SOFT SKILLS - Basic Concept

 SOFT SKILLS - Basic Concept

Soft skills are also called People Skills. These are desirable qualities for certain forms of
employment that do not depend on acquired knowledge, rather they include common
sense, the ability to deal with people, and a positive flexible attitude .
According to Wikipedia “Soft skills refer to the cluster of personality traits, social graces, and
facility with language, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that mark people to varying degrees. Soft skills complement hard skills, which are the technical requirements of a job.”
Refer to the example discussed in the beginning what differentiates the two doctors is their competency in soft skills. The doctor who was positive, caring and friendly was remembered by you as compared to the other doctor.

Examples of soft skills
•Communication skills
•Problem solving skills
•Teamwork capability
•Negotiating skills
• Self-management
• Time management
•Conflict management
•Cultural awareness
•Responsibility
•Etiquette and good manners
•Courtesy
•Self-esteem
•Sociability
•Integrity / Honesty
•Empathy
•Work ethic

Soft skills differ from context to context and vary from individual to individual perception. Also the problem with soft skills is that there is a basic assumption that they are inborn skills. But a closer examination of these skills would suggest otherwise. While some individuals exhibit these skills naturally, some learn these skills on their own through experience but for a majority of individuals these can also be acquired and nurtured over time. That's why it's so important to focus as much on soft skills training and development as you do on traditional hard skills. Soft skills help you to gain an edge in your personal life, social life as well as in your job. Many researches have proved that individuals with good soft skills are preferred more for a job than the one who lacks in soft skills.