Picture this: A manager who once struggled with conflict resolution now expertly calms a heated team argument during a meeting. Or a coworker who used to be shy about speaking up, now confidently leads a presentation and drives the team forward. These moments not only highlight the power and importance of soft skills, but also show how they can be developed and improved—even if they haven’t always been a personal strength.
Soft skills are the backbone of workplace relationships—those interpersonal and communication abilities that help us connect with others and navigate both work and life situations with ease. And despite what people think, they can absolutely be learned, practiced, and perfected.
In this article, we'll dive deeper into what soft skills are and why they matter in the workplace. We’ll also provide key examples, outline how they can be learned, and share actionable tips for improving them.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills are a set of interpersonal and emotional intelligence abilities that influence how individuals interact, communicate, and collaborate with others. They are more about behavior and personality traits, and affect everything from how you approach teamwork to how well you adapt to change or manage conflicts.
Soft skills vs. hard skills
Hard skills are measurable, teachable abilities tied to specific tasks, such as coding, accounting, or graphic design. In contrast, soft skills are less tangible and harder to quantify, focusing instead on how you interact with others and approach challenges.
While hard skills help you secure a job, soft skills ensure you succeed and grow within that role. For example, a project manager might have technical knowledge of planning tools (hard skill) but needs leadership and communication abilities (soft skills) to guide their team.
Common soft skills examples
Soft skills encompass a wide range of abilities that are vital across industries and roles. Some of the most important include:
- Communication skills: Active listening, clear articulation, and nonverbal communication
- Problem-solving: Analyzing issues, thinking critically, and making informed decisions
- Adaptability: Flexibility to handle unexpected changes or challenges
- Leadership: Inspiring, motivating, and guiding a team toward goals
- Teamwork: Collaborating effectively and building strong relationships
- Time management: Prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and managing workloads efficiently
Why are soft skills important?
Soft skills are essential at every stage of life, from education to career growth and leadership. They foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. Companies have realized that technical skills alone aren’t enough—emotional intelligence is key to succeeding in today’s fast-paced work environment.
Take communication skills, for example. The trick isn’t just to start talking, it’s about listening actively. In a meeting, when you listen carefully or provide clear instructions, it helps everyone understand what’s expected.
Adaptability is equally important. For instance, if your company switches to remote work and introduces a new project management tool, quickly learning it and guiding your team through the change shows resilience and leadership.
These soft skills aren’t essential for building better relationships, improving productivity, and creating a positive work environment.
Can soft skills be learned or improved?
Some believe that qualities like empathy, communication, and leadership are inborn traits that only a few people possess. But more often, others agree that soft skills can be developed and refined through practice, intention, and commitment.
“Yes, soft skills can be learned from life experiences and from recognizing their importance,” says Lynn Berger, a career counselor and coach. “As a society and within our educational systems, many people are rewarded for technical skills rather than soft skills. Over time, most people come to recognize the value of soft skills and can take steps to improve them.”
Improving soft skills is an ongoing process. Whether you’re working to enhance your communication, adaptability, or leadership abilities, several strategies and tips can help you boost these essential traits.
How to improve soft skills in the workplace
Learning how to develop your soft skills is as simple as following these six steps.
1. Engage in active practice
Don’t just read about skills like communication or leadership—apply them in real-life situations. For instance, if you’re looking to strengthen your communication skills, you could volunteer to lead a team meeting or give a presentation. Practicing these situations builds confidence and hones your ability to articulate your ideas clearly.
If your goal is to improve your teamwork skills, consider going outside your comfort zone and collaborating with colleagues on a project that goes beyond your usual responsibilities. This can help you learn how to communicate effectively, share responsibilities, and adapt to various perspectives within a team.
2. Seek feedback and build self-awareness
Feedback is a cornerstone of soft skill development. Constructive feedback helps you understand your strengths and areas that need improvement. It can come from colleagues, mentors, coaches, or even self-assessment tools.
Use feedback to identify and address blind spots in your behavior and communication. Apply these outside insights to future interactions to truly strengthen your collaboration abilities.
Read this next: 4 Steps for Asking for (and Getting) Truly Honest Feedback
3. Take classes and training programs
Soft skills classes and training programs can provide structure and guided learning. For example, if you’re looking to enhance your time management skills, a course that teaches prioritization techniques and the use of productivity tools can offer valuable strategies. During such soft skills training, you can learn methods like the Eisenhower Matrix to help prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
4. Join peer groups and mentorship programs
Mentorship can be particularly valuable in cultivating soft skills, as mentors can share their experiences, offer guidance, and encourage mentees to step out of their comfort zones. (Here’s how to find a mentor who’s right for you.)
In peer groups, participants can practice skills like active listening, assertiveness, and leadership in a collaborative environment, which helps reinforce learning and boosts confidence.
Consider joining a professional organization or community group where you can participate in discussions, or do volunteer work to improve your leadership and adaptability. As you take on various roles and tasks, you’ll learn how to navigate different challenges, communicate with others, and adapt to dynamic environments.
5. Participate in activities and workshops
Engaging in interactive activities can be both enjoyable and beneficial for building soft skills. Team-building exercises, workshops, and simulations can teach leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution in an engaging way. For example, a workshop on problem-solving might involve case studies where participants work together to come up with creative solutions, providing a hands-on way to enhance collaborative skills and critical thinking.
6. Overcome challenges and stay consistent
Developing soft skills often comes with its own set of challenges, like feeling nervous about public speaking, struggling with active listening, or finding it hard to navigate conflicts. These hurdles can make the process seem daunting at first, but they’re a natural part of growth.
To overcome these initial difficulties, set small, achievable goals for yourself. If public speaking is intimidating, start by speaking up more in small meetings before moving on to larger presentations. It may feel awkward or uncomfortable at first, but being consistent and patient with yourself is key to progress.
Highlight your soft skills in your next interview—check these amazing open jobs on The Muse and find the perfect fit for you »
Master the art of soft skills
Soft skills are important for both personal and professional growth, impacting how you communicate, lead, solve problems, and work with others. While some people might have a natural aptitude for certain soft skills, anyone can learn and improve these abilities over time. Engaging in activities that challenge you to practice skills like communication, adaptability, and leadership, is an investment in your long-term success.
Start your soft skills improvement plan by identifying the areas where you need growth, practicing in real-life situations, seeking feedback, and using resources like workshops, coaching, and peer discussions. Remember, the process might have its challenges, but with patience and dedication, the benefits—stronger relationships, better job performance, and greater career opportunities—are well worth the effort.
FAQs
How can you develop soft skills?
Developing soft skills takes practice and engagement. One effective method is active learning, such as role-playing scenarios or participating in team activities that challenge your communication, conflict resolution, and leadership abilities. Seeking feedback from peers and mentors is also beneficial for understanding your strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, joining workshops or taking courses focused on soft skills training can provide structured opportunities for growth.
Can soft skills be measured?
While soft skills are more subjective than hard skills, they can be measured through both self-assessment and external feedback. For example, managers may use 360-degree feedback tools to gain insights into an individual's communication and teamwork skills from colleagues, subordinates, and supervisors. Other tools include performance reviews that assess a person's ability to lead, work within a team, and adapt. Though they aren't as quantifiable as technical skills, soft skills can still be evaluated over time with observation, surveys, and peer assessments.
What are the challenges of improving soft skills?
Improving soft skills can be challenging, especially if individuals are unaware of their existing limitations or struggle to see the importance of these skills in their careers. One significant barrier is the discomfort associated with stepping out of one's comfort zone to practice new behaviors, such as speaking up in meetings or handling conflict. To overcome these challenges, it's essential to create a supportive environment that encourages trial and error and values learning from mistakes. Additionally, regular practice and feedback from trusted mentors or peers can help reinforce positive changes and build confidence in using these skills effectively.