The Soft Skills Imperative

01|2017From attitude to , we explore the power of soft skills in an automated world. The Soft Skill Imperative | White Paper 2 The Adecco Group 3 Soft SK Skills As tasks are automated and job roles and responsibilities Unlocking entrepreneurial evolve, human qualities are the new essential for the work- potential—and perhaps even GDP force and the workplace growth

The world is navigating a transition from the What’s driving this rush of enthusiasm? There’s yet knowledge economy to the self-knowledge econ- to be a study conducted that demonstrates in hard Consider the experiences of two groups who, development programs for longer, feel more omy. In every area of operations, automation numbers that soft skills play a direct, causal role in at first glance, could not appear to be less successful, and keep pursuing the small busi- and robotics are remaking the way we manage driving success for either candidates or corpora- similar: participants in a women’s entrepre- ness path.” traditional day-to-day tasks. Virtual tions. But individual organizations have become neurship training program in Guatemala and platforms are altering how and where we work. attuned to the impact of soft skills deficiencies Major League Baseball’s 2016 World Series Digital access to data is driving unprecedented within their ranks, and pioneering studies suggest champions, the Chicago Cubs. The success of “Women who get soft skills training wind up capacity—and demand—for real-time decision-mak- that training in these areas can contribute to con- each has been attributed in part to soft skills staying in the entrepreneurship or business awareness and development. ing. Yet as we reinvent the way we do business, ditions that strengthen sustained organizational development programs for longer, feel more the real game-changer may prove to be neither performance and financial results. algorithms nor artificial intelligence, but rather hu- Funded by Oxfam America, the Women in successful, and keep pursuing the small busi- man intelligence. Small Enterprise program is the focus of ness path.” Not Strictly Business: Improving Women’s People, it seems, still have one commanding Entrepreneurship Through Soft-Skills Train- competitive advantage over technology: the ability ing and Engagement of Men. The report was to understand other people. To express empathy, co-published by Oxfam America and Value Those results are significant not only for the communicate persuasively, and seek common for Women in October 2016. Author Daina individual women, but also potentially for ground in a manner that allows groups to agree on Ruback was interested in determining which the global economy. An October 2014 BCG an action plan and, more important, to feel col- barriers were preventing women from start- Perspectives article reported: “if women and lectively invested in its success. Throughout the ing businesses and participating fully as men participated equally as entrepreneurs, world, market demand is placing a premium on job entrepreneurs. She also sought to resolve the global GDP could rise by as much as 2 per- applicants who demonstrate these and other “soft question of why women drop out of programs cent or $1.5 trillion, according to research by skills,” and companies are investing in develop- that offer training and support for women in The Boston Consulting Group.” We can’t con- ment programs that strengthen these attributes in entrepreneurship. clude that soft skills training has the power their employees. to be directly responsible for sparking that Her study found that soft skills development increase, but there is evidence to suggest that in areas such as negotiation and communi- it would help position women to launch and cation, along with training, put sustain businesses capable of generating that women on a more level playing field with trillion-plus dollar increase. their male counterparts and strengthened their prospects for long-term success. “Soft skills development empowers them to be able to do better in business and helps them to advocate and make decisions if they’re in a position where maybe they don’t control the money in the household,” Ruback says. “Especially in Latin America, we’ve seen that the women who get soft skills training wind up staying in the entrepreneurship or business

The Soft Skill Imperative | White Paper 4 The Adecco Group 5 As for the Chicago Cubs: observers have development. But regardless of the extent to noted that emphasizing soft skills played a key which they can unlock increased profit and role in recruiting and developing a team that growth potential, soft skills are becoming a would win its first World Series championship business imperative because legacy skills since 1908. This October 2016 Quartz article are losing relevance as the nature of work is reveals how managers sought players with disrupted. such qualities as character and ability to cope constructively with failure. They instructed their talent scouts to seek details of instances in which prospects had weathered adversity on and off the baseball diamond—a skill that would take on tremendous significance during post-season play. By placing value on these personality traits and not just on batting and fielding skills, the organization assembled a team that won 103 of 161 games during the regular season. The players went on to win the championship by persevering despite having fallen behind in the series by three games to one.

With examples like these—even to the extent that they’re anecdotal rather than empirical— it’s no wonder that companies are exploring what they can achieve by making these traits “Soft skills played a key a priority in and professional role in recruiting and developing a team that would win its first World Series championship since 1908.”

The Soft Skill Imperative | White Paper 6 The Adecco Group 7 The new workplace demands “59 percent of hiring managers said an update to old work skills soft skills are ‘difficult’ to find in job applicants.” In January 2016, the World Economic Forum published a Global Challenge Insight Report titled The Future of Jobs Employment, Skills and Workforce Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “The accelerating pace of Within this changing dynamic, there is a grow- a subset of facility at problem-solving, which technological, demographic and socio-economic disrup- ing demand for soft skills not only for their can fall within the category of hard skills. And tion is transforming industries and business models, intrinsic value, but also because they give beyond soft skills basics like strength in com- changing the skills that employers need and shortening employees a basis for learning and gaining munication and interpersonal relationships the shelf-life of employees’ existing skill sets in the pro- command of new responsibilities. are more nuanced capabilities that are gain- cess,” the authors wrote. “For example, technological dis- ing importance in an increasingly global and ruptions such as robotics and machine learning—rather When LinkedIn surveyed 291 hiring managers inclusive workplace. When the Pew Research than completely replacing existing occupations and job in the United States, it found that 59 percent Center conducted a review of The State of categories—are likely to substitute specific tasks previ- said soft skills are “difficult” to find in job- ap American Jobs, it found that 85 percent of ously carried out as part of these jobs, freeing workers plicants. The problem is serious enough that respondents ranked “ability to work with up to focus on new tasks and leading to rapidly changing 58 percent of respondents said soft skills defi- those from diverse backgrounds” as a key soft core skill sets in these occupations.” ciencies in the pool of candidates are “limiting skill. But while there may not be unanimous their company’s productivity.” In August 2016, agreement about the way we define soft skills Guy Berger, Ph.D., an economist at the com- or their parameters, there is consensus that “Soft skills are becoming a business imperative pany, published findings of an analysis of soft employees must demonstrate some combi- because legacy skills are losing relevance as skills listed on the LinkedIn profiles of peo- nation of these skills to be assets in today’s the nature of work is disrupted.” ple who had listed a new employer between workplace and to be equipped for continued June 2014 and June 2015. His review identi- productivity throughout their careers. fied , organization, teamwork, Professionals will need more than freedom to take on consistent punctuality, , social their new responsibilities, and studies suggest that nei- skills, creativity, interpersonal communication, ther employees nor employers have prepared adequate- adaptability, and a friendly personality as the ly for the shift that is already underway. Findings of the ten soft skills most in demand among employ- Workforce 2020 study conducted by Oxford Economics ers. and SAP underscore the depth of the divide. The report, based on a survey of more than 2,700 executives and This is not a comprehensive or universal list of 2,700 employees in 27 countries, found that according to what constitutes soft skills. Critical thinking, more than 50 percent of executive respondents, “prob- for example, is regarded by some experts as lems with talent and key skills are affecting business performance.” At the same time, half of employees said they do not expect their current skills to be adequate just three years from now. Anxieties in that regard are heightened by the fact that according to both executives and employees, only half work at companies that have “a culture of continuous learning.”

The Soft Skill Imperative | White Paper 8 The Adecco Group 9 Peru United Kingdom In October 2016, members of the Asia-Pacific Economic A survey conducted by British Gas found that employers Cooperation (APEC) Forum met in Lima for the Inter- actively seek entry-level candidates with communication, national Symposium on Strategies for Strengthening time management, leadership, and other soft skills. More Breaking barriers, Employability (Soft) Skills: Facilitating Quality Growth than half revealed that they look into candidates’ volun- Through Upskilling. Speaking at the symposium, Alfonso teer experience as one indicator of those skills, The- Grados, Peru’s Minister of Labor and Employment, BusinessDesk.com reported in August 2016. The article crossing borders equated lack of soft skills with limited access to the noted that 90 percent of responding employers advised employment market. He added that Peru plans to create new graduates to focus on soft skills in equal measure a network for exchange of knowledge and best practice with grades and experience. They place such a premium Around the world, soft skills training pro- in the development of soft skills as a means of strength- on these attributes that 23 percent said they examine ening employability. The objective is to create a “global prospective candidates’ social media presence to gain grams aim to create a more employable benchmark” that benefits all APEC members. clues into their personality type and style of interacting workforce with others before they’ll extend an interview invitation. South Africa In Johannesburg, Chief Financial Officers are developing This cross-section of thinking about, and approaches to, the skills they need to transition from operational and soft skills training demonstrates that the perception of The move to promote soft skills is not a privilege that India risk management responsibilities to more complex roles its value extends across cultures, economies, and ap- only the most developed economies and job markets In September 2016, The Asian Age reported that the as strategists, catalysts, and leaders. In an October 2016 proaches to business development. There is now wide- can afford to indulge. Companies, governments, NGOs, Central Industrial Security Force, which manages se- interview with Business Report, Ajit Kambil, global re- spread recognition of a correlation between strength- and individuals in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas curity in the Delhi Metro network, would provide soft search director of Deloitte’s CFO program, spoke of the ened communication, interpersonal, and social skills and are convinced that soft skills contribute to strengthening skills training to 250 staff members. The article quoted a company’s CFO Transition Labs. The one-day workshops enhanced customer relationships, improved collabora- productivity, customer relationships, and overall per- senior CISF official as saying that the training would help are designed to help new CFOs to learn to “define and tion and productivity, and increased employee engage- formance. Belief in their power to transform individual personnel to develop the interpersonal skills necessary communicate their priorities, assess and develop a talent ment and teamwork. As companies continue to grapple and team potential has been a catalyst for the launch of to deal with passengers—particularly tourists—in a “more strategy, understand and influence key stakeholders, with the challenge of competing in a global marketplace, training initiatives across many industries and around the friendly” and “more dignified” manner. The initiative and develop an action plan for their first 180 days. These they are turning to soft skills development as one means world. Recent news includes these reports from: is part of an ongoing program that began with training areas of focus drive home the realization that facility of remaining agile and responsive to customer expecta- conducted by private companies. Results of those initial with numbers is not enough for CFOs in today’s market: tions and optimizing their potential for sustained perfor- Canada efforts led the CISF to bring its own soft skills trainers in they must also have the soft skills necessary to be able mance and growth. CIC News, the Canada Immigration Newsletter, pro- house. And in October 2016, The Hindu reported on the to create a narrative of the company’s story. vided readers with information about an October 2016 Puducherry government’s announcement that its Depart- webinar, Career Success and Communication Skills in ment of Information and Technology would provide soft United Arab Emirates: Canada. The information, which was addressed to the skills training to 5,000 candidates. Conducted in col- In October 2016, Dr. Dala Farouki Kakos, chief educa- “skilled immigrant” population, counseled that “develop- laboration with the Information Communication Technol- tion and strategy officer of Valour Ventures in Dubai, ing your workplace communication skills may be one of ogy Academy, the training would provide candidates with hailed soft skills as “the way forward to allow for lifelong the most important factors in achieving your career goals assessment and certification intended to help trainees learning and lifelong job security.” In a column published in Canada.” It went on to explain that this skill involved qualify for employment at multinational corporations. in The National, he called for a paradigm shift in educa- not just speaking English well, but “effective workplace tion toward greater emphasis on soft skills “to bridge the communication” overall. This was defined as including Malta existing gap between outdated graduate skills and what tone of voice, body language, cultural sensitivity, sense of According to data compiled by the Employment and the modern workforce needs.” humor, and other communication-related soft skills that Training Corporation (a division of the Ministry for Edu- contribute to making a positive impression. cation and Employment), the percentage of foreigners in the country’s labor force has more than doubled since Ghana 2008. In December of that year, the figure stood at 9,821, The Ghana News Agency reported in October 2016 or 6.1 percent of the workforce. By July 2015, that num- that BEIGE Talent, a social responsibility project of the ber had grown to 27,145, or 14.7 percent. In a Times of BEIGE Foundation, had enrolled a new class of recent Malta column published in August 2016, Lawrence Zam- university graduates in its skills and development pro- mit, Founding Partner and Director of consulting firm gram. The core of the project’s mission is to aid new MISCO, attributed the trend to a shortage of local labor entrants into the job market in acquiring the soft skills “both in quantitative and qualitative terms.” He called necessary “to bridge the gap between the classroom and on young people to develop the communication, inter- the real world of work,” the article said. The initiative personal, organizational, and other soft skills required to launched in 2015 and has since provided training to three compete successfully for jobs in this market. groups of 100 graduates apiece.

The Soft Skill Imperative | White Paper 10 The Adecco Group 11 Moving ahead requires moving beyond the comfort zone

Among the challenges in soft skills training “Some programs developed by psychologists and development: cultivating these capabili- work on what they call theory of mind skills— ties in professionals who traditionally did not the ability to put yourself in someone else’s need them and who may even have been shoes mentally, think how they think, and drawn to careers that did not require them. anticipate their needs and reactions,” says As accounting, finance, and technology be- David J. Deming, Professor of Education and come more automated, for example, there’s Economics at Harvard University’s Graduate less room in the workplace for people who School of Education. aren’t adept at verbal communication and hoped to find refuge in calculations or code. Those skills come into play when someone Likewise, employees who say they work best is planning a presentation or negotiation, for independently will need to learn to contribute example. What are audience members likely within teams in the new culture of collabora- to ask during the question and answer session tion. following the presentation? Which negotiat- ing points are likely to face opposition, and “The old adage was that you hire for attitude how can anticipating those objections aid in and train for skills,” says Stephan Howeg, developing ways to reach common ground? Adecco’s Chief Marketing and Communica- Deming explains: “You have to think, ‘Well, if I tions Officer. “Now that most people will need were asking the questions, I would ask these, to continuously update their skills throughout but other people don’t think like me. How do their careers, attitude and mindset are more they think?’ There are programs that try to get important than ever. Soft skills have value in people to build those skills.” themselves and are a good barometer of job candidates’ facility for adapting to change and contributing to the organizational agility that is essential to success in today’s market.”

But soft skills are also known as non-cognitive skills, so in many cases, their development means learning to adapt behaviors or prac- tices as opposed to mastering systems or executing tasks. When faced with the need to learn to be more communicative or to adjust the way they interact with others, many people feel as though they’re being asked to change their nature. How can they improve, rather than tear down and rebuild, who they are? How can the managers, executives, and leaders in their organizations create the best environment for teaching, recognizing, and rewarding behavioral learning?

The Soft Skill Imperative | White Paper 12 The Adecco Group 13 Examining perceptions, using persuasion, seeking partnership

A refined sense (or at least awareness) of common scenario in the business world.” In a empathy, then, is a cornerstone of soft skills business context, there’s a desire for partner- development. “The principles of persuasion, ship, whether with clients, colleagues, and ide- getting people around to your way of think- ally, even rivals within the organization. Best ing, depend largely on your ability to connect practice is to share the workload and assign with them on an individual level as opposed individual responsibilities based on each team to a rationally built and maintained argument,” member’s strengths, to communicate well, and says Linda Chander, director of Sydney, to ensure that the collective effort produces Australia-based Enskills Learning & Develop- stronger results than individuals could deliver ment. on their own.

That can require a significant shift in mindset Becoming adept at this component of soft and practice for people who are accustomed skills isn’t intended to lead to executing an im- to getting ahead professionally by demon- mediate shift from opposition to agreement. strating how intelligent they are. The danger Rather, its purpose is to encourage a greater is that they will be seen as trying to appear measure of receptiveness on all sides to listen not just knowledgeable, but smarter than to other points of view and a move away the colleagues or partners they’re trying to from simply retrenching and restating existing engage. Doing so can backfire to the point of positions. Like intelligence, soft skills can be undermining their authority and prompting used to achieve many aims, from critiquing others to withdraw support that they might others’ ideas constructively to communicating otherwise have provided. Conversely, exercis- in a manner that is persuasive and encour- ing soft skills encourages all parties to recog- ages people to come together in pursuit of a nize commonality, feel a sense of rapport, and shared goal. arrive at agreement on decisions and actions.

Fine-tuning and heightening a sense of empa- “Like intelligence, soft skills can be used to thy also requires practice. It’s a habit that can achieve many aims, from critiquing others’ be developed deliberately and consciously in ideas constructively to communicating in a tandem with a greater degree of self-aware- ness. Someone who advocates passionately manner that is persuasive and encourages for a certain course of action, for example, people to come together in pursuit of a shared can shift from assembling counter-arguments for those who have another viewpoint to goal.” thinking about the ways in which their con- cerns are valid. Choosing to look at the issue When everyone in a business setting has from their perspective can help to under- worked toward optimizing soft skills, they cre- stand differences of opinion and outlook, and ate an environment that encourages inter- that understanding creates a basis for finding dependence and fosters a sense of trust in common ground and moving toward consen- project partners. Deming therefore sees soft sus. skills development as a kind of capacity build- Deming points out that whereas chess is ing that has diverse applications and is able a zero-sum game from which a winner and to deliver far-reaching individual and team loser will emerge, “that’s not really the most benefits.--

The Soft Skill Imperative | White Paper 14 The Adecco Group 15 Soft skills training is a platform for leadership development

At an institutional level, soft skills development come from the top down and must clearly es- programs therefore create an opportunity to tablish the organization’s standards and expec- identify and cultivate formal and informal tations. “In the sessions I run, I say that as a leaders throughout the organization. Those leader, your minimum standards become their with a natural inclination to be communica- maximum standards,” she says. tive, encourage team-building, foster creativity Another area of organizational initiative is in in problem-solving, and facilitate adaptability skills definition and identification. Deming en- in pursuit of superior solutions will emerge as courages companies to put an explicit focus role models. They’ll be in a position to lead by on the soft skills they need, screen employees example and bring out the best in colleagues for those abilities, and implement a develop- who struggle more in developing those skills. ment strategy for those members of the staff who fall short of expectations. He believes soft “As workplace demands evolve, leaders will skills or social skills assessments conducted by be recognized for their ability to cultivate psychologists can be useful in this regard. soft skills throughout the enterprise,” says Alain Dehaze, Chief Executive Officer of the An area that companies have neglected, he Adecco Group. “In this context, leadership will adds, is “intentional evaluation and analysis of reflect merit and success in reaching perfor- group work” to identify members of the staff mance targets rather than titles or positions who “make their team better, even if their con- on the organizational chart. This is in keeping tributions don’t always show up. Those people with another trend in business, the flattening are probably undervalued because we don’t of traditional hierarchies and creation of op- have a good way of measuring their contribu- portunities for more people to take charge and tions.” help drive the company forward. And we will see this in blue-collar industry as much as in “The key, as in any corporate culture initiative, white-collar corporations.” is to show—not just tell—employees the kinds of Another complementary trend is the move contributions and behaviors most valued by the among successful companies to give their company and to make the recognition meaning- employees more creative freedom and in- creased opportunities to explore innovative ful to those who have earned it. “ ideas. Chander sees this as providing indirect support of soft skills development because it Organizations that find a way to identify, rec- “loosens the commercial constraints that we ognize, and reward these often unsung he- put on other people and encourages greater roes can create a significant competitive ad- cooperation within the company itself.” vantage by motivating more members of the To that end, she urges employers not to put team to emulate these colleagues’ conduct. the onus of soft skills development entirely on “The key, as in any corporate culture initiative, employees, but to recognize the role that cor- is to show—not just tell—employees the kinds porate culture plays in empowering them to of contributions and behaviors most valued realize their full potential in these areas. The by the company and to make the recognition embrace and promotion of that culture must meaningful to those who have earned it. “

The Soft Skill Imperative | White Paper 16 The Adecco Group 17 A mechanism for making all work Creating community without less mechanical sacrificing conviction

These principles apply equally to enterprises Conversely, their colleagues who are at mid- Soft skills are a powerful tool for strengthen- of all sizes and workplaces across all indus- career may find it necessary to unlearn habits ing relationships and managing change. At the “Soft skills are a force that, once harnessed, can tries, says Adecco Public Affairs Specialist formed by now-outmoded workplace dy- same time, employees and organizations need drive optimal individual and enterprise-wide Menno Bart. Employees who are equipped namics. They may find it more challenging to to recognize the need to both exercise and performance now and into the future.” with soft skills are better positioned to take a acquire and apply soft skills in an environment control these skills—to use them wisely and in more active part in their companies’ growth in which virtual collaboration has become moderation. Chander stresses the importance and their own career achievements. “They commonplace and communication often oc- of distinguishing between taking others’ opin- Those qualities, in turn, support organizations’ discover within themselves a capacity for do- curs in a vacuum devoid of in-person commu- ions and perspectives into account and being and individuals desire to instill a sense of ing something more than simply clocking their nication cues such as tone of voice and facial accommodating to the point of failing to stand ownership in projects, an investment in their hours and doing their job each day,” he says. expression. firm on core convictions and commitments. success, and a feeling of collective achieve- “Rather than just performing their assigned ment as each new milestone is reached. By tasks, they begin to see their work in the Being equipped with exemplary soft skills that standard, soft skills are a force that, once larger context of the activities of the organiza- “[Millennials] regard jobs not just as a way to should not prevent any professional from be- harnessed, can drive optimal individual and tion as a whole, and they become more open earn a living, but also as a means of creating ing passionate and taking firm positions. Rath- enterprise-wide performance now and into to seeking opportunities to expand their role meaning in their lives.” er, being adept at communication, persuasion, the future. With power of that magnitude, in support of those activities.” and personal interaction strengthens the these capabilities will remain in demand and ability to advocate effectively for that position will continue to set the most successful com- Millennials enter the workforce expecting that On the other hand, Millennials face the addi- and make that passion infectious. And when panies apart from their competitors. experience from the start of their careers. tional challenge of having to monitor industry everyone on a team approaches strategy de- They regard jobs not just as a way to earn a and job market changes and anticipate the velopment, problem-solving, decision-making, living, but also as means of creating mean- soft skills development they should pursue and execution of action plans from that posi- ing in their lives. As soft skills help to foster now so that they’re able to adapt to role shifts tion, the result is a conclusion reached in an stronger and more productive human relation- for decades to come. environment of mutual respect, interdepend- ships, they complement and support this gen- ence, and confidence. eration’s approach to working. An additional Thus, regardless of career stage, all employ- advantage is that they have the opportunity ees can derive value from cultivating soft to cultivate soft skills as they develop work skills—and all face risks should they fail to do habits that are best suited to the current and so. Those risks are real and not to be under- emerging professional environment. estimated. “Soft skills are essential,” Chander says. “They can make a massive difference to business output and to the individual experi- ence in the workplace.”

“As soft skills help to foster stronger and more produc- tive human relationships, they complement and sup- port this generation’s ap- proach to working. “ The Soft Skill Imperative | White Paper 18 The Adecco Group 19 Resources and Further Reading For additional information about soft skills development theory and practice, con- sult these reports, studies, articles, and online resources.

Hard Thinking on Soft Skills What’s more important: Technical ability or soft skills? The Brookings Institution CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) https://www.brookings.edu/research/hard-thinking-on-soft- Magazine http://www.cgma.org/magazine/news/pages/ skills/ technical-ability-or-soft-skills-201615252.aspx?TestCookiesE nabled=redirect Seven Facts on Noncognitive Skills from Education to the Labor Market How to Bridge the Soft Skills Gap The Hamilton Project Chief Learning Officer http://www.hamiltonproject.org/papers/seven_facts_on_non- http://www.clomedia.com/2016/04/13/how-to-bridge-the- cognitive_skills_from_education_to_the_labor_market soft-skills-gap/

The Soft Skills of Great Digital Organizations Technology skills demand accelerates outside the IT Harvard Business Review department https://hbr.org/2016/02/the-soft-skills-of-great-digital- Computer Weekly organizations http://www.computerweekly.com/news/450400745/ Technology-skills-demand-accelerates-outside-the-IT- Hard Measurement of Soft Skills department The World Bank Development Impact Blog http://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/hard-meas- Soft Skills: An IT Career Must-Have urement-soft-skills Datamation.com http://www.datamation.com/careers/soft-skills-an-it-career- Indiana Wesleyan University and CPA Center of Excel- must-have.html lence launch international partnership to boost soft skills Accounting Today 5 Soft Skills You Need to Master for Workplace Success http://www.accountingtoday.com/blogs/accounting- Inc.com tomorrow/news/iwu-and-cpa-center-launch-international- http://www.inc.com/the-muse/5-emotional-intelligence- partnership-79354-1.html leadership-skills-you-need-for-success.html

Wanted: Accountants with Mix of Hard and Soft Skills Why soft skills are important for every employee AccountingWeb.com Learning & Development Professional http://www.accountingweb.com/practice/team/wanted- http://www.ldphub.com/general-news/why-soft-skills-are- accountants-with-mix-of-soft-and-hard-skills important-for-every-employee-223885.aspx

How to Strengthen Your Staff’s Soft Skills How humans will learn to coexist with bots Associations Now VentureBeat.com http://associationsnow.com/2016/09/strengthen-staffs-soft- http://venturebeat.com/2016/10/04/how-humans-will-learn- skills/ to-coexist-with-bots/

19 soft skills every leader needs to be successful Why There’s Nothing “Soft” About Soft Skills The Australian Financial Review U.S. News & World Report http://www.afr.com/leadership/management/19-soft-skills- http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices- every-leader-needs-to-be-successful-20160825-gr1j0v careers/articles/2016-10-14/why-theres-nothing-soft-about- soft-skills Study shows MBA students want to many learn soft skills, but not self-awareness Hunting for Soft Skills, Companies Scoop Up English The Australian Financial Review Majors http://www.afr.com/leadership/management/business- The Wall Street Journal education/study-shows-mba-students-want-to-many-learn- http://www.wsj.com/articles/hunting-for-soft-skills-compa- soft-skills-but-not-selfawareness-20161015-gs35mo nies-scoop-up-english-majors-1477404061

The Soft Skill Imperative | White Paper 20 The Adecco Group 21 White Paper 01 2017