What are Soft Skills?
According to the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), soft skills such as critical thinking, organization, innovation, cooperation, leadership and interpersonal communication are vital to business operations. They are primary drivers of flexibility, collaboration, problem solving and dependability. Soft skills are people skills and contribute to effectively interacting with others through relationship building, good communication and adaptability.
Can reading and writing be considered as soft skills?
Yes, reading and writing are most certainly considered as soft skills. While they are often seen as just fundamental literacy skills, they play a critical role in effective communication and interpersonal interactions, which as SHRM defined are key components of soft skills.
Reading as a Soft Skill
Critical thinking is an important component. Engaging with various texts helps develop analytical skills and the ability to assess different viewpoints. The mind needs to be stretched constantly by absorbing different kinds of literature and then answering questions that challenge one’s thoughts about what they read.
Empathy is the next important component. Reading fiction can enhance understanding of diverse perspectives and foster emotional intelligence. Empathy can be introduced at an early age for children during story-time. Educational psychologist Michele Borba in her book “Unselfie: Why empathetic kids succeed in our All-About Me World,” mentions that teaching empathy to children is more important than ever. Borba suggests asking questions such as what if and how you would feel to keep them engaged and thinking while reading to them (Rymanowicz, 2017).
Comprehension and interpretation are two crucial factors that depend upon each other. Being able to understand and interpret information is vital in many collaborative environments. These skills are extremely important in order relay information and complete tasks. At home with children, it starts out as children following the instructions of their parents. In school, children are to follow the rules of the school and their classroom. At the workplace, there are laws, policies and procedures in place that adults should be able to understand and follow.
If comprehension is not built strong at an early age it will become difficult to grasp later, but it can be done with practice. Use effective techniques when reading such as:
- Highlighting and note-taking
- Practice summarizing after reading a text
- Skim material looking for heading, subheadings, and/or conclusions to create mental framework for understanding
- Pose questions about the content to enhance engagement and retention: What do you expect to learn? What did you find surprising?
- Use group discussions when needed to help provide new insights and reinforce understanding
- Make connections to text by relating it to personal experiences
- Engage multiple senses by reading aloud which can help with retention and understanding, especially for auditory learning according to Huntington Learning Center.
Writing as a Soft Skill
Effective Communication is vital in every area of life. Clear writing is essential for conveying ideas and information accurately, whether in emails, reports, or presentations. From making plans with family to hosting a conference event overseas, effective communication is what makes every phase of the project run smoothly.
How can someone become an effective communicator? While some may feel that there are people with natural born abilities to communicate well, there are tips and strategies to help shape a person’s communication style. The first way is to listen actively. If a person wants to be heard, then he/she must first show they are willing to actively listen to others. There is a courtesy rule where the person should not get so focused on what they are saying that they miss the other speaker’s important comments, emotions, and reactions.
Creativity is another important factor. Writing fosters creativity, which can enhance problem-solving and innovative thinking in team settings. Creativity enriches the writing process, leading to more impactful, engaging and memorable pieces. It encourages exploration and self-expression, making writing not just a task but an art form. Creativity comes from putting in the work and writers can play with ideas, concepts, words, and phrases, refining their message for clarity and impact.
Professionalism is always a huge factor in any area of business. Strong writing skills contribute to a professional image, particularly in business communications. As mentioned with SHRM earlier, good communication is part of those leadership attributes that enable people to effectively interact with others through relationship building.
Digital Communication
The evolving nature of reading and writing as soft skills reflects changes in society, technology, and communication methods. With the rise of emails, social media, instant and direct messaging have adapted to shorter, more concise forms of communication. With the shortened time to grab attention, this type of communication demands clarity and brevity.
In the age of information saturation, the ability to critically read and assess sources is essential. This includes distinguishing credible information from misinformation. Doing thorough research is paramount because people want to know they are reading accurate information from credible sources.
Conclusion
As reading and writing continue to evolve, they remain vital soft skills that adapt to the changing landscape of communication and collaboration. As workplaces increasingly value communication and collaboration, the skills of reading and writing are key when navigating both personal and professional relationships. Developing these skills is essential for personal success and effective engagement in today’s fast-paced and dynamic world.
Resources
Huntington Learning Center. (2024). Four Benefits of Reading Aloud
Rymanowicz, K. (2017). Children and Empathy: Reading to Learn Empathy
Leave a Reply