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Employers report a skills gap between what they expect and what potential employees can offer (Bessen, 2014). Bessen stated that “Since information technologies have radically changed much work over the last couple of decades, employers have had persistent difficulty finding workers who can make the most of these new technologies” (para. 5). Others state the real skills gap exists in the lack of soft skills, the “interpersonal and relationship-building skills that help people to communicate and collaborate effectively. These people skills are more critical than ever as organizations struggle to find meaningful ways to remain competitive and … productive” (National Soft Skills Association, n.d., para. 3). This blog post explores hard and soft skills needed for the workplace and explains how digital literacy can augment soft skills.
Hard skills are the qualifications that will enable you to be hired and include job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities that employees need to perform their job duties effectively. They are primarily cognitive abilities (Ferreira et al., 2023) that may be developed while pursuing a college or university degree, during relevant work experience, and/or from completing professional certifications online. Hard skills can include technical skills, knowledge of software, and professional skills. Hard skills can be specific to a workplace, occupation, or industry and may not transfer to other work settings. Remarkably, most of the success on the job comes from having well-developed soft skills, and only a small part consists of technical skills and knowledge.
Soft skills are an essential component of the personal and professional characteristics employers seek when hiring employees. Soft skills are related to behavior, attitude, and values and can be crucial to professional success (Ferreira et al., 2023). They are involved in working well with colleagues, taking responsibility, working as part of a team, communicating with your colleagues, negotiating ideas, and the ability to collaborate with other people. Multiple capacities can be designated as soft skills including personal accountability, teamwork, negotiation skills, conflict resolution, flexibility, adaptability, problem solving, self-confidence, critical and analytical thinking, customer service, work ethic and initiative, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal relations. There are many ways to define soft skills. Still, central characteristics in many definitions are a positive attitude and the ability to interact effectively with others to facilitate productivity. Soft skills are hard to measure but are essential to obtaining, succeeding, and keeping a job (National Soft Skills Association, n.d.).
Employers value soft skills because they contribute to a positive work environment, enhance teamwork and collaboration, improve productivity, and facilitate career advancement. Soft skills are required to apply hard skills in the workplace effectively. Soft skills are often considered just as important as technical skills in many job roles, and employees who possess strong, soft skills are more adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges and changes in the workplace. Soft skills and digital literacy are closely linked in the modern workplace due to the increasing reliance on digital technologies and tools for communication, collaboration, and productivity.
Digital Literacy complements soft skills in the workplace by providing the technical foundation and tools needed to communicate, collaborate, and innovate in digital environments. Soft skills and digital literacy are closely linked in the modern workplace due to the increasing reliance on digital technologies and tools for communication, collaboration, and productivity. Soft skills enhance digital literacy by promoting effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, time management, leadership, emotional intelligence, creativity, conflict resolution, and networking in the context of digital technologies and workflows. Together, digital literacy and soft skills empower individuals to thrive in the dynamic and interconnected landscape of the modern workplace. Today's workplace features many options for remote and hybrid work arrangements, and it is impossible to display soft skills without digital tools (Acosta, 2022).
Table 1 presents definitions of selected soft skills in the lefthand column and the ways digital literacy facilitates the expression of soft skills in the digital environment in the righthand column.
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Soft Skills Defined |
Links with Digital Literacy |
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Communication |
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Ability to articulate ideas clearly, listen actively, and convey information effectively through verbal, written non-verbal communication.
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Digital literacy enhances communication by enabling individuals to use various digital communication platforms such as email, video conferencing, instant messaging, and social media. Soft skills like clarity, conciseness, and active listening are crucial for effective digital communication, ensuring messages are understood and relationships are maintained. |
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Teamwork |
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Capacity to collaborate with others, contribute ideas, and work effectively as part of a team towards common goals. This includes being able to compromise, resolve conflicts, and support team members.
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Digital literacy facilitates virtual teamwork by enabling team members to collaborate regardless of geographical locations through online project management tools, shared documents, and collaborative platforms. Soft skills like adaptability, collaboration, and empathy are essential for effective virtual teamwork, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual support among team members. |
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Problem-Solving |
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Ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems using critical thinking and creative thinking skills. This involves assessing situations, evaluating alternatives, and implementing effective solutions.
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Digital literacy equips individuals with the technical skills needed to troubleshoot issues with software, hardware, or digital systems. Soft skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and persistence are vital for identifying causes of problems, exploring alternative solutions, and implementing effective problem-solving strategies in a digital environment. |
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Adaptability |
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Ability to adapt to changes in the workplace, including changes in responsibilities, procedures, technologies, or environments. Being adaptable involves being flexible, open-minded, and willing to learn new skills.
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Digital literacy enables individuals to adapt to changes in technology, software updates, and new digital tools used in the workplace. Soft skills like flexibility, openness to learning, and resilience are essential for embracing technological advancements and adjusting to evolving digital landscapes in the workplace. |
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Time Management |
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Skill to prioritize tasks, manage workload efficiently, and meet deadlines effectively. This involves setting goals, organizing work schedules, and allocating time appropriately to different tasks and projects.
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Digital literacy empowers individuals to use productivity tools, calendars, task managers, and automation features to optimize time management and prioritize tasks efficiently. Soft skills such as organization, self-discipline, and prioritization are crucial for managing digital workflows, setting realistic goals, and meeting deadlines effectively. |
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Creativity |
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Ability to think innovatively, generate new ideas, and approach problems from different perspectives. Creativity involves being curious, experimenting with new approaches, and being willing to take risks.
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Digital literacy fosters creativity by providing individuals with access to digital content creation tools, multimedia platforms, and online communities for sharing ideas and feedback. Soft skills such as curiosity, experimentation, and risk-taking are essential for exploring new digital mediums, expressing ideas innovatively, and collaborating on creative projects. |
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Conflict Resolution |
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Skills needed to address conflicts constructively, facilitate discussions, and negotiate solutions that satisfy all parties involved. Conflict resolution involves active listening, empathy, and communication skills.
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Digital literacy supports conflict resolution by providing individuals with effective communication channels and mediation tools for addressing misunderstandings and resolving disputes in virtual environments. Soft skills such as negotiation, diplomacy, and compromise are vital for navigating conflicts, finding common ground, and restoring trust in digital interactions. |
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Networking |
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Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with colleagues, clients, and contacts within and outside the organization. Networking involves effective communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to collaborate and share resources.
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Digital literacy expands networking opportunities by enabling individuals to connect with peers, mentors, and industry professionals through social networking sites, professional forums, and virtual events. Soft skills such as communication, relationship-building, and reciprocity are essential for cultivating meaningful connections, sharing expertise, and leveraging digital networks for career advancement. |
Acosta (2022) states we are “witnessing the rise of a new set of digital soft skills that will become ever more important as engaging digitally becomes the norm. The earlier people master these new skills, the better prepared they will be for the future” (para. 4). Ferreira et al. (2023) indicate that soft skills will be primary determinants of success for individuals during their careers. The digital transformation being experienced around the world bears major implications for both employers and employees as reskilling and upskilling will be needed for employers to develop the hard, soft, and digital literacy skills to thrive in the current workplace.
References
Acosta, M. (2022, November 29). Hybrid working: Why your company should embrace digital soft skills. World Economic Forum. Available https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/hybrid-working-digital-soft-skills/
Bessen, J. (2014, August 25). Employers aren’t just whining – the “skills gap” is real. Harvard Business Review. Available https://hbr.org/2014/08/employers-arent-just-whining-the-skills-gap-is-real
Ferreira, C., Robertson, J., & Pitt, L. (2023). Business (un)usual: Critical skills for the next normal. Thunderbird International Business Review, 65(1), 39–47. https://doi-org.lynx.lib.usm.edu/10.1002/tie.22276
National Soft Skills Association (n.d.) The real skills gap. Available https://www.nationalsoftskills.org/the-real-skills-gap/#:~:text=Research%20conducted%20by%20Harvard%20University,and%20knowledge%20(hard%20skills).
