Enhancing Soft Skills for DevOps Engineers: Essential Non-Technical Skills to Thrive
Influencing Persuasion and Leadership
DevOps Story The Loudest Promise
Welcome, DevOps professionals! I’m Michael Forrester. In this lesson, we’ll explore the invisible agreements leaders make with their teams—unwritten commitments of trust, respect, and psychological safety that can build or break high-performing cultures.
Scenario: Enforcing a New Login Policy
A few years ago, I worked as a systems administrator at a rapidly growing startup. HR asked me to standardize local usernames to a formal pattern:
Pattern: first initial + middle initial + last name
Example: Michael J. Forrester → mjforrester
Confident I’d followed the directive, I implemented the change—only to have the CEO storm into my office, climb onto my desk, and yell that my update would “wreck the company.” Despite clear instructions from my boss, I felt blindsided and mortified.
Then Joe, my direct manager, intervened:
“Patrick, this is not how we do things, and you know I asked Michael to make this change. If you have concerns, talk to me.”
His calm defense instantly restored my sense of safety and trust.
The Invisible Agreement
Every leader—by title or by action—enters into an invisible agreement with their team, a shared understanding that includes:
- Psychological safety: You can speak up without fear.
- Mutual respect: Every contribution is valued.
- Trust: Your leader reliably supports you.
- Dignity: Fair treatment, even when mistakes occur.
Note
When this unwritten contract holds, teams innovate and excel. A single breach can erode trust and take months to rebuild—even after apologies.
Fulfilling the Invisible Agreement
Leaders honor this promise through consistent, daily actions. Key practices include:
| Practice | Action | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Communicate openly and honestly | Share decisions, roadmaps, and expectations transparently. | Builds clarity and reduces anxiety. |
| Listen actively and seek feedback | Hold regular one-on-ones and retrospectives. | Encourages continuous improvement. |
| Show empathy | Understand individual motivations and challenges. | Fosters stronger team cohesion. |
| Be consistent and trustworthy | Align your actions with your words and shared values. | Reinforces reliability and integrity. |
| Advocate for your team | Represent team needs in stakeholder meetings. | Demonstrates commitment and support. |
Communicate openly and honestly
Listen actively and seek feedback
Show empathy
Be consistent and trustworthy
Advocate for your team
Warning
Skipping these practices can lead to miscommunication, disengagement, and breakdowns in trust—jeopardizing project delivery and team morale.
Conclusion
The loudest promise isn’t declared in a keynote—it’s honored in every conversation, decision, and action. As a DevOps leader, each choice you make either builds or erodes trust. Commit to these practices to uphold your invisible agreement and foster a culture of respect, safety, and high performance.
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