Nicki Cresswell, Wellbeing Training Co-ordinator at CABA

Soft skills can be interpreted as being of secondary importance when promoting candidates to senior management roles; with technical ability and diligence taking primary position in the business world. In reality, soft skills (our personal attributes which characterise our relationships with other people) feed into all roles, adding versatility to your skillset and impacting your professional development more than you might think.

So fundamental are soft skills to the development of the UK economy, that today they are worth in excess of £88 billion <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-30802474> , underpinning around 6.6% of the whole economy. In fact, they are so powerful that 77% <http://backingsoftskills.co.uk/The%20Value%20of%20Soft%20Skills%20to%20the%20UK%20Economy.pdf> of employers now rate soft skills as highly as technical ability – unsurprising given that 85% <http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/14-very-effective-communication-skills/> of job success comes from mastering soft skills, whereas only 15% comes from hard skills and subject matter expertise. Of course, there are many different types of soft skills you can develop which could enhance your career, but here are the 5 most desired:

1. Communication

Strong communication skills are pivotal for your career – without these, you can’t effectively manage and lead a team or relay strategy back to your peers. Communication skills enable you to effectively express your ideas both verbally and in writing. A good speaker and listener can understand and engage with their employer, co-workers and clients, leading to increased responsibility and respect. Research shows that women are traditionally better at using soft skills within the workplace, and are 45% more likely than men to be seen consistently demonstrating empathy, which helps build relationships and strengthen a team. Therefore, if you can harness this ability, you may find your career progresses even when already in senior positions.

2. Problem solving

As an employer, you want people who can gather and analyse information, then apply logic and creativity to solve problems and make decisions autonomously to drive projects forward and save time. However, to really have a complete skillset, you need to ensure you are doing this too. Your ability to present solutions, rather than problems, to colleagues will impress and motivate all team members, whatever their seniority.

3. Flexibility

Being able to adapt to change in the workplace is a highly desirable skill. The working world is evolving exponentially (especially post Brexit), so employers are actively seeking people who can keep up and embrace new ideas and situations. Adaptability and flexibility will show you to be a reliable member of the team, and let’s face it, a safe pair of hands in a difficult situation is always valued by other team members.

4. Team working

Working well with others and having the confidence to contribute ideas in a group is a skill some people haven’t developed. Being positive and assertive, taking your share of responsibility and being open to receiving (and offering) constructive criticism can be difficult. However, you need to consider how this benefits the team while new, innovative ideas benefit the business.

5. Time management

Excellent organisation and time management makes for greater productivity and efficiency. You know how to set goals and meet them which, in today’s 24/7 world, is as valuable as technical skills. When hiring employees, it’s important to remember that missed deadlines and opportunities are more costly to your business than unpolished hard skills.

When working in the corporate world, it is easy to focus on technical ability, but professional achievement requires personality too. Communicating your ideas and opinions, integrating into a team and working cooperatively (while still achieving timely results autonomously) are strengths that are rewarded with progression and respect. Soft skills complement, not counteract, hard skills and knowledge, ensuring employee wellbeing and a thriving business.