Soft Skills - Essential for Workplace Success

type="text/javascript"> ch_client = "articlealley";skills, soft skills are imperative to all businesses,
ch_type = "mpu"; ch_width = 590; ch_height =and can actually mean the difference between
250; ch_non_contextual = 4; ch_noborders = 1;success and failure.
ch_vertical ="premium"; ch_sid = "590x250 ArticleRecently, a coworker of mine was promoted to
Mixed Top"; ch_alternate_ad_url = " varmanagement level. Some people wondered why
ch_queries = new Array( ); varshe had risen to this level of management. Her
ength)); if ( ch_selected < ch_queries.length ) {educational level was lower than others in my
ch_query = ch_queries[ch_selected]; } Knowingdepartment and her degree wasn't in an area that
how to get the job done isn't enough anymore.pertained to this specific position. However, one of
How an employee interacts with his or herthe strengths that were nowhere on her resume
coworkers is just as important to employers.was her ability to be positive in all situations and
Ninety-six percent of executives ratedto naturally motivate people. She was quick to
communication and interpersonal skills as the mostsmile and see the positive side of every project.
valuable employee trait, according to a poll of 330She was generous in praising people and was
employers conducted by the University ofconsistently happy. These were her strengths and
Phoenix.her natural attributes. They made up the sum of
While people need to be qualified and have thewho she is. These soft skills are just as important
technical skills to do their jobs well, there is aas her knowledge.
range of less measurable skills that are moreThe current job market has been frustrating, to
important to workplace success. Known as softsay the least, for many people. The development
skills, these include attitudes, behavior andof soft skills in this market is important when
interpersonal skills. While labeling them "soft" maythere is intense competition for available positions.
make them sound less important than technical