What are soft skills? Definition, types & development
Soft skills are essential in today’s workplace. Unlike hard skills, which are technical abilities specific to a job role, soft skills enable effective collaboration and problem-solving.
For HR leaders, understanding both soft and hard skills is crucial. This knowledge allows you to build well-rounded teams that excel in all aspects of their roles. In fact, investing in soft skills training can lead to a 30% higher employee retention rate and a 50% increase in employee engagement.
Improving people managers’ understanding of soft skills is a top learning and development strategy for organizations that want to stay proactive.
This article will explore the importance of soft skills, examine common types, and highlight their relevance across various industries. It will also cover strategies for encouraging employees to develop these skills and how HR managers can effectively measure their success.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills are interpersonal and behavioral traits that shape how employees interact, collaborate, and solve problems in the workplace.
Hard skills are job-specific technical abilities, but soft skills are transferable qualities that apply across roles and industries. HR managers use soft skills to assess how candidates fit into a team and contribute to a positive work environment.
Examples include communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving. A candidate with strong communication skills is likely to present good ideas and navigate conflicts, while adaptability is essential in fast-changing environments and helps promote agile transformation.
These skills often determine an employee’s ability to lead, build relationships, and drive collaboration. When HR leaders identify and work on building soft skills, it ensures stronger team cohesion, higher engagement, and improved employee retention rates.
Why are soft skills crucial in the workplace?
Technical know-how can get the job done, but soft skills ensure the work gets done well.
In modern workplaces, success depends on how employees communicate, collaborate, and adapt to challenges. Soft skills, such as empathy, leadership, and emotional intelligence, are more important today than before.
The global soft skills training market is projected to grow by $315.6 million in 2024, with a CAGR of 50.98% from 2023 to 2028. This is a marked shift from two decades ago when technical skills were often prioritized.
Understanding and prioritizing these traits is essential for anyone shaping effective teams and workplace culture.
HR leaders are key to identifying individuals who can thrive in diverse teams and contribute to a positive workplace culture. For this reason, they need to be well-versed and up-to-date with the latest soft skills developments.
The most important aspects of soft skills are:
- Interpersonal connections: Soft skills are how you interact with others, helping build strong, collaborative relationships.
- Flexibility in change: Soft skills allow you to adapt to new situations and handle unexpected challenges.
- Creative problem-solving: Soft skills help you think critically and find solutions when faced with uncertainty.
When HR leaders champion soft skills, they lay the foundation for a workplace where technical abilities and human connections work hand in hand.
Common types of soft skills
Now that you understand what soft skills are and why they are crucial in the modern workplace, it’s time to examine the different types of soft skills.
Doing so will give you the familiarity and confidence to identify and develop these skills in yourself and your team.
Let’s take a look at some common types of soft skills:
Communication skills
Effective communication is about making sure your message is clear and understood. Whether you’re explaining a concept, giving feedback, or listening to others, good communication keeps things running. It’s the backbone of teamwork and problem-solving. A simple, clear conversation can prevent misunderstandings and build stronger connections. In modern workplaces, communicating well is a top priority, especially when working remotely or with diverse teams.
Adaptability
Adaptability means adjusting to new situations without losing momentum. This could be learning a new tool, changing working habits, or responding to shifting priorities. Fast-paced environments are full of constant change, and those who can quickly pivot and remain calm under pressure are the ones who succeed. Being adaptable shows resilience and a willingness to grow, which is essential in a constantly changing workplace.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence helps us recognize and manage our emotions and understand others. It helps navigate complex interactions, resolve conflicts, and build trust. In a team setting, being aware of how others feel and responding with empathy leads to more impactful relationships. Leaders with high emotional intelligence motivate their teams, handle stress better, and promote a positive work environment, which is needed for employee-focused success.
Creativity
Creativity is about finding new solutions to old problems. It’s not just about thinking differently but applying that thinking to real-world challenges. In the workplace, creative thinkers bring fresh ideas, drive innovation, and improve processes. Whether designing a new product or devising a marketing strategy, creativity helps businesses stand out and stay competitive.
Empathy
Empathy is understanding and sharing the feelings of others. It helps create a supportive and positive environment where people feel valued. When empathy is applied, it helps build trust and strengthen relationships. Empathetic leaders are often seen as more loyal and can motivate their teams with more impact. Empathy also plays a big role in conflict resolution, ensuring that all perspectives are heard and respected.
Soft skills by industry
Now that you understand the different types of soft skills, the next step is to look at how they are applied in various industries.
Knowing this information is important because it helps you recognize their value more specifically and tailor your approach to different work environments.
HR leaders often have a roster of diverse roles to fill, and understanding how soft skills vary across industries allows them to identify the right traits for each position.
Let’s take a look at soft skills by industry:
HR
This list starts with HR because we feel it’s one of the most important areas where soft skills have a direct and lasting impact on an organization’s success. In HR, strong communication, emotional intelligence, and empathy shape the workplace. Communication ensures that policies are clearly explained and expectations are set, while emotional intelligence helps HR leaders navigate sensitive issues with care.
For example, an HR manager who listens actively and empathizes with an employee can resolve concerns quickly, building a supportive culture.
IT
For IT professionals, adaptability, problem-solving, and collaboration are key. Technology is always evolving, so adaptability is necessary to keep up with rapid changes. Problem-solving allows IT teams to troubleshoot and fix issues swiftly, while collaboration ensures effective teamwork across departments.
Consider an IT team implementing a new system—successful collaboration leads to smoother transitions and fewer technical hiccups.
Marketing
Creativity, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence drive marketing success. Creativity sparks fresh, engaging campaigns, and strategic thinking ensures those campaigns align with the company’s goals. Emotional intelligence helps marketers connect with audiences on a deeper level, building lasting brand loyalty.
For instance, a creative marketing team might craft a viral campaign that resonates emotionally, boosting awareness and sales.
Customer service
Empathy and conflict resolution are crucial in customer service. Empathy allows agents to connect with customers on an emotional level, ensuring they feel heard and valued, and conflict resolution enables agents to handle difficult situations calmly and effectively.
For example, an empathetic customer service rep can resolve a complaint smoothly, turning a frustrated customer into a satisfied one.
Sales
Confidence, negotiation, and time management are crucial for sales teams negotiating deals. They ensure they present products with assurance and secure favorable terms. Confidence helps salespeople present their products, and negotiation skills ensure they can close deals that benefit both parties. Time management is becoming more important for sales teams as they
prioritize leads and follow-ups.
A salesperson who manages their time well can pursue multiple opportunities without missing deadlines or letting prospects slip through the cracks.
How to encourage employees to acquire and develop soft skills
The nature of soft skills is in constant flux, making it essential for employees to engage in learning and practice.
This is easier said than done, given that soft skills are often more abstract and harder to measure than technical abilities.
However, there are ways to encourage employees to develop soft skills in the workplace that enable continuous improvement through practice, feedback, and real-life scenarios.
Let’s take a look at how to encourage employees to acquire and develop soft skills:
Practice active listening
Encouraging active listening helps employees understand their colleagues’ perspectives and strengthens communication. Provide training on listening techniques, such as paraphrasing or summarizing, to ensure comprehension.
For example, during meetings, employees can practice repeating key points to confirm understanding. This simple act reduces misunderstandings and creates a more respectful and uniquely collaborative work environment.
Engage in teamwork
Teamwork is one of the top soft skills that helps us develop collaboration and problem-solving skills. Encourage employees to participate in group projects or team-building activities inside and outside the office.
For instance, organizing cross-departmental workshops can help employees from different areas work together, broadening their perspectives on participative leadership. They develop trust, adaptability, and conflict-resolution abilities through teamwork, all critical soft skills.
Seek constructive feedback
Creating a culture of feedback allows employees always to improve their soft skills. Inspire regular check-ins and open dialogue with managers or peers.
For example, a manager might provide feedback on an employee’s communication style during a project review. Receiving constructive feedback helps employees identify areas for growth and refine their leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
How can HR leaders assess soft skills?
A huge part of implementing soft skills in your employees’ workflow is assessing how they improve communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Observe day-to-day interactions
HR leaders can assess soft skills by observing how employees interact in daily situations. Are they collaborative in meetings? Do they communicate effectively with colleagues? Watching these natural exchanges provides valuable insights into their communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, helping HR identify areas for growth.
Use 360-degree assessments
Performance appraisals, like a 360-degree assessment, allow HR leaders to gather feedback from multiple sources—peers, supervisors, and direct reports. This approach gives a comprehensive view of an employee’s soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and adaptability. HR can use this data to identify strengths and target specific areas for development in training programs.
Monitor team performance
HR leaders can assess soft skills by tracking team performance in group projects. If a team works well, it’s often due to strong collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Reviewing project outcomes and team dynamics helps HR gauge how well employees apply soft skills and where further development is needed.
Perform behavioral interviews
Behavioral interviews allow HR leaders to assess soft skills by asking candidates or employees about past experiences. Questions like “Tell me about a time you resolved a conflict” can reveal key skills such as conflict resolution, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. This approach helps HR leaders identify individuals with strong interpersonal abilities.
Develop soft skills to build a resilient workforce
We all know that company culture has become a defining factor for success, and soft skills are at the heart of it.
Over the past twenty years, the importance of soft skills—such as communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence—has grown significantly. Their importance is evident, with 75% of employers considering soft skills like communication and teamwork as critical as technical skills.
HR managers have a real opportunity to invest in their team’s growth through ongoing soft skills training.
Doing so builds a workforce that can collaborate, problem-solve, and thrive no matter what the future holds.