationships?

Building professional relationships with software developers can seem daunting, but it's essential for successful collaboration in software design. Understanding their world, communicating effectively, and demonstrating genuine interest in their work are key factors in fostering these connections. Whether you're in project management, a fellow developer, or a stakeholder, knowing how to engage with developers can make a significant difference in the productivity and success of your projects.

1 Understand Devs

To connect with software developers, it's crucial to understand their environment and challenges. Developers often work under tight deadlines and may juggle multiple projects simultaneously. They value clear, concise communication and respect for their time and expertise. By demonstrating your understanding of their workload and the complexity of their tasks, you can build rapport and trust. It's also beneficial to familiarize yourself with basic programming concepts and terminology to facilitate smoother conversations and show that you value their skill set.

Add your perspective

Vijay P.

IT Services Consultant at WeblineGlobal | Empowering Business Success through Strategic Solutions and Expert IT Insights
Report contribution
Building lasting professional relationships with software developers involves clear and open communication. Actively listen to their perspectives and provide constructive feedback. Show appreciation for their work and recognize their contributions. Engage in collaborative problem-solving and involve them in decision-making processes. Foster a supportive environment by being approachable and offering help when needed. Regularly check in to build trust and maintain a positive rapport.

Like

2 Speak Their Language

Effective communication with developers means speaking their language. This doesn't require you to become a coding expert, but learning the basics of the languages and tools they use can go a long way. For example, knowing the difference between front-end and back-end development, or what constitutes an API (Application Programming Interface), can help you ask more informed questions and understand their explanations. This effort shows respect for their expertise and helps bridge the gap between technical and non-technical realms.

Add your perspective

Ivan Klyzhenko

Techstars Mentor | Fractional CPO | Mother of Dragons 🐲 | Helped to grow 41 successful B2B SaaS businesses in 3 years via efficient product planning and UI/UX design
Report contribution
To build lasting relationships with software developers, speak their language by understanding their challenges and needs. Show genuine interest in their work, offer valuable insights, and provide solutions that address their specific pain points. This personalized approach fosters trust and collaboration, making it easier to connect and build strong professional bonds.

Like

3 Share Goals

Aligning on common goals is a powerful way to connect with developers. Discuss how the software design aligns with the broader objectives of the project or company, and how their contributions are vital to success. When developers understand the impact of their work beyond just writing code, they feel more invested in the project's outcome. This shared sense of purpose fosters collaboration and mutual respect, which are the foundations of any strong professional relationship.

Add your perspective

4 Offer Support

Offering support to software developers can take many forms, from providing the right tools and resources to ensuring they have a conducive work environment. Acknowledge the importance of uninterrupted 'deep work' time for coding and problem-solving. Be an advocate for their needs, whether that means defending project timelines to allow for quality work or facilitating professional development opportunities. When developers see that you're invested in their well-being and growth, they're more likely to view you as a reliable ally.

Add your perspective

5 Value Feedback

Encouraging and valuing feedback from software developers is essential for building lasting relationships. Developers often have unique insights into potential issues or improvements due to their intimate knowledge of the codebase. Create an environment where their opinions are not only heard but actively sought out. This could involve regular check-ins or retrospective meetings where developers can share their thoughts. When you act on their feedback, it reinforces their value to the team and encourages open communication.

Add your perspective

6 Celebrate Success

Finally, celebrating successes, both big and small, is important for nurturing a positive relationship with developers. Recognizing achievements like meeting a project milestone or implementing a challenging feature can greatly boost morale. It's not just about acknowledging the end result but also appreciating the hard work and creativity that went into it. Celebrations can be simple gestures like a team lunch or public recognition in a meeting. These moments of appreciation can solidify your bond with developers and contribute to a lasting professional relationship.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Prathana Gunawat

MS IT 2024 Grad @UMass Boston | Software Developer Actively Seeking Full-Time Opportunities | Full Stack Developer
Report contribution
Don’t hesitate to ask for explanations or clarifications when you don't understand something. Developers appreciate clarity and the opportunity to explain complex topics.

Like
Igor Leal

Senior Full Stack Developer
Report contribution
Believe it or not, developers are human too! 😄 We might seem a bit reserved/closed at first, but with a little patience and kindness, you'll find that most of us warm up over time. Just give it a chance and keep the conversation going — you might be surprised by how much we open up. As a developer myself, I sometimes find it challenging to connect right away, but once I get more comfortable, I often end up building really nice relationships that lasts even outside the work environment too.

Like
Matt Vegas

Expert Frontend Developer | React, Angular, TypeScript Specialist | Solving Complex Frontend Challenges | Empowering Businesses with Innovative Solutions | Bridging Technology and Business Success 🚀
Report contribution
There is a video of Steve Jobs talking about teams and how the strongest teams aren't grown overnight, they're developed over time. When it comes to developers, organizations invest quite a bit into them so they should think of them as long term investments. Allow them to fail and grow, coach them, mentor them, show them they're a long term investment and set them up to succeed, they'll often reciprocate the respect by being engaged and focused. The input often corresponds to the output. If they're managed in a stressful way, they're under pressure and managed poorly, they'll respond as being under pressure and perform poorly. If they're respected and managed well, they'll respond with respect and perform well. Input === Output.

Like

Software Design

Rate this article

We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?

It’s great It’s not so great

Report this article

See all

You're struggling to connect with software developers. How can you build lasting professional relationships?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand Devs

2 Speak Their Language

3 Share Goals

4 Offer Support

5 Value Feedback

6 Celebrate Success

7 Here’s what else to consider

Software Design

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Software Design

More relevant reading

You're struggling to connect with software developers. How can you build lasting professional relationships?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand Devs

2 Speak Their Language

3 Share Goals

4 Offer Support

5 Value Feedback

6 Celebrate Success

7 Here’s what else to consider

Software Design

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills