Let’s get one thing straight: there is nothing soft about the ability to communicate clearly, manage people effectively, or navigate complex workplace dynamics without causing chaos. And yet, we insist on lumping these critical, business-defining skills under the fluffy, dismissive label of ‘soft skills.’
It’s as if being able to explain what you need, work well with others, and actually get shit done is somehow less important than, say, being able to build a spreadsheet with 17 different macros. Hint: if you want to learn excel, it's not from me.
‘Soft’ Implies Optional. It’s Not.
When something is called ‘soft,’ it suggests that it’s nice to have but not essential. Like optional extra legroom on a flight or the decorative parsley on your plate. But let’s be honest—what tanks most projects, derails teams, and causes the most headaches in organisations? It’s not usually a lack of technical expertise; it’s poor communication, weak leadership, and an inability to work together like functioning humans.
Companies spend fortunes on hiring the ‘best and brightest’ based on technical ability, then wonder why projects grind to a halt, meetings descend into power struggles, and people leave in frustration. I'd suggest that it’s because those ‘soft skills’ are the actual glue that holds everything together.
What We Should Call Them Instead
If we must label them, let’s go with something that reflects their true value:
Core skills – because you can’t lead, collaborate, or problem-solve without them.
Power skills – because they determine who thrives and who flounders.
Essential skills – because, well… RONSEAL.
Whatever we call them, let’s stop acting like they’re an afterthought. These skills determine whether businesses succeed or sink. They dictate whether you have a high-performing team or a group of disjointed individuals passing emails back and forth with increasing levels of passive aggression (as fun at that is).
Developing ‘Soft Skills’ Should Be Non-Negotiable
The best leaders, the best employees, and the best teams prioritise these so-called soft skills. They know that:
Clear communication saves time, money, and sanity.
Emotional intelligence prevents avoidable conflict and drama.
Adaptability and resilience keep businesses moving forward instead of stuck in the mud.
Being able to influence and negotiate is the difference between ideas happening and ideas dying in someone’s inbox.
If you want a team that actually works, not just exists in the same office or Zoom calls, then investing in these skills is as crucial as investing in the latest software or hiring more people. I mean, let's not just add more cogs to a machine that’s already jammed!
Time to Get Serious About ‘Soft’ Skills
So, I might be the only one but can we just get rid of the term ‘soft skills’ once and for all? Let’s stop treating them as an optional extra and start recognising them as the powerhouse capabilities they are...because at the end of the day, the ability to communicate, collaborate, and lead effectively isn’t just ‘nice to have’—it’s the difference between success and failure.
And if you need help making this shift in your business or convincing others, you know where to find me. Let’s build teams that actually work!
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