Page 346 - Effective Communication Soft Skills Strategies For Success by Nitin Bhatnagar, Mamta Bhatnagar

334 | Model Question Papers

The conflict could involve a child, a parent, a friend, a co-worker, a teacher, a boss, or
anyone. This involves respectfully discussing as equals the general situation with the
other person, so that one can understand his/her situation and interests. Integrative
solutions require both sides to carefully identify how their preferences are different
and how they are similar. Then a solution is built on the similarities—similar ways of
doing things, similar values, and similar desired outcomes. Both parties must view the
conflict as a problem to be solved by them in the best way possible, not just fairly but
optimally, even creatively. Both parties should be open and honest, not deceptive and
manipulative. Trust must be built. Both parties work hard together to develop a wise,
workable, ‘win-win’ solution.

b. Hard skills and soft skills can be defined as follows:
Hard skills
Hard skills are the technical competencies that an individual possesses, skills gained
through educational learning, and practical hands-on application. Hard skills are
quantitative in nature and can be measured. Raja, a 10 standard student can do any
th
complicated sum in mathematics within no time. Padma, a 10 standard student has
th
a very good grasp of science concepts. She can do even complex problems in science,
very easily. Raja’s and Padma’s skill in mathematics and science drives them to choose
engineering and medicine respectively. In the due course of time, Raja completes his
B.Tech. from the Indian Institute of Technology and Padma completes her M.B.B.S.
from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Both their skills in engineering
and medicine can be called as hard skills, which they have learned through learning
over a period of time. Their skills are quantitative, which means that their skills
can be seen in terms of grades and percentages. Their skills are also comparable.
In other words hard skills are essentially the technical abilities required to do a
particular job or perform a specialized task. For example, a machinist must have the
skills- the knowledge and know-how-to read technical diagrams and to shape metal to
exacting specifications using a variety of equipment. A degree, diploma, or a certificate
confirms that the relevant abilities necessary to perform a particular job have been
sufficiently mastered. Hard skills are vital to get into employment. However, hard skills
alone might not suffice to survive successfully. Soft skills are important in addition to
hard skills. While the term hard skills, or technical skills, is a relatively straightforward
concept, soft skills is somewhat more difficult to pin down, referring as it does to a very
diverse range of abilities.

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

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