Bach Seat

You need soft skills. Businesses need employees to work as a team. This makes the ability to have positive interactions with co-workers just as valuable as technical skills. 97% of employers say that these skills are either as important or more important than hard skills As a result, businesses are looking for workers who possess the ability to work in teams that are multidisciplinary, geographically and/or cultural dispersed.

The skills required to have positive interactions with co-workers are often called soft skills. A soft skill is a personal attribute that supports situational awareness and enhances an individual’s ability to get a job done. Soft skills are often used as a synonym for people skills or emotional intelligence. Unlike hard skills, which describe a person’s technical ability to perform a specifically defined task, soft skills are broadly applicable across job titles and industries. It’s often said that while hard skills might get someone an interview, soft skills will help that person get (and keep) the job.

Soft skills that are in demand

It is important for individuals to continue to build their technical expertise, but developing soft skills can ultimately set you apart in the workplace and lead to long-term success. When an employee has good communication and interpersonal skills, they are more likely to be able to clearly articulate goals and lead a team in a positive manner. Here are several examples of soft skills that company leaders value:

• Time management is the skill to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. For example, a time manager can balance competing demands or priorities. They use tools or strategies to manage their time and avoid stress. Here are some examples of time management skills:
  • Delegation
  • Goal-setting
  • Planning
• Emotional intelligence is the skill to recognize and manage emotions in yourself and others. An emotionally intelligent employee can empathize with customers or colleagues. They can control their impulses or emotions in stressful situations. Here are some of the skills emotionally intelligent people display:
  • Empathy
  • Self-awareness
  • Social skills
• Communication is the ability to convey or share ideas and feelings effectively with colleagues, clients and stakeholders. The ability to communicate well is especially important when working in the new hybrid work environment. It is among the top soft skills employers require across all fields. The most common communication skills are:
  • Active listening
  • Verbal
  • Nonverbal
  • Visual
• Adaptability is the skill to change according to the situation. An adaptable employee can cope with uncertainty and ambiguity. They can switch from working on one project to another without losing focus or efficiency. They can learn new skills or tools quickly. Here are some examples of adaptability skills:
  • Analysis
  • Flexibility
  • Growth mindset
• Problem-solving is the ability to analytically and creatively solve problems which will come in handy no matter your job. After all, there’s no job in the world where you won’t have any problems to deal with. That is why creative problem-solvers are always in high demand. Some soft skills associated with problem-solving are:
  • Analysis
  • Brainstorming
  • Decision making
  • Logical reasoning
• Teamwork involves the ability to work with others toward a shared goal. In the workplace, good teamwork can help to foster creativity and innovation because it encourages members to share ideas, brainstorm new solutions and collaborate on new initiatives. Working as part of a collaborative team can also enhance job satisfaction and contribute to a positive work environment. Some teamwork skills are:
  • Collaboration
  • Conflict resolution
  • Delegation

Other soft skills include: Creativity, Critical thinking, Leadership, Negotiation, Self-awareness, and Resilience.

Why soft skills matter

Soft skills are not only important for your success, but also for organizational performance. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, about 85% of executives said they have seen an increase in the demand for soft skills over the past five years. Moreover, the report found that companies with higher levels of soft skills perform better on key metrics such as revenue growth (up to 67% higher), profitability (up to 35% higher), innovation (up to 59% more likely), employee satisfaction (up to 44% higher), and customer loyalty (up to 45% higher).

How to develop soft skills

Soft skills can be learned through coaching, mentoring, podcasts, or blogs. However, the most effective way to develop soft skills is through practice and feedback. In order to practice and improve your soft skills, you can follow these tips:

– Seek opportunities to apply your soft skills in different contexts. This will help you to enhance your situational awareness and adaptability. For example, you can join a club or organization that interests you, like your local PMI chapter and volunteer for a project that involves work outside your comfort zone.

– Perform a personal 360 review of your soft skills. You can identify your strengths and areas of improvement from others’ perspectives. You can ask your manager, colleagues, friends, or family members how they perceive your communication style; how you handle conflict or stress; or how you cope with change or uncertainty.

– Learn from others who have strong soft skills. This will help you
to acquire new strategies or techniques. For example, you can observe how they interact with others; ask them questions about their strategies or techniques; or seek their advice or guidance on specific issues or challenges.

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It is time to stop calling them soft – these are hard skills to master. I just watched an excellent webinar from David Barrett “Taking Our PM Careers to the Next Level” on ProjectManagement.com where he talks about the soft skills roles in moving forward in today’s business environment. By developing your soft skills, you can enhance your personal and professional growth; increase your employability and project management career prospects.

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Related article

• Soft Skills: The Ultimate Force Multiplier for IT (InformationWeek)

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.