The Increased Emphasis on Workplace Skills
By Kendra Gemma
In today’s technology-driven world, being human is more important than ever. That extends to the office, where workplace skills have become prioritized for new hires, existing employees, and company leaders.
What exactly are workplace skills? Often also called “soft skills,” they include teamwork, communication, creativity, adaptability, and time management.
A recent study by the Stanford Research Institute and the Carnegie Mellon Foundation found that 75 percent of long-term job success depends on people skills, while only 25 percent depends on technical knowledge.
Why are these competencies seeing an upsurge in demand? Local experts weighed in on the reasons and how you can hone workplace skills in yourself and your employees to take your company to the next level.
“With so much technology now infiltrating the workplace and the explosion of AI, the ability to communicate and show empathy and adapt are what set us apart,” said Kristen Thiesen, founder and CEO of Amplify Connections Consulting.
Blair Bloomston, founder and CEO of Leaders Uplifted, agrees.
“Leaders are craving in-person connection, collaboration, and all of that, to me, comes back to those core skills of being able to speak with others, empathize with them, and being an authentic leader who inspires your team,” she said.
How Leaders Can Help Their Employees
Both women work with businesses and organizations to help them improve their communication and collaboration. Thiesen holds leadership and professional development workshops, and Bloomston offers ongoing leadership initiatives and certifies people in her LIFT program with the goal of creating a new movement of culture-specific coaches at work.
“Great leaders as coaches is the new forefront and we see the success of this in pro sports,” Bloomston said. “When I’m working with pro teams or college teams, it’s not just the coach making the decisions. There’s encouragement. There’s communication. If leaders, especially middle managers and up, can manage feedback and enhanced communication, those two things alone are huge accelerators and grounded in common sense.”
Thiesen believes it’s important for employers to offer training to their staff, as well. “It will not only help their skills, but it also shows that the manager cares about the staff person as an individual and wants to help them grow, which is critical for staff members to help them feel valued and like they want to stay in their role,” she said.
How to Improve Your Workplace Skills
Even if your company doesn’t provide workshops or other learning opportunities, you can sharpen your skills through your own efforts.
For example, if you want to become a better public speaker, Thiesen recommends recording yourself presenting via Zoom so you can objectively look at what needs attention. Also, ask family and friends for honest feedback and, finally, when you’re ready, volunteer to speak in front of a small group at the office.
Bloomston touts the rapid growth of the corporate learning industry. She recommends looking into training offered by organizations specific to your industry or going after an advanced college degree, depending on your long-term goals.
No matter what path you choose, it’s never too early to learn – or too late to refresh – your workplace skills.
Kim Richmond, Executive Director of 26 West Entrepreneurship Center at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota leads The Power of YOU Job Skills Training Program. Since the program’s implementation three years ago, it has trained 400 middle school and high school students in soft skills – from basics like how to shake hands properly and how to dress to more advanced abilities such as written communication and body language.
“We call them ‘essential skills’ – the X factor that can set people apart at any level but particularly at an entry level,” Richmond said.
The final assignment in the seven-week course is to be interviewed on the campus’s “My Personal Brand” talk show. Each student is on for three to four minutes, sharing their story.
“It’s amazing to see them come alive in simulated real-life situations,” she said.
While the program was created for students, it’s also offered to companies whose employees need a refresher course.
“If we can make workplace skills part of the culture, we will have a more well-rounded workforce,” said Richmond.
Especially for new employees fresh out of high school or college, these soft skills will help them go a long way in their careers.
“Even though someone might be entering your workplace at a starting point and not have a title yet, smart business leaders will hire those who see themselves as leaders now and in the future who approach work with that level of engagement, work ethic, and drive,” said Bloomston. “It’s even more important than past academics and education.”
About the Author
Kendra Gemma has owned her content marketing business, klg communications, since 2018. She works with a variety of clients, from small marketing agencies to local nonprofits, providing content strategy, copywriting services, and social media management.