We are living in an era of constant change. Because businesses are becoming less dictatorial and more social, the understanding and value of soft skills to an organization are growing daily.
“Soft skills” is a term relating to a collection of personal, positive attributes and competencies that enhance your relationships, job performance and value to the market.
Soft skills include your ability to listen well, communicate effectively, be positive, handle conflict, accept responsibility, show respect, build trust, work well with others, manage time effectively, accept criticism, work under pressure, be likable and demonstrate good manners.
“Hard skills” are specific, trainable abilities necessary to carry out the professional or technical requirements of a job or occupation.
Hard skills would include knowledge, machine operation, computer procedures, safety standards, financial systems, technical analysis, and sales administration. Unlike soft skills, hard skills are typically easy to quantify, and measure.
More and more corporations around the world recognize that, in order to gain a competitive advantage, they need to make sure their people know how to handle themselves at work and how to relate with their customers and peers.
The great thing about building your soft skills is that you can acquire them on your own. Regardless of your background, gender or education, developing your soft skills will make you stand out from the crowd in whatever you choose to do.
To advance professionally, you must put an emphasis on developing your soft skills.
Read more of this editorial from Brad Larsen at the Standard Examiner
