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HUMAN RESOURCES IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING SOFT SKILLS OF EMPLOYEES Anjali Grover - PGDGBO, Shri Ram College of Commerce, New Delhi
When dealing with people, let us remember that we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bustling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.� The general importance in employment is given to abilities, training and other hard skills. Soft skills are sometimes undervalued, but they play a very important role in the organisation. These are interpersonal skills involving the ability to create and maintain a work relationship with others. Employers want programmers who are at the top position. But more importantly, they also want employees who can define their goals clearly, work well with others and build relationships with co-workers, and take initiative. About 92% of global hiring managers agree to the fact that candidates with soft skills are very important for the success of a company. Only 53% managers say their companies have a formal process for accessing soft skills. Suppose you have to visit an eye doctor for regular check-up, and you have two options available. One doctor gives you less time, is in a hurry and doesn’t answer your questions regarding your ailments properly and talks in a rather unhappy tone while the other doctor gives you more time, answers your questions properly and has a positive approach. Though Both are equally good in treatment. Which eye doctor would you go to?
The question becomes a rhetoric one and the answer lies in the fact that equal priority should be given to soft skills as given to hard skills. In any organisation, there is a need of people who can communicate in writing, people who really know how to have a conversation, people capable of paying attention, and patience. The problem lies in not giving importance to the soft skills. Organizations expect that people know these soft skills beforehand, and they know how to behave at the workplace in an appropriate manner. They think that everyone is capable of understanding the importance of being on time, taking initiatives, being patient and also producing high-quality work, but this is certainly not possible. The reason being that every organization carries different work culture. Focussing on the need of the soft skills and as to why is it so significant for an organisation. The most important reason in empowerment. Soft skills are essential for career progression. The question that comes up next is- Can you convince the interviewer or client that you will solve his problems and deliver value to the organisation? There are opportunities as well as challenges and competition. We need to be oriented towards developing the soft-skills which enhance their relationship with clients. What are these soft skills and how these can be built? The soft skills need to be build up as communicative skills, critical thinking and
