Soft Skills

Soft skills are character traits and interpersonal skills that characterize a person's ability
to interact effectively with others. In the workplace, soft skills are considered to be a
complement to hard skills, which refer to a person's knowledge and occupational skills.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

Workers acquire hard skills through formal education, training programs, and
concentrated effort.

Hard skills are the quantifiable skills that workers need to successfully perform a
specific job.

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.

Soft skills include interpersonal (people) skills, communication skills, listening skills, time
management, problem-solving, leadership, and empathy, among others.

They are among the top skills employers seek in the candidates they hire because soft
skills are important for just about every job.

Hard Skills:

Definition: Hard skills refer to specific, teachable abilities or knowledge that can be
quantified and measured. These skills are often job-specific and can be acquired
through education, training, or experience.

Examples: Programming languages, data analysis, graphic design, project

management, accounting, foreign languages, machine operation, etc.

Acquisition: Typically learned through formal education, training programs, certifications,

or hands-on experience.
Measurability: Hard skills can be objectively assessed and tested. They are often
specific and easily demonstrable.

Soft Skills:

Definition: Soft skills, also known as interpersonal or people skills, are less tangible and
relate to an individual's ability to interact effectively with others and navigate social
situations.

Examples: Communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, creativity,

leadership, emotional intelligence, time management, etc.

Acquisition: Developed through life experiences, interactions, and self-awareness.

While they can be refined over time, they are often considered inherent personality
traits.

Measurability: Soft skills are subjective and challenging to quantify. They are evaluated
through observation, feedback, and the impact on relationships and work dynamics.

Key Differences:

Tangibility: Hard skills are concrete and measurable, while soft skills are more abstract
and qualitative.

Teachability: Hard skills are teachable through formal education and training, while soft
skills are often developed through experience and self-awareness.

Application: Hard skills are job-specific and technical, directly related to performing
tasks, while soft skills are crucial for effective communication, collaboration, and overall
interpersonal success.

Adaptability: Hard skills may become outdated as technology evolves, requiring

continuous learning, whereas soft skills remain relevant and adaptable across various
roles and industries.
What is Communication?

The English word ‘communication’ is derived from the Latin communis, which means
common sense.
The word communication means sharing the same ideas. In other words, the
transmission and interaction of facts, ideas, opinions, feelings or attitudes.
Communication is the essence of management.
The basic function of management (planning, planning, staffing, supervision and
management) cannot be done effectively without effective communication.

Communication is a two-way process which involves transferring of information or

messages from one person or group to another. This process goes on and includes a
minimum of one sender and receiver to pass on the messages. These messages can
either be any ideas, imagination, emotions, or thoughts.

Communication is a Latin word which means “to share”. There are different modes of
communication available today. These include emails, chats, WhatsApp, skype
(conference calls), etc. Effective communication makes people’s work easier and
smooth.

Definition
“a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common
system of symbols, signs, or behavior”

“Communication is an intercourse by words, letters, symbols or messages, and is a way

that one organisation member shares meaning and understanding with another”. –
Koontz and O’ Donnell

“Communication is a process by which people create and share information with one
another in order to reach common understanding”. – Rogers
According to that analysis, the soft skills that were most in demand are:

Communication skills
Customer service
Scheduling
Time management skills
Project management
Analytical thinking
Compliance
Ability to work independently
Interpersonal skills
Flexibility
Problem-solving skills
Attention to detail
Collaboration
Innovation
Mentoring
English
Multitasking
Accuracy
Proactive

Features of Communication:
Communication is an unavoidable system.
It is a two-way process.
It is a social activity.
It is a continuous process.
It is universal.
It may be formal or informal.

Communication Process
Communication is an ongoing process that mainly involves three components namely.
sender, message, and recipient. The components involved in the communication
process are described below in detail:

1. Sender:

The sender or contact generates the message and transmits it to the recipient.
He is the source and the first contact

2. Message:

It is an idea, knowledge, opinion, truth, feeling, etc. produced by the sender and
intended for reference.

3. Encoding:

The message produced by the sender is encrypted in a symbolic way such as

words, pictures, touches, etc. before transfer.

4. The media:

This is how the coded message is conveyed. The message can be conveyed
orally or in writing.

5. Recording:

It is a process of modifying the signals sent by the sender. After recording the
message is received by the recipient.

6. Recipient:

You are the last person in the chain and the message you sent was sent. If the
recipient receives the message and understands it correctly and acts on the
message, only then the purpose of the communication is achieved.

7. Answer:

Once the recipient confirms to the sender that you received the message and
understood it, the communication process is complete.

8. Noise:
Refers to any restrictions caused by the sender, message or recipient during the
communication process. For example, incorrect telephone connection, incorrect
coding, incorrect recording, careless recipient, incorrect understanding of
message due to discrimination or inappropriate touch, etc.