The importance of soft skills development for a thriving career and working environment

These days a degree or technical skills are not the only prerequisites potential employers will consider when hiring. In today’s competitive job market, a good command of soft skills is key to achieving success in the workplace.

But don’t just take our word for it! According to the World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2023, analytical thinking (1), creative thinking (2), leadership and social influence (4), curiosity and lifelong learning (6), motivation and self-awareness (9) and empathy and active listening (10) are all in the top business skill priority list for 2027.

Hard skills vs soft skills

Hard skills are the specific, measurable abilities or knowledge an individual needs to have to meet the requirements of their job role. Whereas soft skills refer to a combination of personal attributes, interpersonal abilities and social skills that enable individuals to effectively communicate, collaborate and adapt within a work environment.

Soft and hard skills are both highly valued, and possessing a combination of the two is essential for maximising professional success.

What abilities count as soft skills?

Soft skills are transferable and can be applied to various roles regardless of what industry an individual works in. These skills include:

• Adaptability
• Communication
• Emotional intelligence
• Leadership
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Time management
• And more…

Why are soft skills important?

Soft skills contribute to personal and professional success in various ways. They help individuals to communicate more effectively with colleagues and stakeholders, building stronger team relationships and creating a more collaborative working environment.

A strong foundation of soft skills prepares individuals to take on leadership roles, guiding and motivating others. This fosters a more positive and inclusive workplace culture from the top-down, leading to higher employee satisfaction and performance.

Learn more about our professional skills workshops

Help your teams learn essential soft skills with our new professional skills workshops. There are over 30 different workshops available to attend in-person or virtually covering topics including: practical coaching and mentoring, mastering communication skills, and conflict resolution. Each of which will take no more than 4 hours to complete.

Download our complete course catalogue to learn more about the workshops available, or request a quote from the team.