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You might have heard the phrase “hard skills get you the interview – soft skills get you the job”.   We all know someone who is a whiz at maths or computer programming, and while these hard skills can be very important for specific jobs, soft skills transcend the boundaries of industry.

The term soft skills was initially coined by the US Army in the late 1960s to describe any skill that did not relate to the use of machinery. The army recognised that these social and interpersonal skills played a vital part in leading groups, motivating soldiers, and even winning wars.

In fact, soft skills are more important than ever as we live in a world where machines are taking on more and more of the hard skilled labour. Among the top ten skills that the World Economic Forum predicts will be most in demand this year are critical thinking, emotional intelligence, attention to detail, trustworthiness, time management, leadership and social influence.

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What are soft skills?

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Do not be fooled by the name. Soft skills are not a cute and fluffy ‘nice to have’. They are a set of essential skills that will help you set yourself apart in your personal and professional life.

Soft skills are more to do with who you are than what you know and as such relate more to your emotional and social intelligence than to your intelligent quotient (IQ). These skills will benefit you at every level of your career and are as important for those in entry-level jobs as they are for top-level executives.

Examples of soft skills include:

  • Communication
  • Self-motivation
  • Leadership
  • Responsibility
  • Teamwork
  • Problem solving
  • Decisiveness
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Flexibility
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution

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Why do you need soft skills?

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While schools (and universities) tend to focus on teaching students the hard skills (technical and academic) to pass exams, research shows that soft skills account for as much as 85% of workplace success. The importance of these non-technical skills in a world where tasks are increasingly automated cannot be overstated.

Your soft skills will determine how well you interact with other people and include characteristics such as empathy, understanding and active listening. Having the skills to build positive relationships will help you develop trust and establish yourself as a person of integrity.

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How can soft skills help you in the workplace?

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In the workplace soft skills enable you to effectively communicate with prospective clients, mentor your employees, lead a team and negotiate deals and contracts. While soft skills are more difficult to measure than had skills, workers with well-developed soft skills will see a greater demand for their services in a competitive job market.

Companies that value soft skills are more likely to foster a collaborative spirit among their workers. Encouraging team members to embrace their differences and work together to solve problems will in turn help them achieve higher levels of productivity and efficiency.

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Why do better soft skills equal greater happiness?

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Developing your soft skills will not only reap benefits in the workplace. Well-developed interpersonal and self-management skills will stand you in good stead in all facets of life.

The qualities that help people rise to the top of their careers – good communication, empathy and charisma – can also help you build relationships (both platonic and romantic) in your personal life. When you are open and authentic in your interactions, listen attentively and respect the opinions of others, people will warm more easily to you.

Good social relationships are known to be a key predictor of a happy life and are also associated with better health and longevity.

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How can you improve your soft skills?

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Many people believe that soft skills are simply something that we are born with and that feeling confident in any situation or ‘having the gift of the gab’ comes naturally to some lucky individuals. The truth is that we can all learn the skills to communicate better, network effectively and adapt our behaviour to different circumstances.

Another myth is that you have to be an extravert to be good at soft skills. Communication does not just involve talking a lot, it is also important to listen well to others and responding to people in a way that makes them feel heard and respected.

Our courses are designed to teach you the soft skills you need to build a successful and rewarding career. These skills will also benefit your personal relationships by helping you relate better to other people. If you want to find out more, contact us today to set up a no-obligation telephone call or Zoom meeting with one of our expert advisers.

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