Soft Skills: Imperative for success in the Corporate world

Ruchira Shukla Associate Professor, ASPEE Agribusiness Management Institute Navsari Agricultural University,Navsari

Anil was impatiently waiting for the results of the campus interview conducted by one of the topmost MNC. Was the company reasonably impressed with the skills he had to offer? What would differentiate him from the others who made similar claims? Would he be able to select in the job interview? Anil didn't have to wait too long. It was a simple decision for the company, as Anil made the perfect candidate meeting all their requirements. In the quest for professional excellence, technical know-how or functional knowledge is no longer the only thing that matters. The importance of soft skills cannot be overemphasized in an age where so much premium is put on interactivity and communication. It thus goes without saying that if you don't have the necessary soft skills to go with your other qualifications; you might not be able to make it up the corporate ladder easily. Many employment experts strongly urge job seekers to improve their soft skills along with their hard skills such as specialized training. Many employers are reluctant to hire Technically Skilled applicants who display little emotional investment in their careers or the ability to work well with others. Most of the companies are ready to hire workers who demonstrate a high level of Soft Skills and then train them for the specific jobs available. Three Key Differences between Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

To be good at hard skills usually takes Intelligence Quotient or IQ (also known as your left brain-the logical center). To be good at soft skills usually takes Emotional Intelligence or EQ (also known as your right brain- the emotional center). Examples of hard skills include accounting, programming, finance, statistics, etc. Soft skills include interpersonal skills, communication skills, persuasion skills, leadership skills etc. Hard skills are skills where the rules stay the same regardless of which company, circumstance or people you work with. In contrast, soft skills are self management skills and people skills where the rules changes depending on the company culture and people you work with. Hard skills can be learned in school and from books. There are usually designated level of competency and a direct path as to how to excel with each hard skill. Most soft skills are not taught well in school and have to be learned on the job by trial and error.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills Which is more important? It depends highly on the career you choose. Careers can be put into 3 kind of categories. 1) Careers that need hard skills and little soft skills example: Physicists This is where you see brilliant people who cannot deal well with people. They can still be very successful in their career Ex. Albert Einstein

2) Careers that need both hard and soft skills (example: Accountants, Lawyers they need to know the rules of accounting or law well but they also depend on selling to clients to build a successful career. 3) Careers that need mostly soft skills and little hard skills (example: sales. A car salesman dont really need to know that much about cars. His job is more dependent on his ability to read his customers, communicate his sales pitch, persuasion skills, and skills to close the deal. These are all soft skills.) Start early and be your own trainer : The quest for acquiring soft skills should begin early. First and foremost, polishing up your act would require you to realise your lack of the skill. It is better to ask for an honest appraisal from someone who knows you well enough. Even an honest introspection would help. Grooming up: Take up formal training through workshops or an informal one through mentoring. Both ways, you need to pinpoint areas that need to be honed and develop the drive to follow through till you attain perfection. Effective communication skills: Effective communication skills are something every professional needs to possess. Verbal communication skill includes a one- to- one interaction, presentation/public speaking ability, and good telephonic skills. Written communication would include report writing, business writing and email etiquette. Listening skills are another vital aspect of the art of communication that is often ignored. Learn to give an ear to others, before you suggest your views. Interpersonal skills: The ability to work in a team can add tremendous value to your employability quotient. Interpersonal skills play an important role in this regard. Your ability to understand situations, fill in the missing pieces, connect and coordinate, and enlist the support of others are important parameters. Cultivating an attitude that is empathetic is therefore essential. Leading by example : Leadership skills in a professional are an added asset to a company. For instance, when Akansha joined her company as a trainee, the manager felt that she had the drive to take the initiative, she ensured that everything was running smoothly. The management also spotted in her the ability to make sound decisions. Good organisation skills accounted for her promotion to head the small group of peers whom she worked with. Learning and problem solving attitude :One should realise that a know-it-all, unteachable attitude wreaks disaster. Having an insatiable desire to learn is something that keeps a professional alert and open to improvement. Adaptability: Being adaptable is essential at a time when corporate scenarios are constantly changing and evolving. Being able to adapt and adjust quickly thus works to your advantage. Handling Stress: Managing stress and not buckling under pressure will help an employee be resilient. Managing time and resources effectively also accounts for a lot of professional success. The ability to multitask helps in cases when you have to coordinate a number of activities of your peers or subordinates, as well as take on additional responsibilities as and when the need arises. Benefits of Soft Skills : Soft Skills play a vital role for Professional success, they help one to excel in the workplace and their importance cannot be denied in this age of

information and knowledge. Good Soft Skills -- which are in fact scarce -- in the highly competitive corporate world will help you stand out in a milieu of routine job seekers with mediocre skills and talent. BENEFITS TO ORGANIZATION

BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS

Increased credibility with Customers Increased customers satisfaction More productive employees Out service the competition Strong team and leadership Demonstrated dedication to customer Service and support Measurable results Demonstrated knowledge and expertise of service , processes and technologies. Incentives, rewards, and challenges for Employees

Recognition from the industry, Employer and peers New employment opportunities Promotions and advanced opportunities Increased ability to perform on the job Lifelong credential Professional accomplishment As Entrepreneurs many many more......

Technical and job-related skills are a must, but they are not sufficient when it comes to progressing up the ladder. In the initial years of career, ones technical abilities are important to get good assignments. However, when it comes to growing in an organization, it is your personality that matters. Most of the people that we find in senior positions have exceptional soft skills .With stiff competition in the job market, those who are hard working, honest and competent with soft skills to match are the ones who will find a place, keep their jobs and excel in their careers.

Major Soft Skills

Interpersonal skills

Team spirit

Social grace

Business etiquette

Behaviourial traits such as attitude,time management

Negotiation skills