The importance of soft skills for your business success

We are in a rapidly evolving world. The progression of smart technologies is set to change how we interact, work and relate to each other. Profession Klaus Schwab, founder and executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, calls it ‘The 4^th Industrial Revolution’. This brings enormous potential for development, growth and improved competition. But it can also bring unprecedented risk.  Profession Schwab’s’ concern however is “that decision-makers are too often caught in traditional, linear (and non-disruptive) thinking or too absorbed by immediate concerns to think strategically about the forces of disruption and innovation shaping our future”.

The World Economic Forum predicts that in only 5 years, 35% of skills seen as essential today will change.  It has never been more important for businesses to be progressive in their approach to their recruitment strategy. There is the requirement of hard skills such as being Tech Savvy and Data Literate but what about soft skills? They can be easily overlooked by recruiters, but they have never been more important.

There are key soft skills that HR departments should consider when building their teams for the future success of the business.

Creativity

People who can creatively approach problems and tasks across different roles are essential to bring new and inventive solutions.

Growth Mindset

The belief that you are in charge of your own success – that you can grow through dedication and hard work develops a love of learning and a resilience to work hard.

Adaptability and Flexibility

The ability to face and appreciate the reality that things change can provide a hugely positive attitude and open-minded professionalism.

Collaboration

The knowledge that the right team can achieve far more than single individuals. The development of a team where individual strengths complement each other to achieve a common goal.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to perceive, evaluate and respond to your own emotions and understand how they can affect others, as well as understand, empathise and value other people’s.

Cultural Intelligence and Diversity

An understanding and appreciation of one another and experience across difference cultures, races, opinions and thoughts.

A list of incredibly valuable soft skills that will mean the difference between a team of employees that stay in their lane with their heads down, and a team that interacts effectively, forms new ideas, bounce off one another and create dynamism in the workplace. Which would you prefer?