Soft versus hard skills – the reality
Many technical job listings emphasize the need for “soft skills”; these can be skills such as empathy, communication, or critical thinking. In the world we live in today, why do we call them “soft?”
The term “soft skills” dates back to the US military in the 1960s, when “soft skills” entailed anything that did not require the use of machinery. The term has migrated to the corporate world and is often misapplied to colloquially refer to interpersonal skills or emotional IQ. The demand for these skills has risen in recent years. There is an assumption that these skills are easy to develop or are somehow intrinsic to some individuals. The idea that “hard skills” are more important or valuable than “soft skills” is unfortunate and soft skills are often stereotypically associated with women. Employers look for competencies and critical skills and offer training...
