Supercharging soft skills in the age of AI

VTU COE PG Reports / 29 Jul, 2024

Soft skills: what are they? 

Whether it’s oral, written or non-verbal, communication is important but is just one of many soft skills, of which there are three kinds: cognitive abilities, interpersonal skills, and personal attributes. 

Supercharging soft skill development.

Technology is only one reason for investing more heavily in soft skills. Increasing workforce diversity puts a premium on fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. As everyone is using similar technology, competitive advantage increasingly springs from engaged staff who ‘go the extra mile’ to improve performance. Driven by technological, geopolitical, and economic factors, the pace of events puts a premium on the ability to respond quickly. 

People development professionals can drive this investment through the following approaches: 

1. Hiring for skills: Emphasise the importance of soft skills in addition to other capabilities in recruitment, selection, and promotion decisions. 

2. Performance appraisal: Integrate soft skills development goals and their links to individual and corporate performance in routine appraisals and performance management. 

3. Cross-functional teams: Set up inter-departmental projects to encourage information-sharing, collaboration, cross-training, and mentorship. 

4. Creativity training: Yes, creativity can be developed, although most people will tell you that they are not creative at all. An increasingly complex business environment demands novel solutions. Training in creative methods and tools can deliver these. 

5. Continuous learning: This is a skill in its own right. Signal its importance by running workshops on soft skill topics such as critical thinking, solving wicked problems, interview skills, influencing skills, data interpretation, and presentation skills. 

These skills need to be developed using a broad spectrum of methods; traditional structured programmes, simulations, mentoring and coaching, reverse mentoring, forming peer learning communities, and cultural sensitivity training

Soft Skills, Big Impact :

soft skill as interpersonal skills covering areas such as communication, listening, empathy, teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and leadership, among others. It examines how organisations are investing in their people through professional development and skills training & It also explores if the initiative goes beyond the mandatory training that organisations enforce; are both interpersonal and technical skills getting equal priority.