Soft Skills: What They Are, Why They're Important, and How to Use Them with Your Team

Digital transformation has radically changed the world of work. Although technical “hard” skills are important, they are no longer enough; in fact, so-called “soft skills” are increasingly necessary. Therefore, when we talk about soft skills today, we must also take into account the changes brought about by Industry 4.0 and the greater agility required in the workplace within each organization—and, above all, with regard to each individual.

Hard and Soft Skills

Hard skills are the technical competencies that enable one to practice a profession, aimed at the production of goods and services. Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal and, above all, transferable: they are not specific to the industry in which one works or even the role held within a company; rather, they pertain to behavioral traits and depend on one’s sociocultural background and the way in which we relate to others. In summary, we can therefore say that hard skills—or vertical skills—concern what one knows how to do, while soft skills—or horizontal skills—are related to how one does it.  

But what are the key soft skills you can use with your team? On the one hand, there are intrapersonal soft skills such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and stress management; on the other hand, there are interpersonal soft skills—namely, the ability to communicate appropriately depending on the person you’re talking to and the context, active listening, empathy, teamwork, and, finally, conflict resolution.  

Soft Skills in Your Team

It is precisely these interpersonal skills that are truly important today, in an era of New Ways of Working. For those responsible for managing a team, it is essential to understand the “biodiversity” of their employees’ soft skills so that they can orchestrate a unique team, fostering innovation and competitiveness in the marketplace. Scott E. Page, a professor at the University of Michigan, also states in his book *The Difference* that, in reality, groups made up of people with diverse interpersonal skills outperform more homogeneous teams—even those composed of experts.  

In conclusion, here’s a look at the five soft skills that will be in highest demand in the coming years, according to the World Economic Forum:  

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1. Analytical thinking (strategic thinking)  

The ability to assess and analyze situations, taking the context into account and with a keen eye for detail, and to analyze reality in a systematic manner.  

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2. Stress Management and Cognitive Flexibility  

It’s about embracing change, treating it as a tool and a catalyst for action, not as an obstacle.  

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3. Ability to solve complex problems (problem solving)  

In uncertain, challenging, and complicated situations, being able to find different paths to a solution—often not in a linear way.

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4. Creativity

The ability to think outside the box, combining different elements in unexpected ways.  

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5. Leadership and Social Influence

The ability to lead others in the right direction, not through the weight of authority but as a guide and influential role model.  

Soft skills and leadership are two closely interrelated topics, and the link between them is fostering the best attitude and mindset in people.

That’s exactly why, at —the “hi” habit-inspiring platform— we’ve developed Agile Leadership Coaching Plan: a training program that will help you develop behaviors and new habits in a contextual, on-the-job setting, making the most of your employees’ soft skills and using technology as a harmonious support for their growth.

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