How to develop soft skills or soft skills?
Publication

Soft skills: How to develop them?

April 19 2022
Maria Fernanda Vargas Cordova

The changes that were triggered by the pandemic were crucial and took us towards the fourth industrial revolution or revolution 4.0, with a speed for which we were not prepared. This transition, which is characterized by the different transformations and Technological innovations have put the focus of attention on the importance of developing soft skills or soft skills

Today we move in a VICAH world, a term used a few years ago to define the new scenario facing businesses: volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous and hyperconnected. Faced with the wave of changes, the reaction of many professionals may be to focus on updating in the use of new technologies, however, experts indicate that attention should be focused on the skills necessary to manage the evolution that has accelerated with the pandemic. 

Jay Rao, Ph.D. of Anderson Graduate School of Management (UCLA), highlights that innovation is the main tool to lead today's world, for which “It is necessary to acquire the skills that allow managing uncertainty”, highlights.

How to learn to manage these new scenarios? 

soft skills or soft skills become a key piece to adapt to changes. Deloitte Talent Trends, ensures that “soft skills or human abilities are becoming more and more relevant in the context of the future of work. To solve problems, make decisions, lead teams, among others, will be a constant, regardless of the degree of automation and adoption of new information technologies that are developed”.

And these soft skills that are talked about so much go beyond technical or measurable skills, they are competencies that describe the way of working and relating to work teams. Are are differentiating skills and, although they are not technical, they have a strong impact on organizations and help build an attractive profile.

A report from McKinsey & Company reveals that recruiters are currently struggling to find professionals with the human skills needed to deal with the automated world. Among them they mention: problem solving, critical thinking, innovation, creativity, resilience and communication

How to develop them?

Regardless of your area of ​​professional development, there are three steps you need to take to work on your soft skills, here they are:

  1. Evaluate your profile. Take some time to analyze your strengths and weaknesses, if you need it ask for help from a mentor or a career consultant who can guide you. Identify which skills you want to develop and which ones you need for the career you want to build. It is very important to take into account the current demands of the market.
  2. Create an action plan. Trace the best route to achieve the professional competencies you have identified. At this point, we recommend you investigate and ask for advice to establish the path that will really help you achieve them. 
  3. Get ready to learn. It's time to get out of your comfort zone! Training will allow you to take your profile to the next level. To strengthen the skills you have recognized, it is essential to put yourself to the test and accept new challenges for your career.

At INCAE Business School we believe that quality training is needed to train leaders who are up to today's challenges. So our programs they have the perfect balance between the technical and human skills most demanded by the labor market. The development of these skills takes place in the classroom, facing real problems, from real companies in a controlled environment, through the case method that we inherited from Harvard Business School. This learning method allows you to strengthen skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience in spaces that are characterized by the diversity of cultures and disciplines. 

Subscribe to our blog