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Human engineering
One of the most coveted characteristic traits an engineer can possess is also one of the most elusive.
W hat is human engineering? It’s an attempt to reinvigorate an overlooked characteristic trait. The most common definition is your ability to lead, communicate, and negotiate. Some call it “soft skills,” or maybe “non-technical skills.” And I hate it. Not the traits themselves, but the terms we use to refer to those traits. They are mentioned so often that they lose their meaning.
Adam Zach GUEST SPEAKER
How many times do you hear the term “soft skills” and immediately disregard it? The message fails to land. That’s why I prefer the more encompassing term “human engineering” instead. As an engineer myself, it’s easier to get caught up in typical engineering duties – applying math and science through design to create things. Human engineering, on the other hand, is separate, but related to engineering, and specifically deals with the people part of the equation. Let’s look at two famous examples: 1)Andrew Carnegie, the Steel King. A true rags-to- riches story, he started off making $1.20 per week in the late 1800s, moved to the railroad industry and made his fortune by ultimately selling his steel company to JP Morgan for $500 million dollars. This is what he wanted on his tombstone: “Here lies a man who was able to surround himself with men
far cleverer than himself.” Was he a smart man? Yes. Technically proficient? Absolutely. But what set him apart? His ability to lead, communicate, and leverage people. “How many times do you hear the term ‘soft skills’ and immediately disregard it? The message fails to land. That’s why I prefer the more encompassing term ‘human engineering’ instead.” 2)Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon. He graduated from Princeton with a degree in computer science and electrical engineering. When asked about the success
See ADAM ZACH, page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER January 7, 2019, ISSUE 1278
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