Do you have these soft skills? Secure your employability today

We live in times of dizzying change: automation, artificial intelligence, hybrid environments, unstable economies and hyper-competitive global markets. In the midst of this reality, technical (or hard) skills are no longer enough to secure a place in the working world. More and more companies are looking for professionals who, in addition to specific knowledge, are able to communicate assertively, solve problems creatively, work as part of a team, adapt to unforeseen contexts and stay motivated in high-pressure scenarios.

In this article you will discover exactly what soft skills are, why they have become the key to employability and which are the 7 most sought after today. In addition, you will find clear strategies to assess and enhance them, ensuring that your professional profile not only survives, but evolves in increasingly uncertain environments.

What are soft skills, and why are they important?

Soft skills are those personal, social and emotional competencies that determine how we interact with others, solve problems, face challenges and adapt to change. Unlike technical skills, they are not learned linearly in a course or manual, but are cultivated through experience, self-observation and conscious practice.

In fact, recent LinkedIn studies reveal that 92% of recruiters believe that soft skills are equally or more significant than technical skills, and that the lack of soft skills is one of the main reasons why a hire is unsuccessful.

To the above, it is convenient to add, the complexity of today’s working world, marked by automation, digitization and artificial intelligence, hard skills are quickly updated or even become obsolete. In contrast, soft skills are transferable and durable: no matter the role, industry or technology, they will always be necessary to lead, collaborate and generate value.

For example, an engineer may master specialized software today, but if he lacks communication and teamwork skills, his contribution will be limited in multidisciplinary projects. Or a manager with great technical expertise, but with little empathy, can demotivate his team and affect overall productivity.

That is why the most innovative organizations in the world prioritize profiles with high levels of emotional intelligence, collaborative leadership and continuous learning mentality (Dweck,, 2017).

Top 7 soft skills to ensure your employability

In the current era where automation, artificial intelligence and global uncertainty are key players in industrial processes, technical skills alone are no longer enough. Today, soft skills are consolidating as the differential factor that ensures employability and professional relevance. Here are the most critical ones:

Assertive communication

Assertive communication is defined as the ability to express thoughts, feelings and needs in a direct, clear and respectful manner, balancing the defense of one’s own rights with consideration for the rights of others (Alberti & Emmons, 2017).

An assertive person not only conveys messages clearly, but also fosters mutual understanding, prevents unnecessary conflict, and contributes to collaborative and healthy work environments. In multicultural organizations and remote teams, this skill is essential to reduce misunderstandings and ensure goal alignment.

Emotional Intelligence

Popularly introduced by Daniel Goleman, emotional intelligence refers to the ability to perceive, understand, regulate and manage one’s own and others’ emotions (Goleman, 1995). Research confirms that people with high emotional intelligence are more resilient to stress, build trusting work relationships and exercise leadership more effectively.

In a context of high pressure and constant change, emotional intelligence enables balanced decision making, constructive conflict resolution and intrinsic motivation within teams.

Adaptability and flexibility

Adaptability is the willingness to proactively adjust to new situations, conditions or contexts, while flexibility involves modifying behaviors or strategies when circumstances change (Pulakos et al., 2000).

Both competencies have become critical in VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) environments, where plans rarely remain static. An adaptable professional not only survives change, but embraces it as an opportunity for learning and growth, becoming an indispensable collaborator.

Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze and evaluate information objectively and systematically to make informed judgments (Facione, 2015). Combined with problem solving, it involves identifying root causes, evaluating alternatives and making evidence-based decisions.

In today’s global economic scenario, where innovation and continuous improvement are vital, this skill allows facing complex challenges and proposing creative and sustainable solutions, bringing high value to any team.

Teamwork and collaboration

Effective collaboration involves working interdependently with others to achieve common goals, sharing information, responsibilities and successes (Salas et al., 2015).

We live in an increasingly virtual and multicultural work environment, where the ability to build trust, resolve differences and add diverse perspectives has become crucial. Teamwork achieves the formation of cohesive and collaborative teams that are more productive, innovative and resilient in the face of adversity.

Collaborative leadership

Collaborative leadership transcends formal authority to focus on positive influence, facilitation of collective processes and co-creation of solutions (Raelin, 2006).

In horizontal and dynamic structures, leadership manifests itself as the ability to mobilize human and emotional resources, empower others, and create environments of shared responsibility. This type of leadership fosters organizational cultures based on trust, co-responsibility and innovation.

Continuous learning mindset

Continuous learning is the conscious willingness to acquire, update and renew knowledge and skills throughout one’s working life (Kolb, 1984).

In the digital age, the lifespan of many technical skills is becoming shorter and shorter. Therefore, openness to lifelong learning has become a key competitive advantage. Growth-minded professionals anticipate market transformations and maintain their employability in the long term.

A continuación te presentamos un video con algunas de las habilidades blandas mas demandas en los escenarios mundiales de hoy día.

Practical tips to strengthen your soft skills today

Developing soft skills does not require large investments or waiting for your company’s next training. It is a daily, conscious and 100% applicable process, regardless of your role, age or sector. Here are 5 practical actions to start today:

1. Honestly self-assess yourself: Make a list of your strengths and areas for improvement in soft skills. Ask colleagues or trusted friends: Which soft skills do they think you have mastered? Which ones could you improve on?

Tip: Use free tools such as emotional intelligence tests or 360° feedback surveys.

2. Seek feedback on a regular basis: Don’t be afraid to ask how can I improve. Constructive feedback is pure gold for adjusting behaviors, polishing your communication and strengthening relationships.

Tip: After an important meeting, ask someone to evaluate how you communicated your ideas or handled a conflict.

3. Read, listen and watch: Today you have podcasts, books, online courses and short videos on soft skills. Choose a topic and dedicate 10-15 minutes a day to it.

Tip: Follow leadership, emotional intelligence or communication references on LinkedIn or YouTube.

4. Practice in real environments: Soft skills are strengthened by doing. Offer support as a facilitator in a meeting, lead a small project or give a volunteer presentation. Every real challenge trains you.

Tip: Start with a trusted environment such as your work team; or go further with an association or volunteer group.

5. Be patient and consistent: Don’t expect immediate results. Soft skills are built with trial and error. Celebrate every little breakthrough: a message better communicated, a conflict resolved, an idea that inspires.

Tip: Keep a journal or notebook to record your achievements and learning each week.

6. Use online learning platforms: Access to courses on leadership, communication, teamwork or emotional intelligence has never been easier, there are platforms such as Inspenet Academy, which offer quality content, updated and at your pace.

Tip: Dedicate at least 30 minutes a week to a course related to soft skills. Make it a habit.

Conclusions

In today’s digital era, soft skills are consolidated as the true differential to stand out, adapt and thrive. Empathy, assertive communication, adaptability, teamwork and leadership are no longer optional: they are essential to ensure employability in times of change.

Developing soft skills not only enhances daily performance, but also favors personal well-being, strengthens work relationships and increases the ability to adapt to uncertain scenarios. The most competitive organizations value integral profiles, capable of solving complex problems, managing diversity and leading with purpose.

Currently, there are multiple digital tools, virtual communities and training resources that facilitate learning, practice and projection of these essential competencies, thus consolidating the human and professional value of each individual.

References

1. Alberti, R. E., & Emmons, M. L. (2017). Your Perfect Right: Assertiveness and Equality in Your Life and Relationships (10th ed.). Impact Publishers.
2. Cascio, W. F., & Montealegre, R. (2016). How technology is changing work and organizations. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 3(1), 349-375. 
3. Dweck, C. S. (2017). Mindset: La actitud del éxito. Editorial Paidos.
4. Facione, P. A. (2015). Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts (2015 Update). Insight Assessment.
5. Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books.
6. Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice Hall.
7. LinkedIn Learning. (2023). 2023 Workplace Learning Report: Skills and Learning in the Era of AI. LinkedIn Corporation. 
8. Pulakos, E. D., Arad, S., Donovan, M. A., & Plamondon, K. E. (2000). Adaptability in the workplace: Development of a taxonomy of adaptive performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(4), 612–624.
9. Raelin, J. A. (2006). Does Action Learning Promote Collaborative Leadership?. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 5(2), 152–168.
10. Salas, E., Shuffler, M. L., Thayer, A. L., Bedwell, W. L., & Lazzara, E. H. (2015). Understanding and improving teamwork in organizations: A scientifically based practical guide. Human Resource Management, 54(4), 599–622.
11. World Economic Forum. (2020). The Future of Jobs Report 2020.