Asked about the future of work earlier this year, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella was adamant.

_We all have to.be much_**_more deliberate_**_\[and\] learn_**_a lot of soft skills_**_so that people-to-people connections are forming._  Satya Nadella \(1\).

In other words, people connections will be important, and we need soft skills to make those connections.

[Modern leaders](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/modernleader) make a big deal about soft skills.

[**Free Download** : 10 Leadership Qualities That Will Help Solve Challenges in 2023](https://thegrowthfaculty.ac-page.com/leadershipqualities)

Yet Deloitte says data from LinkedIn profiles shows **fewer than 1%** of Australians report having any soft skills on their profiles.

So, what are the soft skills needed for 2023 and beyond? What are their benefits? And how do you develop soft skills in the workplace? Lets take a look.

Soft skills are the human skills that ensure a **healthy workplace**.

Theyre skills like creative thinking, listening, teamwork, empathy, and flexibility.

_European Scientist_ says the term soft skills is equivalent to related terms such as life skills, talents, personal skills, or generic skills. \(2\)

They seem obvious, but without soft skills in the workplace you end up with a [toxic workplace](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/Toxicworkplaceculture).

What are soft skills?

Given soft skills are human skills, most of the appealing human traits and characteristics could be seen as examples of soft skills.

When recruiting, [onboarding](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/importanceofonboarding), engaging, [retaining](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/retentionmethods), and growing team members, these are the people skills to help you gain trust, loyalty, and respect.

In a moment I'll list out **8 of the most important soft skills** for 2023, and how to develop them. First, here's a brief list of some common examples of soft skills:

[Adaptability](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/adaptabilityinworkplace)

Communication

[Empathy](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/emotionalintelligence)

Listening

Creativity

Problem solving

[Teamwork](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/teambuilding)

[Positivity](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/positiveworkplaceculture)

Critical thinking

[Emotional intelligence](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/emotionalintelligence)

[Leadership ](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/10qualitiesallsuccessfulleadershaveincommon)

Work ethic

7 examples of soft skills

Put simply, hard skills are the learned, **technical skills** needed to perform in a role. They include such things as computer \(ICT\) literacy, financial management, reading and writing, or other skills particular to the job at hand.

Soft skills can be learned, but are **often intrinsic** in a person. If hiring for good soft skills is prioritised, its more likely your organisation will have a successful workplace culture.

For example, a CEO who is expert at e-commerce \(hard skillset\) _and_ a great listener and communicator \(soft skillset\) will do more for team culture than a bombastic technical expert.

Recruiters are aparently looking closer at a **mix of hard and soft skills** in new hires; those who can do the job but also get on with the team and contribute to the culture.

Hard skills vs soft skills

While artificial intelligence is becoming more human-like, theres evidence technology is increasing \(not decreasing\) the need for human skills in the workplace.

The World Economic Forum said **crucial proficiencies** in the 21st Century would include soft skills like collaboration, communication, persistence/grit, initiative, and social and cultural awareness. \(3\)

Lets look at the most important soft skills for 2023.

8 of the most important soft skills (and how to develop them)

86% of surveyed employees blame **company failures** on poor communication. \(4\)

Refusing to have difficult conversations, jumping to [give advice](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/advicemonsterdemotivatingteam), avoiding feedback, being vague \([sloppy requests](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/memberspotlight)  as one leadership coach calls them\), and struggling to build a trusting culture might be examples of poor communication.

Lets face it, **communication skills** are required every day to deal with a range of leader challenges. A team member who struggles to communicate effectively is behind from the beginning.

Communication

Many of Growth Facultys speakers teach communication skills.

- Accountability expert [Mark Green](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/accountabilityproductivity) says to **be transparent** in your communications, instead of playing your cards close to your chest.

- Mark is also a **fan of frequency**. He says that until your team literally rolls their eyes and finishes your sentences for you, youre not repeating yourself enough.

- Coaching expert [Michael Bungay Stanier](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/advicemonsterdemotivatingteam) believes in active listening and **staying curious** for longer in conversations.

- Radical Candor coach [Amy Sandler](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/radicalcandorgivingfeedback) says to **care personally** while you **challenge directly**.

- Storytelling expert [Yamini Naidu](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/businessstorytelling) says **telling a story** makes a message memorable.

How Do You Develop Communication Skills?

These soft skills are largely about **trust.**

Pat Lencioni, author of [_The Five Dysfunctions of a Team_](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/teambuilding) and [upcoming Global Headline speaker](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/event.php?eventId=a1J9g000000FJXCEA4) for Growth Faculty _,_ says trust is at **the core** of everything that is right or wrong with any team.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Pat says an _absence_ of trust is a **warning signal** that team members are not being vulnerable with each other, he explains. So, he suggests:

- **Create clarity**. Everyone on the team must be rowing in the same direction. The leaders at the top must be in lockstep with each other around 6 Critical Questions:

- Why do we exist?

- How do we behave?

- What do we do?

- How will we succeed?

- What is important, right now?

- Who must do what?

- **Be vulnerable**. No one is perfect, but team members must be vulnerable, and the leader has to go first, says Pat. Its vital for teams to have vulnerability-based trust at their core. This is where people feel safe to say I dont know answer to that, I think I made a mistake, Im sorry.

- **Work on self -awareness.** Work to know what impact your behaviour has on others \(and regulate that behaviour\)  and [inclusion and belonging](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/inclusionandbelongingatwork).

How to get better at collaboration and teamwork

Linda Kaplan Thaler grew up poor in the Bronx in the U.S. but through determination and grit co-founded with Robin Koval a highly successful ad agency Kaplan Thaler \(Anyone remember the 'When Harry Met Sally'-inspired, daring Yes, Yes, Yes campaign for Clairol Herbal Essences and the  _I dont want to grow up Im a Toys R Us Kid_  jingle?\).

In their book [_Grit to Great_](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/GREATIDEASGrittoGreatbyLindaKaplanThalerRobinKoval) , they credit their challenging upbringings for their strong work ethic and collaborative spirit.

Persistence/Grit

Linda says grit comes from **Guts, Resilience, Initiative** , and **Tenacity**. She suggests you:

- Look for your **intrinsic drivers** \(your internal goals and values\).

- Ask yourself **What do I stand for?**

- Be a **plodder** , not a dreamer.

- Deal with everyday **roadblocks** , dont focus too much on that dream of future success.

How do you develop grit?

A lot of [entrepreneurs](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/characteristicsofentrepreneurs) have **creativity** among their strongest characteristics. They can think up unusual, original, and innovative solutions to problems  a highly marketable skill.

_Some of the most creative people simply dont fit into well-behaved moulds,_ says Jim Collins in his book _B.E.2.0 \(Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0\). Theyre often_**_rebels_**_, irritating and somewhat out of control._

Creativity thrives best when others in the team are supportive, by actively developing soft skills like empathy, listening, and communication.

Creativity

Here are Growth Faculty speaker ideas on encouraging creativity in the workplace.

- **Kylie Lewis** says a [psychologically safe workplace](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/psychologicallysafeworkplaces) is where people are willing to take risks and continue making forward momentum. People feel a strong sense of [inclusion and belonging](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/inclusionandbelongingatwork).

- **Stephen M.R. Covey** says greatness is unleashed with a [trust and inspire leader](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/buildtrustinworkplace).

- **Creative solutions** to problems are more likely where [diversity and inclusion](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/diversityandinclusioninworkplace) is actively celebrated.

How Can You Be More Creative?

Putting yourself in **someone elses shoes** doesnt sound like much of a skill, but it most certainly is. In fact, the higher up the leadership ladder you go, the _more important_ it is.

As we say in our [article on Emotional Intelligence](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/emotionalintelligence), empathy is a **powerful** communication skill that honours anothers feelings.

A leader with empathy is better at giving critical feedback, being a good listener, and building a positive work atmosphere.

Empathy

While empathy is developed in good part via genetics and upbringing, it can be developed. [Positive Psychology](https://positivepsychology.com/empathy-worksheets/) suggests:

- **Be present** with people when you talk to them. Really notice their feelings.

- **Learn something new** or travel. Experience what its like to be unable to do something.

- **Talk to people** about important things in their lives. Mix with people from other backgrounds.

How Can You Develop Empathy In The Workplace?

A Queens University study found that when considering **promotions** , 86% of managers looked for employees with a **positive attitude**.

We saw earlier how being positive when faced with change is great for adaptability, but being positive generally is, well, positive\!

As Jon Gordon, author of [ _The Power of a Positive Team_](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/GREATIDEASThePowerofaPositiveTeambyJonGordon) , says, a teams collective energy and optimism is made up of each persons belief and optimism.

Positivity

One negative person can totally sabotage the team, the organisation, and the customer experience.

To be positive, Jon Gordon suggests:

- **Feed your positive dog. There are two dogs inside each of us.** One dog is the positive, optimistic, and energetic dog. One is mean spirited, angry, and pessimistic. Who wins in a fight? The one you _feed_ the most.

- **Talk to yourself, dont listen to yourself.** Triathlete Dr James Gills says this: If I listen to myself, I hear all the negative, but if I talk to myself, I feed myself with encouragement.

How to develop positivity in the workplace

As we know, adaptability \(AQ\) became a highly valued skill in the pandemic. Team members who viewed change positively were able to handle the crisis better than those who resisted that change.

International executive coach John Spence told our [adaptability masterclass](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/improveadaptability) that cultivating emotional intelligence \(EQ\) and self-awareness helps us better understand and manage our reactions to change.

Adaptability

- **Practice scenario planning.** Practice problem-solving and critical thinking to find creative solutions to challenges.

- **Be a glass half-full person.**

- **Develop a growth mindset** and continuously learn new skills and knowledge.

How do we develop more of the adaptability soft skill?

Leadership skills could be said to be a soft skill in their own right. Most people can name the [multiplier or diminisher](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/Multipliersmasterclasstalentmagnet) traits of leaders theyve worked under.

For example, a key trait of a multiplier leader is intellectual curiosity. Instead of blame, the curious leader looks for answers as to why a mistake was made. The leader questions their own assumptions. The leader sends out [belonging](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/inclusionandbelongingatwork) signals, and notices when team members are [quiet quitting](https://www.thegrowthfaculty.com/blog/quietquitting).

Leadership

- **Become a better leader with a Growth Faculty Pass.** Modern leadership requires development in areas such as empathy, self-awareness, inclusivity, psychological safety, trust, team-building, communication, unlearning, and adaptability.

- These skills and more are among **core topics i** ncluded in our [Growth Faculty Pass](https://join.thegrowthfaculty.com/growthfacultypass/).

- **Unlimited access** to 40 live virtual masterclasses and Global Headliner virtual events  PLUS year-round leadership content at On Demand with videos, podcasts and book summaries.

- **Join a community** of knowledge seekers who are inspired by the best. [See whos up next.](https://join.thegrowthfaculty.com/#live-virtual-events)

References:

1\. Davos 2023: A Conversation with Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, World Economic Forum

2\. Henri de Grossouvre, Sylvia Hakopian, Soft skills: hard science and prospects for the youth, European Scientist

3\. _New Vision for Education: Unlocking the Potential of Technology_ , 2015, World Economic Forum

4\. _Communicating in the modern workplace_ , infographic, Queens University of Charlotte website

Photo by [Jason Goodman](https://unsplash.com/@jasongoodman_youxventures?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/CDq4ChZouXw?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText)

Soft Skills In The Workplace: What Are They & How To Develop Them

Our speakers on 8 of the most important soft skills for 2023

Keep informed
Stay Inspired

Soft Skills In The Workplace: What Are They & How To Develop Them

Our speakers on 8 of the most important soft skills for 2023

Keep informedStay Inspired

Keep informed
Stay Inspired