The changes triggered by the pandemic were crucial and led us into the fourth industrial revolution or revolution 4.0, with a speed for which we were not prepared. This transition, characterized by various transformations and technological innovations, has put the spotlight on the importance of developing soft skills.
We are currently moving in a VICAH world, a term used some years ago to define the new scenario faced by businesses: volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous and hyperconnected. Faced with the wave of change, the reaction of many professionals may be to focus on updating their skills in the use of new technologies; however, experts indicate that the focus should be on the skills needed to manage the evolution that has accelerated with the pandemic.
Jay Rao, Ph.D. of the Anderson Graduate School of Management (UCLA), stresses that innovation is the main tool for leading in today's world, for which "it is necessary to acquire the competencies to manage uncertainty," he says.
Soft skills are becoming a key element to adapt to the transformations. Deloitte Talent Trends assures that "soft skills or human skills are becoming more and more relevant in the context of the future of work. To solve problems, make decisions, lead teams, among others, will be a constant, regardless of the Grade automation and adoption of new information technologies that are developed".
And these much-talked-about soft skills go beyond technical or measurable skills; they are competencies that describe the way of working and relating to work teams. These are differentiating skills and, although they are not technical, they have a strong impact on organizations and help build an attractive profile.
A report by McKinsey & Company reveals that recruiters are currently struggling to find professionals with the human skills needed to cope with the automated world. Among them they mention: problem solving, critical thinking, innovation, creativity, resilience and communication.
Regardless of your area of professional development, there are three steps you need to take to work on your soft skills, here they are:
At INCAE Business School we believe that in order to train leaders to meet today's challenges, quality training is needed. That is why our programs our programs have the perfect balance between the technical and human skills most demanded by the labor market. The development of these competencies takes place in the classroom, facing real problems of real companies in a controlled environment, through the case method that we inherited from Harvard Business School. This learning method allows us to strengthen skills such as leadership, teamwork and resilience in spaces that are characterized by the diversity of cultures and disciplines.
