Earlier this spring, Forbes highlighted the importance of soft skills in the workplace. Technical skills and knowledge cannot address all problems and achieve organizational success by itself. People still need to possess and apply attributes that foster collaboration and teamwork. We’re talking about workplace soft skills. 
 
Let’s learn more about them. If your workplace and teams can benefit from soft skills training and professional development, then UMKC TalentLink can provide a proven expert to help.

You may have heard the term referred to as people skills or interpersonal skills. What exactly are they?  

Soft skills and workplace readiness enable individuals to communicate, manage time, and collaborate in a productive manner. These skills complement technical skills and knowledge that employees tout. They’re necessary to complete tasks, move projects forward, and maintain good working relationships online and in person.  

Soft skills are not limited to a particular industry or profession. People use interpersonal skills when interacting with, you guessed it, other people. That applies whether you’re a manager, supervisor, customer service representative, salesperson, or working with internal clients and external vendors. Soft skills enable us to navigate complex dynamics with others and keep professional relationships strong. 

What are some soft skills? 

• Communication is necessary for quality interaction with colleagues, supervisors, and others. 

• Leadership inspires and influences others, establishes and communicates a clear vision, and develops a culture of accountability. 

• Problem-solving is needed to work through both technical issues and interpersonal communication to avoid thorny conflicts. Critical thinking, strategic thinking, and analysis are helpful tools to solve problems.  

• Teamwork requires collaboration, communication, and mutual commitment to achieve goals. 

• Time management involves setting priorities, organizing and managing tasks, and using time well to achieve a task or goal. Discipline to manage time matters, too. Strong time management reduces stress and anxiety and avoids operating in crisis mode. 

Other workplace soft skills include adaptability, creativity, work ethic, conflict management, and emotional intelligence. 

UMKC TalentLink’s short-term Soft Skills Certificate Program can help businesses strengthen soft skills in employees. You’ll attract and retain top talent, too. 

Read our case study on how UMKC TalentLink provided soft skills training at City Union Mission. 

Our expert facilitator Jeremy Gray has led soft skills training for other nonprofit and for-profit clients. Get in touch with UMKC TalentLInk to discuss how we can help provide training and development for your team.