Soft Skills as an Impression! Understanding its Relevance in Work Culture

Have you ever wondered why some people fare better at work despite a drop in relation to their academic performance? It is quite obvious to have a notion that people with better grades are better in every aspect than the average. However, all this proves wrong even within the process of recruitment in college societies not to mention the reality outside academic life. There is a term called soft skills which is fundamental in building careers and the success behind every great personality.

Soft skills are something that is inculcated within a person exhibiting qualities such as leadership, responsibility, good communication skills, creativity, adaptability, and many more. It is usually interpersonal, non-specialized, and difficult to quantify, which is quite the opposite of hard (technical) skills. Of course, hard skills and educational background are as equally important as soft skills but we would rather emphasize here on soft skills as it is considered as one that prettifies the outlook of man. It is like a dress on a body, with a good outlook comes a good impression.

Different types of soft skills:

Soft skills are of many types ranging from gestures to management and so on. Broadly they can be classified as -

● Communication: exchange of ideas/thoughts/information.

● Leadership: the ability to lead someone to attain certain goals.

●Creativity: the ability to use imagination to produce a novel idea or product.

● Adaptability: the ability to adjust according to circumstances.

● Organization: the ability to put things in proper order.

●Management: refers to the use of limited resources combined with forecasting, planning, leadership, and execution skills to achieve predetermined specific goals.

Skills such as negotiation, postures and gestures, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, integrity, and conflict management are fundamental in developing a person and are included in the whole view of the above soft skills mentioned. Besides that, the scope of soft skills is vast and imperative, and one cannot cease to learn.

Soft skill - Work Ethic

The value of a person/company lies in its ethics besides the necessary skills one possesses in doing tasks. The whole work ethic comes under the purview of soft skills and it is undeniable to state that soft skills align with good character.

In any recruitment process, one must note that the distinction among peers will lie on a person's soft skills since hard skills are a mandatory requisite and an assumption that one must be proficient in.

Leaving a good impression at every step and every work is a sign of maturity, and adaptability and shows that the person is at peace with his mind and body. With great soft skills, it is not burdensome to handle pressures and problems arising at the workplace. The ability to think critically and act cautiously at times of intensity and live a composed and calm life is the result of acquired and developed soft skills, and subsequently leaving good imprints on the eyes of upper heads, peers, and people around us.

Importance of soft skills:

● Networking: helps in enlarging one's connections.

● Communication: improves one's interaction with others.

● Listening: helps to master the art of listening through cautious attention of sounds.

● Analytical skills: through constant engagement in activities in the realm of soft skills, it is true that soft skills do enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills and better comprehension of ideas and work.

● Good character: once a person loses his character, everything's lost. So, soft skills as mentioned is a form of ethics which ultimately shaped the personality of individuals.

Soft skills are vital in upbringing of human and visionary purposes. With its wide domain, comes idealistic purposes. Its impactful purposes in being a shaper is not doubtful, with it lies the key to influence prominent statuses whether be it in academics, business, governance or any form of work culture.

Nonetheless, it is important to remember that one must be open to learn new skills whether it be hard or soft, and on the track of constant improvement. As long as one is open to learning, his mind is youthful, thriving for mending flaws, all these being the true essence of human purposes. It's worth noting that having soft skills alone, without hard skills, is not sufficient to achieve excellence and fulfill one's true potential. So, to make an impact both are symmetrically crucial.