Soft skills can be just as important in achieving success in your job as hard skills, but what are they and why are they important?

Soft skills are those personal qualities, habits, attitudes and social graces that make someone a good employee and compatible to work with.

How do soft skills fit into a business?
A productive and healthy work environment depends on soft skills. After all, the workplace is an interpersonal space, where relationships must be built and fostered, perspectives must be exchanged, and occasionally conflicts must be resolved.

How soft skills can enhance your career and support organisational growth 
Soft skills are intangible and as such this makes them not so easy to identify and influence.

Understanding where soft skills fit within your organisation, it is important to identify the gaps for both individuals and the organisation as a whole.

Consider a vehicle sales consultant who wants to become a sales manager. The person may require certain experience and hard skills in order to qualify for the job, however, as a manager they will be responsible for managing and leading a team while meeting strategic and organisational objectives.

In order to gain the necessary soft skills for this role, the sales consultant might consider attending a management and leadership course, where they will be able to learn how to engage with employees, manage conflict in the workplace, performance manage individuals, encourage team participation, and more.

These skills have very little to do with business acumen and increasing dealership vehicle sales, but without them this vehicle sales consultant has very little chances of being an effective Head of Department.

Some of the most common soft skills employers are looking for include:

Strong work ethic
Are you motivated and dedicated in getting the job done, no matter what? Will you be conscientious and do your best work?

Positive attitude
Are you optimistic and upbeat? Will you generate good energy and good will?

Good communication skills
Are you both verbally articulate and a good listener? Can you make your case and express your needs in a way that builds bridges with colleagues, customers and vendors?

Time management abilities
Do you know how to prioritise tasks and work on a number of different projects at once? Will you use your time on the job wisely?

Problem-solving skills
Are you resourceful and able to creatively solve problems that will inevitably arise? Will you take ownership of problems or leave them for someone else?

Acting as a team player
Will you work well in groups and teams? Will you co-operate and take a leadership role when appropriate?

Self-confidence
Do you truly believe you can do the job? Will you project a sense of calm and inspire confidence in others? Will you have the courage to ask questions that need to be asked and to freely contribute your ideas?

Ability to accept and learn from criticism
Will you be able to handle criticism? Are you open to being coached, learning and growing as a person and as a professional?

Flexibility & adaptability
Are you able to adapt to new situations and challenges? Will you embrace change and be open to new ideas?

Working well under pressure
Can you handle the stress that accompanies deadlines and crises? Will you be able to do your best work and come through in a pinch?

Are you looking to enhance your soft skills?
MISA offers soft skills training to MISA members who are employed at RMI establishments. Contact MISA's Training Department for detailed information on available soft skills programmes in your region on +27 11 476 3920 or email Mlungisi.Ngubane@ms.org.za.

Article by Thandeka Phiri, MISA's National Training Manager.

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