Soft skills and hard skills: how important are they?

HARD SKILLS vs SOFT SKILLS

When we talk about hard skills, we're referring to technical and specific skills related to an area of expertise, such as programming knowledge, fluency in a foreign language or math’s skills. These skills are tangible and can be easily measured and learnt through training and practical experience.

Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal and behavioral skills that include aspects such as effective communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving or empathy. These skills are more subjective, but they play a crucial role in professional success, especially in interaction and collaboration between colleagues, clients and managers.

Which is the most important?

While hard skills are essential for performing specific and technical functions, soft skills are increasingly valued in today's labor market. The ability to communicate clearly, resolve conflicts, adapt to change and lead teams are characteristics that contribute significantly to professional growth and success in organizations. We now know that so-called soft skills play a crucial role in creating a positive and productive organizational climate. Employees who possess communication, empathy and teamwork skills contribute to a healthy working environment, favoring cooperation, motivation and commitment to achieving common goals and objectives.

DEVELOPING COMPETENCES

As competencies, both hard and soft skills can be developed throughout our lives, albeit in different ways. To develop hard skills, professionals can use specialized courses, workshops, certifications and continuous practice in their field. Assessments will therefore be based on quantifiable results and specific techniques. Improving soft skills, on the other hand, can involve communication training, coaching, feedback from colleagues and self-knowledge to identify points for improvement. These will then be measured through behavioral observations, feedback and interactions in the workplace.

THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF SKILLS ON ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE

The development and effective application of hard and soft skills brings a number of benefits to the organizational performance of companies that encourage the development of these skills,creating more resilient teams prepared to face challenges and promoting the sustainable growth of their organizations. 

We can say that investing in the development of these types of skills:

• They contribute to greater productivity within companies
• They open space for creativity
• They promote collaboration between colleagues
• Promote team motivation
• Promote employee satisfaction levels

Remember that a balanced combination of hard and soft skills is fundamental to the success of individual employees and the good performance of companies. Investing in the continuous development of these skills is essential for promoting a healthy, cooperative and productive working environment, positively impacting organizational growth and competitiveness, and one is not enough without the other.