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The leadership development industry—now valued at a staggering $67 billion and slated to grow to nearly $180 billion by 2032—must correct a glaring, unmistakable, and long-standing branding issue.
There is no such thing as a "soft skill."
Long mislabeled as "soft," these skills are, in reality, the bedrock of effective leadership. It's high time we abandon the outdated and derogatory term "soft skills" and embrace their true essence: professional skills.
Dispelling the Myth: Soft Skills Are Not Soft
As a long-recovering Chief Learning Officer (CLO), I continue to feel that interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence remain mislabeled as "soft skills." However, this designation fails to reflect the true significance of these skills accurately and upholds the fallacious idea that they are less important than hard skills. Professional skills are more important than ever in today's business world, which is becoming more complex and interconnected. But they are most definitely not "soft."
We might blame the U.S. Army for the definition. In the late 1960s, the U.S. Army realized that these so-called "soft skills" played a pivotal role in determining the outcomes of military exercises. Far from being related to the utilization of machinery or weaponry, these skills centered on the human element—the social aptitude required to command groups, inspire troops, and ultimately emerge victorious in battle.
Upon this discovery, the military wasted no time delving deeper into the intricacies of these so-called soft skills. Recognizing their significance, they cataloged and studied them, cementing their place as an essential component of military strategy and personal leadership. Eventually, like command-and-control leadership tactics, the concept of "soft skills" found its way into the corporate world.
Aside from the U.S. Army, identifying these critical abilities as "professional skills" or "leadership skills" is critical to dispelling myths about their worth.
The Power of Professional Skills
As any leader with a pulse should know, effective leadership requires a diverse and harmonious blend of skills. Leaders must navigate complex relationships, inspire their teams, and devise innovative strategies while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Over my career and in my line of work, I don't find anything "soft" about these responsibilities; they are the very foundation upon which thriving organizations are built.
While technical skills are vital, "soft skills" are the glue that holds people, teams, and business units together. These skills encompass a wide range of abilities, including communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and teamwork. They are the foundation upon which leaders and their teams develop trust, cooperation, and high performance.
But we cannot continue to refer to them as "soft." It brings on a wrong impression.
Moreover, these skills have a tangible impact on an organization's bottom line. According to a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) study, companies that invest in professional skill development enjoy increased employee engagement, improved productivity, and higher retention rates.
Becoming the Champion
As the global business world continues to change at a breakneck pace, with inflation and a possible recession always being a concern, successful leaders will be remembered as those who invest in their teams to avoid a disaster now and skillfully plan and carry out a better future. Of course, that requires the development of professional skills.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has also highlighted the growing importance of professional skills in the workforce. In their "Future of Jobs Report," the WEF identified critical thinking, complex problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and creativity as essential skills for success in the future workplace. None of that is "soft." The report emphasizes the need for organizations to invest in professional skill development to remain competitive in the ever-evolving business landscape.
Furthermore, as I pointed out in my third book, Open to Think: Slow Down, Think Creatively, and Make Better Decisions, "Organizations must focus on building a culture of continuous learning, where professional skills are constantly honed, and the wisdom of others is sought."
The Value of Professional Skills
Many top executives recognize the importance of professional skills for organizational success. The really good ones don't use language like "soft skills" either.
For instance, Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, emphasizes the role of professional skills in driving innovation and growth. She once said, "Fostering a culture that encourages collaboration and creative problem-solving is essential to our success. Our commitment to developing professional skills within our organization has enabled us to adapt to change, meet the needs of our customers, and stay ahead of the competition."
In a similar way, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, talks about how important it is to have professional skills to give customers a great experience. In his 2017 book Hit Refresh, he wrote:
"At Microsoft, we believe that investing in the development of our employees' professional skills is the key to delivering outstanding products and services to our customers. By nurturing a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, we empower our teams to think creatively, adapt to change, and drive transformative solutions that redefine the way people live and work."
I believe it is imperative that we (finally) retire the term "soft skills" and replace it with "professional skills" (or at least "leadership skills") to accurately reflect the true importance and impact of these abilities in today's organizations.
The outdated idea of "soft skills" underplays their importance and underestimates how important they are to driving organizational success, fostering innovation, and navigating the complex challenges of the modern workplace. I'm tired of seeing senior leaders downplay these essential skills. I'm plain fed up with the term as well.
By adopting "professional skills," we give these essential human elements the recognition and value they rightfully deserve.
Down with the term “soft skills” once and for all.
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Pre-order my next book publishing in October, Work-Life Bloom: How to Nurture a Team That Flourishes, (You won’t want to miss digging in.)
