NAME: CHAPFUDZA TINOTENDA

REG NUMBER: R2110455

PROGRAMME: HICH

MODULE: SDLSSC301

LECTURER: MRS V. MUNESI

Identify any five common soft skills organizations look for when hiring and
justify the importance of these soft skills in any workplace environment.
Introduction

Soft skills are a combination of personal characteristics that enable people to interact with others
efficiently and happily. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, flexibility, time
management, creativity, and self-motivation are examples of people skills or interpersonal abilities
(Kunanusorn, 2021). Soft skills are more crucial in today's globalized world since they are required
for success in business and personal relationships. Employers are seeking people who have both
hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills, and studies have shown that in particular areas, such
as the hotel business, soft talents are typically chosen over hard skills. Soft skills are not typically
taught in traditional educational settings, and there is an increasing demand for educational
institutions to provide learning programs that allow students to build these competencies (Sá &
Serpa, 2022).

Soft skills are important in organizational contexts for a variety of reasons. These skills are crucial
in the workplace as they foster human connections and lead to more productive and collaborative
teams. Soft skills are a measure of a candidate's fit inside the organization. Soft talents are also not
industry-specific, they are important in creating successful connections and boosting job
performance, whether you're a software engineer, a salesperson, or a teacher. Moreover, soft skills
are more vital than ever in today's ever-changing workplace. They are no longer "nice-to-haves,"
but rather "must-haves" in nearly every role. Some of these important skills are explained below;

Communication

According to (Verčič, et al., 2012), communication is defined as the exchange of information,

ideas, and emotions between individuals or groups using various channels such as spoken or
written language, visual aids, and nonverbal clues. The ability to express information clearly and
simply, listen attentively, and respond appropriately to feedback is required for effective
communication. Communication skills are vital for developing connections, resolving issues, and
boosting teamwork, all of which are required to achieve organizational goals.

Communication is regarded as a soft talent because it governs our interactions with others. It is
not a technical ability that can be measured or quantified in the same way that a hard skill can,
but rather a skill that influences how we comprehend and are understood by others. Effective
communication entails more than just being able to speak or write clearly. It is about empathy,
respect, and understanding, all of which are essential components of healthy interpersonal
interactions. So, while communication is not a "hard" talent, it has a very real and practical
influence. To summarize, communication is a key skill for success in the job and life, not only a
soft skill.

Team-work (cooperation)

Teamwork is an important soft skill because it allows a group of people with varied abilities and
talents to work together toward a common objective. Effective communication, teamwork, goal-
setting, decision-making, and open communication are all required. In the workplace, teamwork
is vital because it allows individuals to offer their ideas, collaborate with others to create and
develop projects, and achieve more collectively. Working in a group allows people to learn from
one another's mistakes, avoid future mistakes, and get insight from different points of view. As a
result, teamwork is an important soft skill since it improves efficiency, facilitates learning,
inspires creativity, improves conflict resolution abilities, creates relationships, and promotes
accountability.

Problem-solving

Problem-solving is an important soft skill that entails being able to detect, evaluate, and solve
complicated challenges methodically and effectively. Because of its impact on productivity,
creativity, and overall organizational success, it is highly appreciated by employers across a wide
range of industries. This soft skill is essential for critical thinking, adaptability, innovation, and
conflict resolution (Lee, et al., 2019). Individuals with problem-solving skills have enhanced
decision making, increased efficiency amongst other positive attributes. Problem-solving is an
important soft skill because it allows people to manage problems, make educated decisions, and
promote innovation inside businesses, eventually contributing to their success.
Time management

Time management is an important soft skill since it requires the capacity to prioritize work, allocate
time effectively, and fulfill deadlines. Time management as a soft skill is essential for productivity
which enables individuals to accomplish a lot in a certain period. Proper time management reduces
stress by avoiding last-minute rushes and trying to meet deadlines (Kumbhar, et al., 2021).
Individuals with great time management abilities are more likely to finish assignments and projects
on time, which contributes to the organization's overall performance. To summarize, time
management is a critical soft skill that allows people to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and
maximize productivity, eventually contributing to personal and organizational success.

Self-motivation

Self-motivation is an important soft talent that entails inspiring oneself to make the necessary
effort, take initiative, and act on the essential actions to begin or complete a goal or job. It is the
driving force behind your actions. Self-motivation enables individuals to be goal-oriented,
resilient, initiative, and proactive. Self-motivation is an important soft skill because it allows
people to create and achieve objectives, overcome challenges, and drive innovation and growth
within businesses, eventually contributing to their success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, soft skills are an important aspect of our personal and professional lives. They not
only improve our connections with others, but they also greatly contribute to our success in a
variety of professions. Soft skills are extremely important since they complement hard skills and
give a holistic approach to problem-solving and decision-making. The demand for soft skills will
only grow as the world evolves, making it critical for individuals to constantly acquire and perfect
these skills. Investing time and effort in enhancing soft skills is thus not only advantageous but
also required for personal growth and professional advancement.
References
1. Gockel Blessing, E., Wood, T. & Grahovec, N. E., 2022. Case-by-Collaboration: An
Adaptable Soft Skills-Based Educational Model For Health Disciplines. Internet Journal
of Allied Health Sciences and Practice.
2. Kumbhar, A. A., Nicholas, J., Tom, S. & Kayande, D., 2021. Assessing Industrial
Readiness of Students by Leveraging Soft Skill Parameters. 2021 2nd International
Conference for Emerging Technology (INCET), pp. 1-5.
3. Kunanusorn, A., 2021. What are required basically by users of a Hotel Internship
Programme: Hard-skills or Soft-skills?. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal,
Volume 8, pp. 505-521.
4. Lee, M. F., Sohod, S. N. & Rahman, A., 2019. Exploring the Mastery Level of Critical
Thinking and Problem-Solving Skill among Technical Undergraduate. Journal of
Technical Education and Training.
5. Sá, M. J. & Serpa, S., 2022. Higher Education as a Promoter of Soft Skills in a
Sustainable Society. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching .
6. Verčič, A. T., Verčič, D. & Sriramesh, K., 2012. Internal communication: Definition,
parameters, and the future. Public Relations Review, Volume 38, pp. 223-230.