You can't be a good tech without being a good person

I suppose I have always subliminally known this as tech supervisor: one can't really be a good technician without being a good person. 

When we think of effective technical workers, we usually think of those with knowledge, skill set, education, experience, and even some degree of wisdom. We think of techs working with machines and code, not with other people. The stereotypical "techie" is often depicted as nerdy or antisocial.

Our district uses an independent survey tool to measure a number of technology-related efforts. At a recent meeting, the perception the timeliness and effectiveness of our technical services was shared quantitatively.

We were viewed as average. Sigh.

This finding surprised me. I am very fortunate to work with what I consider a talented, responsive, and highly skilled group of technicians. Like most school district tech departments, we are understaffed by business standards, but we work very hard and do a good job.

At our biweekly staff meetings we share technical information, ask questions, clarify processes and procedures, plan projects, and get updates. Standard stuff. But after learning of our "average" rating, I've decided that we need to add some soft skills to our full quiver of hard skills.

How can we become more empathetic? How can we show kindness? How can we better communicate? How can we inform and instruct without making others feel dumb or incompetent? How do we become more culturally proficient? How can we identify and truly believe in our important role in the education of our students?

How can all of us become better techs by becoming better people?