How much is different? Since 2015, job skill sets have changed by about 25%<\/a> — a number which is expected to double by 2027 — and many of these changes involve technology.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s true that technological advancements consistently create more labor opportunities<\/a> than they remove, these advances are also creating a divide in the workplace. Generally it\u2019s younger workers with the most valuable hard skills, while soft and people skills are split between generations.<\/p>\n It\u2019s clear that going forward, companies will need to invest in keeping all of their employees up to scratch and learning key skills. With fast-changing industries and bigger age gaps than ever, how can companies tackle the growing problem of skill relevance?<\/p>\n While there’s an ongoing debate as to whether calling them “soft skills” somehow diminishes their importance, there is no part of the modern workforce that doesn\u2019t benefit from soft skills.<\/p>\n Moreover, as organizations increasingly value diversity and inclusion, soft skills like cultural competency, empathy, and emotional intelligence become even more important at all levels. These skills help create an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued and can perform at their best.<\/p>\n It\u2019s become something of a meme that young workers are \u2018fragile\u2019 and \u2018afraid of commitment\u2019. In many cases, they\u2019re actually taking care of their mental wellbeing<\/a>, fighting against microaggressions and taking ownership of their career\u2014all powerful positive traits.<\/p>\n However, while admittedly painting with a broad brush, there are meaningful soft skills that are more prevalent in older workers:<\/p>\n When it\u2019s well-managed, age diversity is powerful in bringing the best out of every employee and the business as a whole.<\/p>\n Soft skills play a crucial role in all workplaces. These include skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and leadership. Particularly in tech companies, where hard skills like coding and data analysis are often front and center, there can be a tendency to overlook the importance of soft skills.<\/p>\n Several giants have long been putting an emphasis on soft skill development. For instance, Google’s Project Aristotle<\/a>\u00a0study found that the most important factors to team success at Google were all soft skills, including psychological safety, dependability, structure and clarity, meaning, and impact. Google now provides its employees with training resources to develop these skills.<\/p>\n Those seeking tech jobs, Forbes advises<\/a>, should hone soft skills including communication, critical thinking, empathy, organization, problem-solving, resourcefulness, and time management.<\/p>\n No matter where you look, there’s hard evidence to support the development of soft skills.<\/p>\n Why do so many training programs fail to deliver?<\/strong> Here is a handful of extremely valuable skills that either didn\u2019t exist or were in their infancy 20 years ago:<\/p>\n So of course there\u2019s a need for training. Even longstanding industries like banking and professional services look vastly different today than when senior employees’ careers started 30 or 40 years ago.<\/p>\n But even for young people, these don\u2019t come naturally. They still need to train, study and practice for years. And the thing is, employees want opportunities to learn, grow and re-skill. When those needs are met, they’re more likely to stick around to continue to contribute and grow with the company. The LinkedIn 2023 Workplace Learning Report<\/a> found that while 93% of organizations are concerned about employee retention, the number one way organizations are working to improve retention is by providing learning opportunities.<\/p>\n When technological change was slower, training was often delivered in-house and in-person. Sometimes over a period of days. But today, the best option for many companies is self-paced online learning.<\/p>\n The extent and depth of training depends on the situation. If you\u2019re rolling out a new company-wide software tool, some basic online tutorials and video walkthroughs\u2014with a comprehensive FAQ\u2014should get you most of the way there.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re re-skilling employees in an entirely new skillset, you\u2019ll need to invest in a structured training program with a clear path to proficiency. This is still likely to take place online, and it\u2019s essential that employees are given enough time to study and practice their new skills on company time.<\/p>\n The only difference for older, non-digitally native workers is stronger fundamentals. Make sure the context and relevance of the new skill set is clear. Create a culture of \u2018no stupid questions\u2019.<\/p>\n Even complex skills, like learning software engineering in your fifties, can be achieved with strong support and high-quality training. As knowledge work continues to expand and some traditional hard skills become obsolete, this commitment to hard skill training will become paramount.<\/p>\n Giving employees access to training in new skills is a superpower for retention, employee experience, and growth. Workers of every age appreciate the chance to advance their skill sets and become more valuable employees.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s paramount that companies don\u2019t get tunnel vision on novel hard skills. Of course they\u2019re vital\u2014but without a foundation of valuable soft skills, the risk of fractured teams, poor management, and destructive communication shoots up.<\/p>\n Take care of your employees and they\u2019ll take care of you.<\/p>\n Is your team on track for skill-building success<\/strong>? Run a professional development needs evaluation<\/a> and find out where you stand — and how to move forward. Headed in the right direction? Ensure you’re assessing success as you go<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The world is changing fast. The astonishing rate of new technology adoption means employees might need to re-skill multiple times over a single career\u2014and it\u2019s every company\u2019s responsibility to ensure their people get adequate training in novel hard skills, but also softer, people-focused skills. How much is different? Since 2015, job skill sets have changed by about 25% — a number which is expected to double by 2027 — and many of these changes involve technology. While it\u2019s true that technological advancements consistently create more labor opportunities than they remove, these advances are also creating a divide in the workplace. Generally it\u2019s younger workers with the most valuable hard skills, while soft and people skills are split between generations. It\u2019s clear that going forward, companies will need to invest in keeping all of their employees up to scratch and learning key skills. With fast-changing industries and bigger age gaps than ever, how can companies tackle the growing problem of skill relevance? Are soft skills still relevant in 2023? While there’s an ongoing debate as to whether calling them “soft skills” somehow diminishes their importance, there is no part of the modern workforce that doesn\u2019t benefit from soft skills. Entry-Level and Low-Skill Labor\u2014For employees in these roles, soft skills like communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving can significantly impact performance. Being able to clearly communicate with coworkers, understand instructions, adapt to changing circumstances, or resolve conflicts with customers or colleagues is crucial. They\u2019re also essential for the path to advancement. Mid-Level Employees […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":58162,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[156,1025],"tags":[168,208,69,395],"yoast_head":"\n![\"upskilling](\"https:\/\/www.sogolytics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Two-men-discussing-on-Tablet-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nAre soft skills still relevant in 2023?<\/h2>\n
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What can Gen X and Boomers teach younger colleagues?<\/h2>\n
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How to train soft skills<\/h2>\n
\nFind out!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nHard skills are changing\u2014fast<\/h2>\n
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How to train all employees in hard skills<\/h2>\n
![\"upskilling\"](\"https:\/\/www.sogolytics.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/pexels-monstera-6281943.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTime to make upskilling your company\u2019s superpower<\/h2>\n