In today’s rapidly changing professional landscape, technical proficiency and role-specific skills no longer guarantee career advancement. Employers are increasingly looking for individuals with strong people skills or who are willing to upskill to enhance their soft skills. Soft Skills are those intangible qualities that facilitate effective collaboration, adaptability, problem-solving and leadership. Recognising and cultivating these skills are essential for employees aiming to thrive and progress in the modern workplace.
Understanding Soft Skills
I like to define Soft skills as interpersonal or people skills that include a range of abilities that dictate how people interact within their workplace. These include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Unlike specific hard skills and teachable abilities such as machine skills or accounting, soft skills are more about how you approach relationships and manage challenges. They are applicable across all disciplines and are often the dealbreakers that distinguish good or exceptional employees.
The Increasing Importance of Soft Skills
The demand from employers for soft skills has surged in recent years, mainly driven by innovation:
- As automation and artificial intelligence (AI) take over routine workplace tasks, employees must be able to demonstrate empathy, critical thinking, and creativity; this is why soft skills are vital. I visited an engineering company recently and noticed a robot moving files between staff in an open-plan office; presumably to improve productivity but, in my opinion, at the cost of human interaction.
- With businesses operating across borders and time zones, the ability to communicate effectively with diverse teams and adapt to various cultural contexts is indispensable. These days my meetings and our virtual training span time zones and cultures – yesterday, my last meeting of the day was with a client in India, and today, my last meeting is with a Medical Devices company in the USA.
- Modern workplaces strive for collaboration over hierarchy, making teamwork and interpersonal communication vital for business continuity. Our teamwork and team development courses are more popular than ever with the main focus placed on communication, relationships and emotional intelligence.
- With Millennials and Gen Z (digital natives) forming a large part of the workforce, there is a growing need to ‘bridge the gap’ in communication/soft skills. While these two generations have grown up with technology, their reliance on digital interactions has impacted their ability to use the sophisticated interpersonal skills required for workplace success. This makes soft skills training crucial to ensure seamless collaboration across different generations. However, training alone won’t close the gap – I recommend that experienced team members be encouraged to coach/mentor their junior counterparts to ensure that a solid skills base is established across the organisation.
Soft Skills for Employee Growth
If you want to excel in the contemporary workplace, employees should focus on developing the following soft skills:
The ability to explain ideas clearly and listen actively is a foundational soft skill. Effective communication fosters better teamwork and workplace harmony.
In a world where change is constant, being open to new ideas and flexible in your approach to solving problems is also an essential skill set.
Employers value people who can analyse situations, think critically, and devise innovative solutions to unexpected challenges.
Understanding and managing your emotions, as well as empathising with others, improves collaboration, leadership and decision-making, which means that Emotional Intelligence is one of the most sought-after soft skills in the modern workplace.
If you show your employer that you can work effectively within a team, appreciate diverse perspectives and demonstrate humility, you are more likely to get noticed when progression opportunities open up.
Even without formal authority, if you want to get ahead in your career, you should demonstrate good leadership by using your initiative to inspire and motivate others.
The Role of Soft Skills in Career Progression
Employers increasingly recognise that while technical skills are essential, soft skills are what drive organisational success. In my work where I teach soft skills primarily, I use feedback from employers and future skills research to inform my practice and to engage course participants in debate and discussion about the future of workplace skills. According to a recent Business Insider report, companies are now emphasising the need for employees to develop soft skills to keep pace with AI advancements and the evolving job market. Another report by Reuters (February 24) highlights that investing in soft skills, such as communication and problem-solving, is crucial for career success, especially in a technology-driven economy.
My Advice for Employees Seeking Progression Opportunities
If you want to advance your career, take my advice and focus on soft skills development; this should be a strategic move with a clear plan of action. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Regularly ask colleagues and supervisors for constructive feedback on your interpersonal interactions and areas for improvement.
- Look out for workshops, seminars, or online courses focused on communication, leadership, and other soft skills. Skillnet Ireland and regional Skillnets are a great source of learning opportunities for up-and-coming employees. They offer funded courses for employees at all levels.
- Work with cross-functional teams or take on projects outside your usual scope to build adaptability and broaden your perspective.
- Focus on truly understanding others’ viewpoints before responding, this enhances empathy and fosters collaboration.
- Find a mentor and offer to mentor others; this can provide valuable insights and accelerate professional growth.
- Self-reflection and goal setting will help you to recognise and identify your strengths and growth areas.
From my experience as a trainer, facilitator, career coach, and EQI assessor, I’ve seen firsthand that in today’s workplace, technical skills can be learned, automated, or outsourced, but soft skills remain the true differentiators for career growth and long-term success. Employees who intentionally develop their emotional intelligence, communication, adaptability, and leadership skills position themselves as invaluable assets to their employers. I always advise professionals to approach soft-skill development as an ongoing journey, not a one-time effort. Continuous improvement in these areas isn’t just a nice-to-have career add-on; it is an essential element for all employees who want to thrive in an unpredictable and evolving professional landscape. For more information contact me on 086 3897409 or email me at janet@newlinkstraining.com
Janet Tumulty
14.3.25