# What Are Soft Skills? Definition, Importance, and Examples

![Soft Skills](https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/R1fCfPHe7nakavw-Lb7KkVln8yI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TermDefinitions_Template_softskills-c1bde5691d3144468cf8c4db69beb737.jpg)

*— Tara Anand / Investopedia*

> **Definition**
>
> Soft skills are personal attributes, such as creativity and communication, that characterize a person's ability to work effectively with others.

## What Are Soft Skills?

Soft skills are character traits and interpersonal skills that allow a person to interact effectively with others (or not). In the workplace, soft skills are considered a complement to hard skills, which refer to a person's knowledge and occupational skills. Psychologists may use the term "soft skills" to describe someone's emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) as opposed to intelligence quotient (IQ). In a competitive labor market, individuals who demonstrate a good combination of hard and soft skills often enjoy a higher demand for their services.

### Key Takeaways

*   Examples of soft skills include the ability to communicate with prospective clients, mentor co-workers, lead a team, negotiate a contract, follow instructions, and complete tasks on time.
*   Hard skills are measurable and usually obtained through formal education and training programs.
*   Workers with good soft skills can help companies achieve higher levels of efficiency and productivity.
*   In contrast to hard skills, soft skills are more difficult to acquire through formal training.

## Understanding Soft Skills

Many employers look for a balance of hard skills and soft skills when making hiring decisions. For example, employers value skilled workers with a proven track record of completing tasks on time. Employers also value workers with strong communication skills and a good understanding of company products and services. When communicating with prospective clients, workers with soft skills can put together compelling presentations even if their specific job is not in sales or marketing. Another valued soft skill is the ability to coach co-workers on new tasks.

Company leaders are often most effective when they have strong soft skills. For example, leaders are expected to have good speaking abilities, but great leaders are also skilled at listening to workers and other leaders in their field. As an article in the _Harvard Business Review_ put it, "Employers who fail to listen and thoughtfully respond to their people's concerns will see greater turnover. Given that the highest rates of turnover are among top performers who can take clients and projects with them, and the frontline employees responsible for the customer experience, the risk is clear."

[Negotiation](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/07/negotiation_tips.asp) is also a big part of the job for many company leaders. When negotiating with employees, clients, or associates, leaders need to be skilled in considering the needs of others while remaining focused on achieving their own objectives. Effective leaders also need to know how to assign tasks to other team members and manage them efficiently.

> **Important**
>
> Companies often like to hire employees who possess soft skills that mesh well with those of the rest of the staff, considering them to be a good cultural fit for the company.

## Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

Workers acquire [hard skills](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/hard-skills.asp) through formal education, training programs, and concentrated effort. Hard skills are the quantifiable skills that workers need to perform a specific job successfully. Employers often test or evaluate a candidate's hard skills before hiring. Examples of hard skills include computer programming, writing, web development, and graphic design. Some hard skills are more in demand than others, and employers may need to hire recruiting agencies or headhunters to fill jobs that require specialized, high-level hard skills.

Hard skills can be learned and perfected over time, but soft skills are more difficult to acquire and change. For example, the soft skills a doctor might need are empathy, understanding, active listening, and a good bedside manner.

Alternatively, the hard skills a doctor requires include a vast comprehension of illnesses, the ability to interpret test results and symptoms, and a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology.

> **Tip**
>
> Coaching is one of the most effective methods for improving soft skills.

## Valuable Soft Skills for Employees

Soft skills [benefit businesses](https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/030415/how-do-interpersonal-skills-influence-business-culture.asp) when they are practiced on a company-wide basis. For example, a collaborative spirit among workers is essential. Team members who are able to work well with people of different generations and backgrounds are generally more productive and better able to focus on common priorities. Efficiency and output improve when workers collaborate by sharing knowledge and tools to get jobs done. The ability to learn new methods and technologies is also a desired soft skill for all workers.

Companies that value learning as a soft skill recognize various learning styles and encourage workers to pursue the methods that work best for them. Good troubleshooting is another soft skill that companies value. For example, companies can operate more efficiently and [increase productivity](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/productivity.asp) when all workers know how to troubleshoot software problems instead of relying on the information technology (IT) department for every fix.

Soft skills can also be thought of as people skills. These can include good communication and interpersonal skills, leadership, problem-solving, work ethic, time management, and teamwork. These are characteristics that can be carried over to any position.

## Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a specific soft skill worth discussing on its own. It involves the ability to recognize, understand, and manage your own emotions. Unlike traditional intelligence, which focuses on logic, problem-solving, and technical elements related to an industry, emotional intelligence is about navigating social situations and building strong relationships. Some experts predict the demand for emotional skills to grow by 26% by 2030.  

A major part of emotional intelligence is self-awareness. This means being aware of your emotions, strengths, and weaknesses, and understanding how they affect others. By recognizing your emotional triggers, you can control your reactions more effectively, avoiding hasty decisions or misunderstandings. Self-aware individuals are also more effective at receiving feedback and making personal improvements because they can objectively assess their behavior and attitudes.  

Empathy is another important aspect of emotional intelligence. It’s the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, which helps you connect with colleagues, clients, and customers on a deeper level. Empathetic leaders can better support their teams by recognizing their needs and motivations, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce. Employers tend to recognize the benefits of those who possess emotional intelligence; according to TalentSmartEQ, individuals with high EQs earn $29,000 more per year than those with low EQs.

## How to Develop Soft Skills

There is no single best way to develop soft skills. However, a combination of the methods below may help you gain social and interpersonal skills that could help you across a variety of jobs or industries:

*   **Practice Active Listening**: Focus on truly understanding what others are saying without interrupting. This helps in building empathy and stronger relationships.
*   **Seek Feedback Regularly**: Ask colleagues, managers, or mentors for feedback on your communication, teamwork, and other soft skills. Use their insights to make conscious improvements.
*   **Work on Emotional Intelligence**: Develop self-awareness and learn to manage your emotions. This will help you navigate complex social situations and be able to connect with others more easily.
*   **Improve [Time Management](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-careers/08/time-management-financial-career.asp)**: Prioritize tasks and set realistic goals. Effective time management reduces stress, increases productivity, and helps you stay better organized.
*   **Engage in Team Projects**: Collaborate with others on group tasks to improve your teamwork and interpersonal skills. This also enhances your ability to work with diverse personalities.
*   **Enhance Communication Skills**: Practice clear and concise communication in both written and verbal forms. This will help prevent miscommunication and enable you to become a more effective leader.
*   **Develop Problem-Solving Abilities**: Break down problems into smaller parts and explore multiple solutions. This will help you tackle different issues in the future, regardless of your job or industry.
*   **Cultivate Empathy**: Put yourself in others' shoes to understand their perspectives. Empathy strengthens collaboration and fosters trust.
*   **Practice Public Speaking**: Engage in activities such as giving presentations or attending Toastmasters meetings to build confidence in public speaking.
*   **Learn Stress Management Techniques**: Practice mindfulness, exercise, or other relaxation techniques to handle stress better. Managing stress helps maintain productivity and can also improve focus.

## What Is the Difference Between a Soft Skill and a Hard Skill?

Hard skills are the measurable skills acquired through training, education, and practice. They are the abilities needed to perform a specific task or job. Soft skills are behavioral and interpersonal skills that relate to how effectively people interact with others and handle situations.

## Why Are Soft Skills Important?

How well you interact and treat others is crucial for career success. Trust develops through positive interactions and relationships, and productivity increases in environments where soft skills flourish.

## How Do You Improve Soft Skills?

Although not customarily acquired through formal training, soft skills can be learned. To improve their soft skills, individuals must be open to feedback and willing to change their behaviors. Training can provide tips and strategies for developing better practices, such as active listening and empathizing with others. And practicing can strengthen areas where deficiencies exist.

## What Is Soft Skills Training?

Soft skills training is training to help develop or improve interpersonal skills. It consists of lessons to improve communication, increase active listening, resolve conflicts, and more.

## The Bottom Line

While hard skills are highly valued in today's economy, many employers recognize the importance of soft skills as well. For that reason, workers with both hard and soft skills may find it easier to get hired and rise through the ranks.

> **Article Sources**
>
> 1.  Harvard Business Review. "[How to Become a Better Listener](https://hbr.org/2021/12/how-to-become-a-better-listener)."
>     
> 2.  TalentSmartEQ. "[Increasing Your Salary With Emotional Intelligence](https://www.talentsmarteq.com/increasing-your-salary-with-emotional-intelligence/)."