As humans continue to move out of their offices and robots continue to move in to them, it may be a good time to check out our Soft Skills. Humans do have exclusive rights to Soft Skills after all but we had better get a move-on because The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Call Centres there are using robots ‘to hold conversations!!?’
Why Soft Skills?
Let’s remind ourselves why Soft Skills are essential. Unlike Hard Skills which are constructed around a rigid framework of rules and principles… Accounting for example or Quantity Surveying… Soft Skills are driven by us, the users.
Soft Skills smooth out those interpersonal collisions, like the loose ends that suddenly come out at the end of a project and become the subject of a frenzied trade off with the client which could have been avoided if Soft Skills had been applied at the start allowing everything to be handled in a cooperative and constructive. w
Engagement is Key
Making A Case, Responding to Pressure and Brainstorming…these are Soft Skills that get our concerns on the table and encourage collaboration. They require initiative, thoughtfulness, and the ability to frame issues and put them into context for everyone to see.
But above all, these Soft Skills trigger engagement, and an understanding of what we need to deliver for each other. They provide the grease that gets us out of those tight spots and misunderstandings that suddenly flare up. Everyone is on the same page.
A Vital Role
Not all humans can handle Soft Skills… for example, patience, sensitivity and a good memory are essential for managing Soft Skills but they don’t come naturally to everyone. However, for those who can handle it and who thrive on being the Facilitator, there is a vital role to play that will lead to high visibility in the organisation.
After working in sales and then purchasing roles for almost 18 years with companies in the UK, Japan, Korea and then here in Hong Kong, I became involved in the field of business skills development. 20 years later, my special interests in this area are individual management style building, interpersonal communication and influencing strategies. 