To get a job one needs a Hard Skill or a Technical skill but to remain in the job, to be a good team- mate, to be good listener, communicator etc. one needs to poses Soft Skills. In today’s environment school, colleges focus on academics / sports / extra-curricular activities / technical skills / hard skills but forget to focus on the soft skills / life skills  which are very important to be successful in life.Ask a kid  about his / her favorite teacher they will not say anyone who is highly literate rather they will choose someone who is more playful, cheerful,  and more accessible to a kid against someone who is strict and teaches only from academic point of view.Likewise, think about the doctors. Besides the technical skills, which doctor you would like to go to? The one who is pleasant, smiling and takes time to answer your queries, or the one who treats you like any other patients and tries to finish as soon as possible to take up the next patient in the long que.In these situations, and all the others like them, it’s the soft skills that matters.Soft skills refer to a cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes and social graces that make someone a good employee and compatible to work with. Soft Skills Vs Hard SkillsSkills that are less tangible, and more associated with one’s traits or personality, that determine how we interact.Mostly about “how you act”.Skills that are learned to perform a specific job function and are more easily identifiable and quantifiable.Mostly about “what you know”Soft Skills will help you STAND OUT in a crowd of mediocrity.Myth of Soft Skills

• Soft skills are inborn qualities
• Implies English speaking skills
• Are communication skills
• Symbolize softness of people
• Is synonymous to politeness and submission
• Only develop in school
• Women are better at soft skills

What happens if you do not possess Soft Skills

• Lack of Satisfaction
• Less or no respect in society
• Poor influence in groups
• Lack of appreciation and recognition
• Criticism in all levels of life

Personal attributes which people ask for

• Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Integrity
• Dedication
• Manners & Etiquettes
• Ethics
• Good Listener

Benefits of Soft Skills to Organisation

• Increased credibility with customers
• Increased customer satisfaction
• More productive employees
• Out – Service the competition
• Increased employees ROI
• Strong Team and Leadership
• Demonstrated dedication to customer service and support
• Measurable results and improvements
• Incentives, rewards, and challenges for employees

 Benefits of soft skills to individuals

• Recognition from industry, employers and peers.
• New employment opportunities.
• Promotions and advanced opportunities
• Increased ability to perform on the job.
• Lifelong Credential
• Professional accomplishment

Desired Soft Skills required for a Job

• Effective Communication
• Active Listening
• Adaptability
• Team Player
• Problem Solving
• Leadership

Soft skills are increasingly becoming the hard skills of today’s workforce. It’s just not enough to be highly trained in technical skills, without developing the softer, interpersonal and relationship building skills that help people to communicate and collaborate effectively.