TRANSITIONING CHALLENGE: THE SOFT SKILLS ARE THE HARD SKILLS

I’ve been participating in a discussion – part rebellion – against the use of the term “soft skills” since the phrase connotes to many people something less valuable than the so-called hard skills. We are talking about substituting the phrase “success skills,” since they are crucial for success.

The derivation of the terms can be traced back to the ability to quantify results in hard numbers. Those called soft skills are harder to quantify. They are also harder for most people to learn and apply. So-called soft skills are human performance skills and relationship skills. Both hard and soft skills are actually success skills.

More and more those human performance skills and creative thinking are the success differentiators. They can’t be learned by rote memory or by searching the Internet. They are the client skills that can’t be outsourced.

For the next generation, it’s the soft/success/ human performance skills – call them what you like – that are essential for effective leadership and client transitions.

Phyllis Weiss Haserot     www.pdcounsel.com

Comments

[Francesco (Frank) S. Adamo]

I fully agree with your "rebellion" against soft skills. Interestingly, I didn't even know the term "soft skills" until I started searching the news for "communication skills."

As a trainer of effective communications skills, I frequently search the Internet for fresh materials. I also agree that "soft" is rather undefinable. I've always had great writing skills but lousy communication skills. Did I have 1/2 soft skills? Which is more important, writing skills, communication skills, listening skills, or what?

"Success Skills" is a great substitute. My series of workshops is based on "Success through Effective Communications Skills." I tend to consider "Confidence Skills," particularly in relation to communications skills. Many people have the technical skills but lack the confidence to persuade and/or do presentations in front of groups.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

Ciao, Francesco

[Phyllis Weiss Haserot]

Thank you for your thoughts, Frank. And I like your addition of "confidence skills."

It's time to turn the negative touchy feely connotations inside out!

[Cheryl Stephens]

Right you are. See the Success Skills Workshop that I put online at Squidoo last year:
http://www.squidoo.com/successskills/