The Power of Soft Skills in the Workplace

Soft skills in the workplace are becoming increasingly sought after. LinkedIn’s report found that 92% of talent professionals consider soft skills equally or more important than hard skills.

Due to the nature of soft skills, it isn’t as easy to test them. You may hire someone with an outstanding resume, only to realize down the line that they lack creativity, leadership, and adaptability. In fact, the same LinkedIn report found that 89% of new hires don’t work out due to a lack of soft skills. How much do you know about them?

What Are Soft Skills? Defining This Critical Job Skill Set

Soft skills are someone’s personal attributes, such as communication and creativity. These determine how someone interacts with others and handles situations. Though they’re non-technical, soft skills in the workplace are equally as important as hard skills. They aren’t taught in a classroom, but they can be coached and encouraged.

In contrast, hard skills are the technical knowledge and abilities that are specific to a job. Examples include foreign language fluency, programming, or Microsoft Excel proficiency. Employers can usually measure hard skills as they’re learnable and improve with practice.

5 Examples of Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Adaptability, Creativity & Problem-Solving

Let’s discuss five examples of soft skills. Each has its own attributes that make these valuable soft skills in the workforce.

1. Communication – Good communication includes speaking, listening, and writing clearly. These employees can share information coherently and have constructive conversations with colleagues. Nowadays this extends to clear communication on online platforms.

    

2. Teamwork – Teamwork skills allow employees to collaborate well with others. This soft skill is essential in group settings and for building a strong company culture. These employees can resolve conflicts and share responsibilities while respecting their colleagues.

    

3. Adaptability – Adaptable employees easily adjust to change and accept new responsibilities. They will thrive in dynamic work environments and can pivot when organizational needs suddenly shift. In today’s rapidly shifting workforce, employers need adaptable employees.

    

4. Creativity – Creative soft skills help drive innovation and thinking outside the box. A creative employee will motivate others in a team, leading to increased productivity. This soft skill in the workplace can help a company stand out in an otherwise tech-driven market.

    

5. Problem-Solving – Good problem-solving skills give a person the ability to analyze a situation logically and deliver creative solutions. These employees overcome obstacles without feeling overwhelmed and can still focus on the company’s main objectives at the same time.

Read for more soft skills, a deeper explanation of why they’re important, and suggestions on how to measure them.

How Employers Identify and Assess Soft Skills in Job Candidates

But if you can’t easily test soft skills, how can employers identify and assess them in job candidates? It’s hard because soft skills are interpersonal and transferable across jobs and industries. Nonetheless, there are ways to recognize them in candidates.

• Ask behavioral interview questions – They may have the relevant degree or past work experience, but you want to grasp how your candidate would perform in certain circumstances. By asking well-worded questions, you can learn about who they are as an individual. For example:

• When have you completed a difficult task in a team setting?
• Have you ever had to resolve a problem or complaint while thinking on your feet? How did you do it?
• What negative feedback or criticism have you received in the workplace and how did you react to it or what did you take from it?

• Observe their mannerisms – A candidate with good soft skills will likely exhibit certain mannerisms during an interview. Always be mindful that interviews are stressful situations and can be especially difficult for introverted people. Some things to look out for include:

• The candidate can maintain eye contact and display active listening by connecting with you when you’re talking.
• The candidate doesn’t interrupt you mid-sentence and listens until you finish a thought. You also don’t want someone who doesn’t know when to stop talking.
• The candidate answers with relevant information and isn’t evasive when they don’t know how to answer something.

• Check references – You can also turn to references to gain an understanding of someone’s personality and soft skills in the workplace. They can provide anecdotes and character references to paint a clearer picture of the candidate.

Developing Soft Skills in the Workplace Through Training and Mentorship

Savvy employers seek to foster a culture of continuous learning. Constant training and development are the key to remaining agile and competitive. As an employer, you should be investing in strengthening employee soft skills in the workplace.

Encourage employees to complete soft skill training courses. They can access them online and complete them at their own pace. You can also conduct role-playing exercises where employees act out scenarios. This is more engaging and means they can learn from each other.

Mentorship is another route to developing soft skills. It’s particularly useful for entry-level employees who can gain a lot from senior expertise. Job shadowing or even job swapping is another way to get employees engaging with unfamiliar teams and implementing different skills.

You should also always be monitoring and evaluating your employees. Offer constructive feedback and criticism to show that you’re invested in their development.

In Conclusion

While both hard and soft skills are important, there’s been more of an emphasis on soft skills in the workforce in recent years. AI and technology are automating many roles across different industries. While technology can replicate some tasks, it’s the human characteristics that make all the difference.

Companies need employees who can think on their feet and adapt to rapidly advancing technology. They should be able to embrace change and input their own creativity and innovative ideas. This is the way that companies can remain competitive and stand out from the rest. Soft skills in the workplace are crucial to stay ahead of the curb.