Page 15 - Effective Communication Soft Skills Strategies For Success by Nitin Bhatnagar, Mamta Bhatnagar

Project Name: Manual for Soft Skills
ACE Pro India Pvt. Ltd.
\\mtpdy01\Womat\Indesign\Bhatnagar-Manual for Soft skills\06-Pagination\06-A-Finals\06-AA-Appl\Bhatnagar_Chapter 01.indd

Soft Skills: Growing Importance | 3

referring as they do to a very diverse range of abilities. Let us examine these
aspects of soft skills.

SOFT SKILLS

In contrast to hard skills, soft skills are generally interpersonal competencies
and are more difficult to define due to their subjectivity, which consequently
makes them difficult to measure. Typically, included in the ambit of the soft
skills are the following:

• Listening skills
• Communication skills
• Team-building skills
• Leadership skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Time management skills
• Persuasion skills

• Negotiation skills
• Analytical thinking skills
• Conflict management skills
• Assertiveness skills
• Feedback skills
• Counselling skills
• Presentation skills

• Mentoring
• Flexibility
• Self-awareness
The above list of soft skills presents issues related to human capital. For example,
Ravi, a B.Tech. graduate from Indian Institute of Technology, has problems
in being assertive and is generally bullied by his friends. While Sita’s profes-
sional skills are far more superior, she has difficulty in managing her time.
Ravi’s non-assertiveness and Sita’s inefficient time management can both
be regarded as a lack of soft skills being detrimental to their professional
and personal success. Soft skills are as important and often even more impor-
tant than technological skills for an individual to succeed. One can achieve
synergy if one can combine both hard and soft skills.

Bhatnagar_Chapter 01.indd 3 2011-06-23 7:54:59 PM
Modified Date: Thu, Jun 23, 2011 06:19:03 PM Output Date: Thu, Jun 23, 2011 07:54:59 PM
TEMPLATE Page Number: PB