“Myths and Truths About Soft Skills” – Prof.M.S.Rao

“Soft skills are the traits and abilities of attitude and behaviour rather than of knowledge or technical aptitude” - Tobin

There are several myths about soft skills among many people. It is the time to bust the myths with truths. We shall look at the same.

1. People equate soft skills with English speaking skills. It is a myth. The fact is that soft skills have no connection with a specific language. Soft skills deal with how you speak but not in which language you speak.

2. People often use communication skills as soft skills. It is another myth. The truth is that the communication skills deal with speaking and writing skills and how effectively one is good at. In fact, communication skills are subset of soft skills. Soft skills are broader in nature and much beyond communication skills. Soft skills focus on how one speaks. For instance, ‘don’t smoke’ is what comes under normal communication. However, if you say, ‘thanks for not smoking’ it demonstrates soft skills. In a nut shell, soft skills emphasize on how one speaks pleasingly and politely.

3. People with soft skills can succeed anywhere and everywhere. It is another myth. With soft skills people can survive but not succeed. Here is the thin line that separates survival and success. That fact is that people, by blending soft skills with hard skills, can succeed in any sphere. Hard skills mean the core skills. These are also known as technical skills and domain skills. In the corporate world, a few people think just because they are good at soft skills they can achieve anything and everything. Without having technical expertise and command no professional will succeed at the workplace. Therefore, both soft and hard skills are essential for people to excel professionally.

4. People with soft skills are soft in nature. It is a myth again. The truth is that people with soft skills are assertive in nature. They are neither submissive nor aggressive. They protect their rights without offending the rights of others. They know the art of saying ‘no’ firmly but politely.

By the way, what are soft skills? These are the collection of skills and abilities such as communication skills, time management skills, negotiation skills, team building skills, interpersonal skills, trouble-shooting skills, corporate etiquette, emotional intelligence and other smart skills. In fact, the list is very lengthy. These soft skills are referred with different names such as people skills, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills in various parts of the world.

These are both intrapersonal and interpersonal skills that determine a person’s ability to gel well with others and excel at the corporate world. It is often difficult to quantify soft skills unlike hard skills.

Soft skills enhance your success rate in all walks of your life - be in personal, professional and social life. It is one of the integral parts of leadership. As Daniel Goleman emphasized on emotional intelligence for effective leadership, the soft skills also make an individual as a successful and effective leader.

To sum up, soft skills are the skills and abilities about personality, attitude and behavior. When people demonstrate right personality, positive attitude and flexible behavior we can say that they possess soft skills.