At StaffMatters, we are increasingly seeing the emergence of Soft Skills as fundamentals in workplace culture in an ever-fluctuating modern work environment. In fact, LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report 2023 highlights that three of the top five skills companies need most fall under the bracket of Soft Skills (Management, Communication and Leadership).
However, before we delve into how and why Soft Skills play a vital role in the workplace, it is first important to dig deep down below the surface and understand just exactly what Soft Skills are and how they came to fruition.
The term “Soft Skills” can be traced back to the late 1960s. While excelling in training troops on how to utilize necessary tools and equipment, United States military leaders also discovered that how a group of soldiers was led was crucial to measuring military success. From 1972, the military formally began utilizing the term “Soft Skills” in training manuals and experts formulated a new definition of the term in which:
“Soft skills are important job-related skills that involve little or no interaction with machines and whose application on the job is quite generalized.”
A more modern definition of the term can be outlined perfectly by The Muse career coaches, Jennifer Smith and Al Dea who respectively outline Soft Skills as “intangible attributes related to how you work” and “focus more on your actual behaviors or habits in work situations.”
Key Soft Skills that are currently in demand are:
- Communication (both verbal and written)
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Emotional Intelligence
- Problem-solving and Critical Thinking
- Adaptability and Resilience
- Time Management
- Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
Of course, it is important to stress that technical expertise does remain essential in most fields and should not be diminished or disregarded. However, employers are increasingly starting to prioritize Soft Skills due to the evolving nature of work which now emphasizes flexibility, emotional intelligence and effective communication.
After all, Soft Skills are becoming increasingly crucial in determining how well individuals and teams collaborate, solve problems and adapt to changing circumstances. For example, organizations operate in cross-functional and diverse teams so strong communication, empathy and conflict-resolution skills are essential to help foster harmony and productivity.
At the same time, leaders with soft skills such as emotional intelligence, adaptability and active listening can inspire and motivate teams more effectively than those relying solely on technical authority. Furthermore, with constant technological advancement and transformations in workplace culture, adaptability and resilience are crucial to employees to keep up with changes.
While there are those who believe that soft skills come naturally and there are those simply born with them, there are a plethora of ways in which companies can help their employees develop and cultivate Soft Skills. For starters, organizations can invest in professional development programs that focus on Soft Skills and mentorship programs in which leaders with strong interpersonal skills can help employees develop their own.
Perhaps most important is the provision of continuous feedback and allowance for self-reflection; encouraging employees to reflect on their experiences and seek feedback in order to foster growth.
At StaffMatters, we understand that Soft Skills are no longer just complementary to “hard skills”. In fact, they are pivotal in guaranteeing success in the workplace with the emergence of a huge shift in working culture. We believe firmly that anyone and everyone has the necessary tools to grow and develop their Soft Skills and our expert recruiters are here every step of the way to help.
