Preparing for the 21st Century: Soft Skills Matter

Chansamone O’Meara

ET

References

Graham, S. (February 24, 2015). Preparing for the 21st Century: Soft Skills Matter. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stedman-graham/preparing-for-the-21st-ce_b_6738538.html

This article written by Stedman Graham talks about how many people are still operating under the “20th century paradigm”  and how every employee and potential employees must be armed with 21st century skills.  The Association of American Colleges and Universities conducted a study that showed a gap in the perceptions in desirable skills, education, and training from students and their potential employer.  21st century skills include hard and soft skills.  Most people operate under the impression that they only need hard skills to advance in their careers. . “Hard skills are easily defined and obviously measurable. They include technical mastery and vocational qualifications.” They are skills that are taught and mastered by people in a formal education setting.  “Soft skills are intangible and difficult to measure; while they greatly impact an individual's chances for success, they are not normally taught through traditional education.”  Soft skills can be taught but generally not included in a formal education setting.  Examples of soft skills are “team building, eye contact, analysis of body language, and conflict resolution.”  Soft skills are an essential and critical part of most business operations.  “In business we can negotiate contracts and form relationships through email and texting, with no person-to-person interactions.”  Soft skills are about relationship and building relationships.  Graham points out that many people are not getting enough experience practicing and honing these soft skills.  People are constantly being challenged with the every evolving methods of communication.  How a person can communicate effectively through the various methods of communication such as email and texts are critical to a company’s success.

Hard skills are important and they are what people will build a resume around. They will be what employers will look at when hiring an employee. Hard skills will get employees hired but not advance within the company. “As careers develop, hard skills, which can be delegated, matter less and less, while soft skills continue to play the biggest role in determining your chances of achieving success.” The blending of both hard and soft skills will be essential in people’s employment achievements and opportunities.

Evaluation:

I like this article a lot because Graham makes some very valid points about the importance of soft skills. Most people would not think that soft skills are something to be cultivated and developed in the digital age.  I believe that is even more important today than in the past.  In the digital age, more and more people are having to collaborate, communicate, and work in some virtual environment.  Being able to clearly and effectively communicate thoughts and ideas online can be very challenging.  It is very easy to encounter miscommunication problems when tone and intent in an email and message can be difficult to convey.  It makes it more essential to develop those skills so someone doesn’t misconstrue the message.  Web 2.0 tools has made meetings and collaboration online a very common and expected part of school and work.  If people do not develop the ability to work and communicate effectively in the digital age, they may get left behind.