Soft Skills
Soft skills are personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. They include social graces, communication abilities, language skills, personal habits, cognitive or emotional empathy, and a positive attitude. Soft skills are also known as interpersonal skills, people skills, or emotional intelligence. They are essential for success in the workplace, and are increasingly sought after by employers.
History of Soft Skills
The term “soft skills” was first used in the early 1970s by American psychologist and management consultant, Robert Katz. He identified three essential skills for successful performance in the workplace: technical skills, human skills, and conceptual skills. Human skills, which he later referred to as “soft skills”, were defined as the ability to interact effectively with other people. Since then, the term has been widely used in the business world to refer to the personal attributes that are necessary for successful interpersonal relationships.
Comparison of Soft Skills
| Soft Skill | Definition |
|---|---|
| Communication | The ability to effectively convey and receive information. |
| Leadership | The ability to motivate and inspire others. |
| Teamwork | The ability to work collaboratively with others. |
| Problem-solving | The ability to identify and resolve issues. |
| Time management | The ability to prioritize tasks and manage one’s time. |
Summary
Soft skills are essential for success in the workplace, and are increasingly sought after by employers. They include social graces, communication abilities, language skills, personal habits, cognitive or emotional empathy, and a positive attitude. Examples of soft skills include communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. For more information on soft skills, visit websites such as Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and Monster.
See Also
- Technical Skills
- Human Skills
- Conceptual Skills
- Social Graces
- Communication Abilities
- Language Skills
- Personal Habits
- Cognitive Empathy
- Emotional Empathy
- Positive Attitude
