Nancy Sharma
In the fast paced world of modern employment having technical expertise is essential but the story doesn’t end here. You may get your first job because of hard skills you mentioned in your resume or CV, but staying relevant and growing in your role requires something more human: soft skills.
In current scenario, as artificial intelligence automates more task, the value of interpersonal skills has increased suddenly. The ability to communicate, co-operate, lead and adapt has emerged as a key factor in long term career success. This is what we called the human edge.
Hard Skills: Ticket for getting in
Whenever you try to apply for a job you must fulfill essential qualification and for that everyone is busy in getting degrees and upgrade their CGPA. But is it really helpful for your career growth or it is just a ticket to get yourself enter. Many of us just want a job to settle down in the eyes of society and once we get in, it is rare that we make ourselves more worthy. Also most of us even don’t apply for the better opportunity as we become lethargic.
As we know most of the skills like coding for software engineers, accounting principles for CPS, graphic designer software for digital artist can be taught and usually obtain through formal education, certifications or job training, employers still value them highly. However once you are hired, success becomes less about what you know and more about how you apply it.
Why Soft Skills Become an Essential Part
Soft skills are interpersonal trait that help us to interact with others and solve problems. This include teamwork, growth mindset, work ethics, leadership and adaptability.
As AI tools and digital transformation reshape the industries, tasks that required technical skills are now being done through AI but soft skills remain helpful in every aspect after getting hired. Those skills cannot be taken over by anyone and make sure that nothing can stop you to reach on the heights.
According to a 2025 report by LinkedIn, the top skills are emotional intelligence, communication and adaptability- none of which are hard skills. Even in the highest paid jobs in IT sectors, teamwork and communicate effectively produced high quality work. Demonstrated Soft Skills
Think about two equally qualified journalists. Both are proficient in writing and reporting, understand the work culture and have competed in similar story. But one of them mediates team conflict, have critical thinking and interpersonal skills. What do you think who is more likely to be promoted?
Soft skills amplify your hard skills. They improve collaboration, reduce misunderstandings, and foster innovation. They help you build trust and influence, which are critical in leadership roles. In short, they turn good professionals into great ones.
Role of Soft Skills in Leadership
Leadership is a discipline where soft skills really shine. It is not only about taking decisions and control everything. Being an authority is a responsible task, it is about inspiring teams, resolving conflicts, guiding through change and growth. All of that requires empathy, communication, adaptability and patience. Look at leaders like Ratan Naval Tata, was a great industrialist and philanthropist is praised for his business acumen and ethical leadership. His ability to listen, unite teams and lead with humility has transformed TATA Group into the most innovative company in most of the sectors. His story is less about his educational intelligence but for his visionary leadership.
In today’s digital world, even growing number of companies prioritizing emotional intelligence in leadership development programs. Why? Because no matter how much our world get digitalized or AI efficient, one thing that lacks in them is emotions which is the only weapon or ability for human.
Develop your Software Skills:
Some of us get worried- maybe we lack in soft skills, How can we learn them? But here is a good news that unlike hard skills, we don’t have to do courses for soft skills. This process is more personal and ongoing.
- Strive for Feedback- Seek feedback from your friends, mentors, guides or family whenever communicate. None other than friends can show you a mirror. So try to ask them about your communication style, teamwork or leadership approach.
- Practice Active Listening- Try to be more focus on listening to others rather than speaking unnecessary in every situation and be less interruptive. This strengthens empathy and understanding.
- Join Different Teams- Make sure to work in diverse culture, most of us prefer to live and work under our comfortable zone which make us ‘a frog in the well’. When we interact with people from different backgrounds, it helps in building collaboration and adaptability.
- Volunteer for Leadership Roles- This can be done in schools, colleges or universities. Don’t wait for someone’s order to do something, your life is in your hand, take initiative yourself and put your efforts in small to bigger tasks by volunteering. This initiative can teach delegation and problem solving methods.
The most important part is to treat every interaction as an opportunity to learn something new and better. How you handle stressful situations? How to respond to the feedbacks? How to motivate others? These skills are not the inborn talent of anyone, only practice makes the man perfect.
But it doesn’t mean that once you acquire these skills, you start show off them. There is a different way to showcase them to make them visible in your job hunt or career growth. - In resumes mention team projects, conflict resolution or leadership responsibilities.
- During interviews share some stories that highlight your soft skills. Explain how to handle challenging team, adapted to change or solved communicate issues. But also make it concise and clear, don’t make them bore.
- In your workplace- make yourself dependable, communicate clearly, offer help to teammates. Let your actions speak louder than words. Don’t show off that you are an independent person and you can handle everything yourself. And don’t forget to stay open for feedback. Employers notice these behavioral traits more than degrees and certificates.
Hard skills may get you through the door but soft skills are what will keep you growing, connected and indispensable. So while you are working on coding language, financial models and certifications don’t forget to work on your skills that makes you human. Because in a world full of machines, soft skills are your greatest strength.