Soft skills are social-behavioral skills based on human interaction, which transcend technical skills. They are increasingly valued by companies, which are looking for professionals capable of adapting to change, solving problems, teams working, communicating effectively, etc.
Developing soft skills is an important step because they can positively influence professional performance, improving productivity, creativity, leadership, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, adapting to change, and personal well-being.
To develop these skills, it is necessary to seek self-knowledge, reflection, guidance, and continuous learning. There are several courses and programs in the market that can help the professional in this process of personal improvement, in addition to practices such as feedback, coaching and mentoring.
Here are some of soft skills most desired by companies:
1. Analytical thinking and innovation
Analytical thinking and innovation are two important skills for the future of work and life. While analytical thinking is the ability to reason logically, critically, and creatively, using data and information from different sources to solve problems and make decisions, innovation is the ability to create something new, original, or improved, using creativity and analytical thinking to find new or optimized solutions. These skills enable people to adapt to change, face challenges, and seize opportunities in an increasingly complex and dynamic world.
2. Active learning and learning strategies
Active learning is a term that refers to a set of teaching methodologies that place the individual as the protagonist of their own learning process. In this approach, the individual is not just a passive receiver of information, but an active participant who seeks, analyzes, creates, and applies knowledge autonomously and collaboratively. Learning strategies are the ways in which the individual can engage with the content and develop the skills necessary for active learning.
Here are some learning strategies that can be adopted:
• Reading: The individual reads texts, books, articles, or other materials related to the topic of study, seeking to understand, interpret, and critique the information.
• Research: The individual seeks reliable and relevant sources on a given subject, using tools such as the internet, libraries, interviews, or observations.
• Problem solving: The individual faces real or simulated challenges that require the application of the acquired knowledge, using logical reasoning, creativity and innovation.
• Case studies: The individual analyzes concrete situations that illustrate concepts, theories or principles, seeking to understand the causes, consequences and possible solutions.
• Practical work: The individual carries out activities that involve the manipulation of materials, tools or equipment, with the aim of exploring, experimenting and testing hypotheses.
• Debates: The individual discusses with his/her classmates or with the teacher/manager about a controversial or controversial topic, seeking to defend his/her point of view, respect divergent opinions and reach a consensus.
• Projects: The individual plans and executes a work that has a defined objective, an established deadline and an expected final product, seeking to integrate different areas of knowledge and develop transversal skills.
3. Resilience, stress tolerance, and flexibility
Possessing the soft skill of resilience, stress tolerance, and flexibility means having the ability to adapt to adverse situations, deal with pressure, and change strategy when necessary. These skills are important for professional and personal success, as they allow them to face the challenges and opportunities of today’s increasingly complex and dynamic world.
Some characteristics of people who have these soft skills are:
• Resilience: these are people who are able to overcome difficulties, transform problems into learning and maintain emotional balance in the face of adversity. They have a positive outlook on life, confidence in themselves, and persistence to achieve their goals.
• Stress tolerance: These are people who are able to manage stress in a healthy way, without letting themselves be shaken or harm their physical and mental health. They know how to recognize their limits, seek support when needed, and relax in their leisure time.
• Flexibility: These are people who can adapt to changes, whether internal or external. They are open to new ideas, experiences, and points of view, and they know how to change their minds or plans when circumstances require it.
These soft skills can be developed through practices such as self-knowledge, self-control, self-motivation, empathy, communication, creativity, and innovation.
4. Leadership
Leadership soft skill is the ability to motivate, inspire, and guide a team to achieve a common goal. It is one of the most valued skills in the job market, as it directly influences performance, productivity and employee satisfaction.
5. Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and deal with the emotions and feelings of oneself and other individuals. It is a skill that involves the use of social intelligence, which is the ability to relate well to other people, and intrapersonal intelligence, which is the ability to know oneself and control oneself.
Emotional intelligence is important because it influences various aspects of personal and professional life, such as well-being, health, productivity, creativity, leadership, communication, problem-solving, and adapting to change. People with developed emotional intelligence tend to be happier, more confident, more balanced, and more successful than those who don’t.
According to psychologist Daniel Goleman, who popularized the concept, emotional intelligence can be divided into five pillars:
• Emotional self-awareness: This is the ability to recognize one’s own emotions and their effects on oneself and others;
• Emotional control: This is the ability to manage one’s own emotions, especially negative ones, and express them appropriately;
• Self-motivation: This is the ability to use one’s emotions to propel oneself toward one’s goals, even in the face of obstacles or frustrations;
• Empathy: This is the ability to understand the emotions and needs of others, and to put yourself in their shoes;
• Social skills: is the ability to interact with others in a positive, cooperative and constructive way, establishing healthy and harmonious relationships;
Emotional intelligence can be learned and improved through practices such as self-awareness, self-control, self-motivation, empathy, and effective communication.
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