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Ever wondered why some people excel in the workplace while others, with the same level of technical skills or 'hard skills,' struggle?
The secret is something called 'soft skills.'
These supernatural abilities allow us to play well with others in the sandbox we call the workplace.
In this modern workplace, the importance of soft skills becomes even more apparent when we look at some key statistics. According to the Gallup State of the American Workplace Report…
​Topic | Statistic | Source |
Engagement at Work | Only 33% of employees are engaged at work | Gallup State of the American Workplace Report |
Remote Work | 43% of employees work remotely in some capacity | Gallup State of the American Workplace Report |
Job Switching for Flexibility | 51% of employees would switch to a job that allows them flextime | Gallup State of the American Workplace Report |
Performance Reviews | Only 14% of employees strongly agree that the performance reviews they receive inspire them to improve. | Gallup State of the American Workplace Report |
Manager Feedback | Only 26% of employees strongly agree that the feedback they receive helps them do their work better. | Gallup State of the American Workplace Report |
This table summarizes the key statistics on the importance of soft skills in the workplace.
These statistics highlight those soft skills' crucial role in employee engagement, adaptability, and receptiveness to feedback, further solidifying their status as the secret to winning in the workplace.
So, let's dive in!
Decoding Soft Skills
So, what exactly are soft skills?
They're a mix of people skills, social skills, communication skills, and specific character traits and attitudes. They're the emotional and social intelligence quotients that help you navigate your environment, work well with others, and achieve your goals.
We're talking about skills like attitude, communication, work ethic, teamwork, leadership, time management, decision-making, conflict resolution, critical thinking, networking, empathy, and problem-solving.
These might sound like a mouthful, but trust us, they're the gears that keep the workplace engine running smoothly.
Why Soft Skills Matter More
In this age, soft skills are not just 'nice-to-haves', they're 'need-to-haves.'
According to LinkedIn's Global Talent Trends report, 92% of talent acquisition professionals reported that soft skills are equally or more important to hire than hard skills.
And here's the kicker - 89% said they need to gain these critical soft skills when a new hire doesn't work out.
Soft Skills: The Game Changer for Organizational Success
Soft skills are the secret sauce that can take your organization from good to great. They foster creative and critical thinking, essential for introducing fresh ideas, services, and products.
Teamwork and communication are also vital for organizational success. Gallup's State of the American Workplace report shows most employees believe their organization's task performance would improve if their teams worked more collaboratively.
And let's remember compassion. Teams succeed when the members trust that their authority cares about them.
Research indicates that businesses led by empathetic and understanding leaders tend to outperform in team collaboration.
How to Spot Soft Skills in Your Candidates
Now, the million-dollar question is - how do you spot these soft skills when hiring?
Behavior-based interview questions can help you identify the soft skills of a candidate.
Communication skills show whether a candidate will fit well within an organization. Observe whether the candidate listens and pays attention to the interviewer during an interview.
Remember to check with references. A candidate's job references can provide an open window into the sort of person they are at work.
Wrapping Up
In a nutshell, soft skills in the workplace are more important now than ever.
They allow organizations to effectively use their technical skills and knowledge without being restricted by interpersonal issues, infighting, and poor public and market perceptions.
Recruiting for the right mix of soft skills takes an estimated and strategic approach. It requires time and patience.
So, don't just look at the hard skills next time you hire. Dig deeper. Look for those soft skills. They could take your organization to new heights.
Remember, in the modern business landscape, it's not just about what you understand but how you apply it and interact with others.
That's the real game-changer!