In a world increasingly disrupted by technology, upskilling is often framed as an opportunity to stay ahead of technological innovation. Learning to predict incoming tech trends and to leverage the power of new digital tools are just some of the themes that dominate discussions about workplace learning and development.
But in the rush to address our technological shortcomings, some experts are beginning to worry that soft skills are getting left behind.
What are soft skills and why do they matter?
The term ‘soft skills’ refers to interpersonal capabilities that aren’t specific to a particular job — in short, they’re the skills that enable effective human-to-human interactions. Communication, problem-solving, and time and conflict management are all typical examples of soft skills; so too are more human, less professionally oriented qualities like compassion, resourcefulness and patience.
There are lots of reasons why soft skills matter, not least because harnessing these vital skills can be a predictor of job performance, career success and leadership potential. A lack of soft skills can also have a detrimental impact on work outcomes: a 2019 survey of 1250 HR and business executives found that 71 per cent believed a lack of collaboration skills among their IT teams had delayed the completion of tech projects, while 43 per cent believed the same skills gap led to lower-quality outcomes.
Even as technology becomes more ubiquitous in our day-to-day roles, people still sit at the core of most things we do. Effective interpersonal engagement, from working in a team to managing a project or negotiating high-value deals, are therefore crucial to professional success.
Don't we all have soft skills already?
Because soft skills are so intrinsically human, it’s easy to think that they’re inherent rather than something we can learn. But that’s not entirely true: experts agree that while theoretical learning is unlikely to be helpful, applied and experiential practice, including coaching, mentoring, and social interaction, can support soft skills acquisition.
And there’s good reason to do it. Investing in soft skills development can deliver long-term organisational impact — according to the Workforce Skills Gap Trends 2024: Survey Report, 78 per cent of leaders believe that the longevity of technical skills is five years or less, with 40 per cent putting it at two years or less. By contrast, what IBM calls ‘durable skills’ like communication and leadership remain relevant for more than 7.5 years.
Soft skills might have long-lasting powers, but what isn’t long lasting is the timeframe we’ve got to develop them. The need for soft skills is becoming ever-more urgent: according to Forbes, these skills are a uniquely human strength that offer significant value in an increasingly automated world.
Take a hard line on soft skills with training from Plus UTS
Leverage the benefits of soft skills acquisition with a tailored education package from Plus UTS. Our expert team will help you identify and address critical skills gaps within your team using evidence-based training techniques that are powered by the latest knowledge developed at UTS.
