I still remember the disappointment on their
faces—talented, hardworking candidates losing out on jobs because they didn’t
have the right soft skills. During interviews, they struggled to express their
thoughts, couldn’t connect with the interviewers, or came across as
unprofessional. It’s tough for me to see people with so much potential miss
opportunities simply because they weren’t able to showcase themselves
effectively.
In today’s fast-paced world, I believe success isn’t
just about technical expertise—it’s about how well we interact, communicate,
and adapt. While technical skills are essential, I’ve seen time and again that
soft skills are the key to career growth, better relationships, and personal
well-being. Unfortunately, these critical skills are often overlooked in
educational and training programs.
One example stands out clearly in my memory. We were
hiring for a soft skills trainer. The candidate’s resume was impressive, but
during the interview, their behavior completely derailed their chances. Instead
of engaging respectfully, they tried to assert that they knew the subject
better than the panelists. They overlooked the possibility that the
interviewers came from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, requiring
careful and considerate communication. Their dismissive tone and disregard for
the panel’s expertise made it clear they weren’t a good fit. I was struck by
how someone so qualified could lose out simply because of how they presented
themselves.
What Are Soft Skills, and Why Do
They Matter?
For me, soft skills are about how we connect with
others, express ourselves, and manage emotions. Unlike technical abilities,
which apply to specific tasks, soft skills are universal and applicable in
every situation. These include teamwork, adaptability, communication, time
management, and emotional intelligence.
I’ve noticed that employers today prioritize these
skills, especially for entry-level roles where technical capabilities are often
similar across candidates. It’s not just about what you know but how you apply
it in real-world situations—whether it’s working in a team, engaging in
meaningful conversations, or handling workplace challenges with grace.
Why Neglecting Soft Skills Costs
Opportunities
Time and again, I’ve seen people miss great
opportunities because they lacked these skills. They might have the technical
expertise, but their inability to communicate or collaborate holds them back.
This creates a gap—a workforce that’s good at tasks but struggles with
teamwork, innovation, or adapting to change.
Why Don’t We Focus on Soft Skills?
In my experience, a common misconception is that soft
skills are natural traits rather than skills you can learn. Because of this,
many education and training programs focus only on technical abilities, leaving
people unprepared for real-world challenges.
How Soft Skills Complement
Technical Skills
I firmly believe technical skills are important, but
they’re not enough on their own. Take a software engineer—they might be great
at coding, but if they can’t share updates clearly or work well with a team,
it’s hard for them to grow. On the other hand, someone with average technical
skills but strong communication and teamwork abilities often becomes an asset
to their organization.
How Can We Close the Gap?
To truly prepare people for success, I think we need
to focus on both technical and soft skills. Here’s what I suggest:
? Start
Early: Teach soft skills in
schools. Communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence should be part of
the curriculum.
? Encourage
Lifelong Learning: Employers
and educators should offer ongoing opportunities for people to improve these
skills throughout their careers.
?
Raise Awareness: Highlight the importance of soft skills through
workshops, seminars, and campaigns.
Beyond Landing a Job
Getting a job is just the first step. To grow in their
careers, people need to keep building their soft skills. I believe employers
can help by creating a culture of learning and offering resources like
mentoring and training programs.
A Simple Call to Action
Soft skills aren’t optional—they’re essential. By
teaching and learning them, we can help the next generation thrive at work and
in life. These skills are the foundation that lets technical expertise shine.
Let’s take action now to give everyone the tools they need to succeed.
(Geetanjali Rathore is a seasoned soft skills
consultant and educator with extensive experience in designing and delivering
transformative training programs. Email: rathoregeetanjali1902@gmail.com)
