Soft skills

What are soft skills?

Soft skills are a set of social, emotional and interpersonal capabilities that allow people to collaborate and communicate effectively with others. Unlike hard skills, which are technical and tend to be related to a specific job or task, soft skills are intangible skills that cannot be measured in the same way.

Soft Skills vs. hard skills: What are the differences?

The main difference between soft skills and hard skills lies in their nature and application. While hard skills are tangible, quantifiable, and specific to a profession or job role, soft skills are universal and can be used in any number of situations.

Another big difference lies in how the two skill sets are acquired. Although it is true that there are programs or courses available to develop soft skills, they are generally developed through experience and social interaction. Hard skills, on the other hand, are earned through academic training and professional practice.

The purpose of the two skill sets is another big differentiator. Soft skills help to improve the way people behave and relate to their professional environment. Hard skills, on the other hand, seek to improve a person’s capacity to perform a specific task.

Finally, hard skills are easily measurable. Soft skills, on the other hand, tend to be more difficult to evaluate, since there is no objective way to measure leadership capacity or empathy for example.

Examples of soft skills

There are many soft skills that an individual can develop, but some of the most important demanded by companies include:

Communication

This is the ability to express ideas clearly and effectively. It is an essential skill in any environment and involves listening actively, asking relevant questions, and conveying messages coherently.

Teamwork

People with good soft team skills can contribute constructively, resolve conflicts, and help to achieve common goals. Collaboration and cooperation go hand-in-hand with teamwork and are fundamentally useful qualities in the workplace.

Empathy

This Soft Skill involves understanding and showing interest in the feelings and needs of others. It is an essential skill in job roles that require interaction with clients, colleagues or patients.

Critical thinking

This skill refers to the ability to analyze information, make informed decisions, and solve problems effectively. One of the most highly valued soft skills in any profession or job.

Time management

Effective time management is key to being more productive. Organization and planning are important transferable components of this skill.

Resilience

Finally, resilience is one of the most vital skills to possess in the face of constant change within the professional world. A resilient person recovers quickly from adversity and knows how to maintain a positive approach in various situations.

According to Mckinsey, more and more companies are adopting hiring practices based on the soft skills of their candidates – a concerted effort to prepare for the jobs of the future. That’s why, now more than ever, it is so important to develop these types of skills in your team.

To achieve this you need a modern solution like isEazy Skills, a platform that helps you boost your team’s talent with the market’s most complete catalog of skills courses. Nurture the development of soft skills with agile, dynamic resources that will keep your employees hooked from the first moment. Are you ready to try isEazy Skills?