These days, forward-thinking companies are increasingly prioritising soft skills training alongside technical qualifications to give their people an edge over the competition. Soft skills refer to a someone’s personal attributes, interpersonal abilities and communication skills that enable them to work effectively with others.
While technical skills are, of course, essential, possessing the right set of soft skills can make a significant difference to business performance as well as an employee’s professional success.
Here are five types of key soft skills that are most sought after by businesses right now…
1) Communication
Effective communication is something that can never be understated – it is core to every successful professional interaction. Employers value individuals who can articulate their thoughts clearly, listen actively and convey information concisely. Strong communication skills encompass verbal, nonverbal, and written communication, allowing employees to collaborate seamlessly, resolve conflicts and present ideas persuasively.
There are a whole range of communication online training courses available to test and top up these skills from communication basics to listening with empathy, right through to overcoming communicating barriers and conflict resolution.
2) Leadership
Leadership skills are highly sought after by employers, regardless of industry or job level. The ability to motivate and inspire others, take initiative and make sound decisions is crucial for driving team performance and achieving organisational goals. Strong leaders foster a positive work culture, encourage innovation and are able navigate challenges with resilience.
It’s worth remembering that not all leadership styles are the same and employees can show their leadership skills by contributing in many ways. There are plenty of online training courses and resources available on leadership that can help. Why not take a leadership styles quiz to learn about your dominant style?
3) Productivity
This is another highly valued soft skill, especially in today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment. Employers are always looking for people who can efficiently manage their time, prioritise tasks, and deliver high-quality results within deadlines. Productive employees demonstrate effective organisational skills with a focus on achieving goals and can deliver real value by hitting or exceeding expectations.
There are a range of techniques people can employ to make themselves more productive, Sensei’s short online training course on productivity is a good place to start.
4) Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
Two specific soft skills that relate to and directly enhance productivity are Problem solving and Critical thinking. Employers value people who can analyse complex situations, identify potential challenges and devise creative solutions.
Both of these skills involve logical reasoning, the ability to think outside the box and a proactive approach to finding resolutions. Employees who can navigate obstacles, make informed decisions and innovate can contribute significantly to an organisation’s success.
5) Collaboration and Teamwork
In today’s dynamic and often hybrid work environment, it isn’t just about knowing when to lead but also knowing when to work as part of a cohesive team. Teamworking and collaboration are crucial for achieving collective goals – both in person and remotely. Organisations are looking for team members who can work harmoniously with diverse groups of people, respect differing perspectives and contribute positively to group dynamics.
Effective collaborators can share knowledge and expertise, resulting in more efficient problem solving, faster decision-making as well as more effective execution of tasks. Research also shows that collaboration and teamwork can foster a creative culture of innovation via open communication, idea sharing and brainstorming.
Soft Skills Training is Here to Stay
While the right technical skills are key to any sector, employers are increasingly seeing the value of strong soft skills in organisational success to stay ahead of the competition.
Successfully cultivating these skills can make someone stand out from the crowd while enabling to do their job more effectively. By honing these sought-after soft skills, individuals can make themselves invaluable in their profession while contributing to personal and professional growth.
Try Sensei today for free to see how you can improve soft skills at your organisation.
