Soft skills: what are they and why are they important?

We are currently faced with a The labor market is constantly on the move, which forces organizations to reinvent themselves every day, which is why they are necessary employees capable of changing with them. The knowledge acquired may be out of date, but the Soft Skills, such as learning ability, perseverance or passion for learning, no. For this reason, hiring must focus on people's abilities and the potential aspects of their behavior, not only in their technical competencies. Because, despite the fact that these competencies are key to standing out in the world of work, more and more experts are highlighting the Relevant role of Soft Skills, since these skills are complemented by technical knowledge and take on the same importance in a job.

What are the Soft Skills?

Las Soft Skills, also referred to as soft skills, are those competencies, characteristics, abilities, aptitudes or qualities related to personality, character and the way in which an individual relates and communicates with others. It is considered that the Soft Skills are independent of the experience or technical knowledge specific to a specific sector, industry, role or position. That's why we talk about Non-technical skills that relate to the character traits and interpersonal skills of each one, with how that person interacts with their colleagues, how they manage conflicts or how they use their time. Knowing how to work as a team, being assertive, maintaining social commitment, having leadership skills and adapting to changes are some of the examples of the skills that professionals they need to develop, regardless of their profession, to become more competitive.

Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills

In this sense, soft skills or Soft Skills are highly valued by companies and, unlike the Hard Skills, which refer to professional knowledge and skills of each person, are not acquired through training. This is the case of empathy, creativity, leadership skills or the ability to adapt, among others. Therefore, while Hard Skills are acquired through years of training and professional experience, Soft Skills they are only learned in daily life, making people integrate perfectly into work environments. Both are necessary and complementary, but the difference is that the Soft Skills are more related to Who are the people than with what they know.

Las Soft Skills, relevant in digital transformation

Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, automation or Deep Learning These are some of the concepts associated with relatively recent technologies that companies are applying to their digitization processes for better results. At a time when digital changes and transformations are taking place more and more rapidly and profoundly, essential qualities are ability to adapt to change and flexibility or the commitment and the predisposition to learn constantly and permanently.In this area, and with the importance of digital transformation in companies, professional profiles with certain technical knowledge are necessary, but also with soft skills that fit the organization chart of the company. In fact, according to a study by Hays, 59% of Spanish companies considered in 2020 that Soft Skills In an employee they are more important than specific skills for the position in question. Specifically, the three Soft Skills most valued by Spanish companies among current or potential workers both in startups and in SMEs or large companies are:

1. Problem solving
2. Flexibility or adaptability
3. The collaboration

In addition, the World Economic Forum predicts that Analytical thinking It will be the personal skill most in demand by companies in the year 2025. However, it will not be the only one, because currently there are already many Soft Skills that companies demand from their employees or in personnel recruitment processes.

Las Soft Skills specific to teleworking

It is important to note that, in addition to the business trend towards digitalization, generalization of teleworking after the pandemic has increased the need for professionals to have Soft Skills suitable for creating habits or routines, performing remote tasks in a relevant way and maintain adequate levels of productivity.

• Self-motivation: Not having the physical pressure of vigilance from a superior or a professional environment can cause the worker to fall into distractions, wasted time or low productivity. Therefore, to work remotely proactively, there must be motivations beyond the simple routine and mandatory fulfillment of tasks. The teleworker must feel fulfilled and passionate about the work they do, feel identified with the project and conceive it as their own.
• Ability to work as a team: teleworking, far from encouraging individualism, requires a greater ability to collaborate with colleagues, since it requires a Plus commitment and communication between the people involved to be able to solve tasks that require the participation of several members without being physically located in the same place.

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Las Soft Skills Most in demand today

• Flexibility and adaptability: at the current time of change that we are experiencing, the capacity to adapt to new situations, face problems and assume new realities is one of the Soft Skills Those most professionals versatile, dynamic and capable of acting resolutely, quickly and with a flexible attitude In the face of adverse scenarios, they will have a great advantage.
• Resilience: have the capacity to deal with different work situations in a positive way and overcome problematic situations, tolerance for frustration or adversity, being able to adapt to adverse situations and to remain strong, patient and calm in a crisis environment... This is what allows a worker to progress. In an increasingly digitized environment, the human component takes on great value, which is why such importance is given to emotional intelligence, communication or empathy.
• Learning ability or Learnability: it's about the ability and willingness to learn new tools, as well as to acquire knowledge and new technical skills as quickly and quickly as possible. In today's digital world, it's essential be constantly and permanently updated, both when it comes to addressing internal procedures and responding to external demands. But that learning capacity must be independent and proactive. In other words, the professional cannot be depending on the company that provides them with all the knowledge, there must be their own intention to seek knowledge and new skills.
• Individual and personal commitment to the organization: for this quality to be possible, it is necessary for the person to feel identified with the company's objectives and values. It is an aspect closely linked to the motivation and personal fulfillment with professional tasks and tasks carried out, and the level of commitment is directly proportional to the quality of work and productivity.
• Creativity: it's a determining factor when it comes to finding solutions in any activity, field or task, that is why it is one of the most important competencies. This is a characteristic characteristic of people who are able to do things in different ways, to find solutions that had not occurred before, face problems with new perspectives and perspectives, etc. It not only encompasses the artistic ability to create from the start, but also the fact of seeing beyond what is in front of us. This involves leaving the “comfort zone” to gamble for innovative concepts or challenges.
• Analytical Thinking and Critical Thinking: Big Data is becoming the main asset of many companies in the digital age, which is why we must be able to think based on data. Valuable professionals are not going to be able to take for granted any information or idea that comes to them from elsewhere, they are going to have to make judgments at their own discretion and based on solid data and logical reasoning. It is therefore necessary to acquire the habit of being curious, researching and contrasting diverse opinions.
• Growth mindset or Growth Mindset: is the predisposition to constant improvement. Those professionals with a vision of the future, with personal goals and objectives, willing to face new challenges and challenges linked to the organization will be increasingly valued.

The importance of Soft Skills For the entrepreneur

Las Soft Skills and entrepreneurship must go hand in hand, since they allow us to obtain a global vision of the business, to perform better in difficult situations and to take the project to the next level. Therefore, it is not surprising that the focus on improving the business management of entrepreneurs be placed, increasingly, in the Soft Skills.As we mentioned before, in a market increasingly conditioned by the technification of processes, qualities such as emotional intelligence, resilience or organizational capacity achieve Make a difference and stand out from the competition, because they are personal skills that cannot be imitated or transferred and that reflect the company's personality.

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The first thing to do is Identifying soft skills that everyone needs to develop, focusing on what they already have and working on those that they consider as an opportunity. The second step is find a method to develop them: the mentoring sessions can serve to improve certain qualities. Finally, we must take action, Put what you have learned into practice.