What are Soft skills? | Meaning & Definition | Akrivia HCM

What are soft skills?

Soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how you work and interact with other people. They are often called interpersonal skills or people skills.

Importance of soft skills

They are important for success in the workplace because they help you:

• Build relationships: They help you build relationships with your colleagues, clients, and customers. Strong relationships can lead to opportunities for collaboration, support, and growth.
• Communicate effectively: They help you communicate effectively with others, both verbally and in writing. This is essential for getting your point across, building trust, and resolving conflicts.
• Solve problems: They help you identify and solve problems effectively. This is essential for making sound decisions and achieving your goals.
• Work well as part of a team: They help you work well as part of a team. This is essential for collaborating with others, sharing information, and achieving common goals.

They are important for success in the workplace. By developing your soft skills, you can improve your communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. This will make you a more valuable employee and help you achieve your career goals.

Types of soft skills

There are many different types of soft skills, but some of the most common include:

• Communication

The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. This includes being able to listen actively, understand others’ perspectives, and clearly articulate your own ideas.

• Teamwork

The ability to work effectively with others, even when you have different opinions or goals. This includes being able to collaborate, compromise, and resolve conflicts.

• Problem-solving

The ability to identify and solve problems effectively. This includes being able to think critically, gather information, and generate creative solutions.

• Critical thinking

The ability to think critically and make sound decisions. This includes being able to analyze information, identify assumptions, and evaluate arguments.

• Decision-making

The ability to make decisions that are in the best interests of the team or organization. This includes being able to weigh options, consider consequences, and communicate decisions effectively.

• Leadership

The ability to lead and motivate others. This includes being able to set a vision, delegate tasks, and build trust.

• Adaptability

The ability to adapt to change and new situations. This includes being able to be flexible, learn new things, and handle unexpected challenges.

• Resilience

The ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. This includes being able to maintain a positive attitude, stay motivated, and learn from mistakes.

• Emotional intelligence

The ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. This includes being able to be self-aware, empathetic, and able to handle difficult conversations.

Here are some additional soft skills that are becoming increasingly important in the workplace:

• Creativity: The ability to think creatively and come up with new ideas is also becoming increasingly important, as businesses need to be able to innovate in order to stay ahead of the competition.
• Intercultural communication: The ability to communicate effectively with people from different cultures is becoming increasingly important, as businesses become more globalized.
• Digital literacy: The ability to use technology effectively is also becoming increasingly important, as businesses rely more and more on technology.

How can I improve my soft skills?

Here are some specific tips for improving specific soft skills:

• Pay attention to your own behavior: Pay attention to how you communicate, interact with others, and solve problems. This will help you identify areas where you can improve.
• Seek feedback: Ask your friends, family, or colleagues for feedback on your soft skills. This can help you identify areas where you need to improve.
• Practice: The best way to develop is to practice. Put yourself in situations where you need to use your soft skills, and then reflect on how you did.
• Take classes: There are many classes available that can teach you specific soft skills, such as communication or leadership.
• Read books: There are many books available that can teach you.
• Get involved: Get involved in activities that will help you develop your soft skills, such as volunteering or joining a club.

Differences between hard and soft skills?

Hard skills are technical skills that can be learned through education or training. They are often specific to a particular job or industry. Soft skills, on the other hand, are personal qualities that relate to how you work and interact with other people. They are often called interpersonal skills or people skills.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between hard vs soft skills:

Both hard and soft skills are important for success in the workplace. However, soft skills are becoming increasingly important as the workplace becomes more complex and demanding. Hard skills can be learned, but soft skills are often more difficult to develop. By developing your soft skills, you can become a more valuable employee and increase your chances of success in the workplace.