I’ll never forget the first time I heard the term “soft skills.” It was during one of my group counseling classes for my master's degree. I remember feeling a bit odd because I had never heard about “soft skills” while growing up or anywhere within my undergraduate degree. I had always focused on academic skills, technical knowledge, and “hard skills,” so the idea that skills like effective communication, learning styles and problem-solving were equally important was a revelation. It turns out, soft skills are crucial in almost every aspect of life, from personal relationships to professional success. Even more, they are what employers are looking for in their employees.
Why Soft Skills Matter
Recent research highlights that while hard skills—such as technical knowledge and expertise—are essential, soft skills are often the differentiators in career advancement and personal development. According to an article published by Business Name Generator, soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and collaboration are among the top skills employers seek. 84% of employees and managers believe new employees must possess soft skills and need to be able to demonstrate them within the hiring process. These skills facilitate better teamwork, enhance problem-solving capabilities, and improve overall job performance.
Moreover, a study from LinkedIn Learning found that 92% of talent professionals believe soft skills are just as important, if not more so, than hard skills. This shift in emphasis is a response to the evolving job market, where technical skills alone are no longer enough to ensure success. Soft skills enable individuals to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, adapt to changing environments, and lead effectively.
Knack’s Approach to Soft Skill Development
At Knack, we recognize the importance of soft skills and have designed our strategy to foster their development seamlessly. Here’s how Knack contributes to this growth:
1. Structured Peer Learning: Knack facilitates structured peer-to-peer tutoring, where students and tutors engage in learning. Students and tutors passively develop skills such as active listening, teaching and learning styles, and empathy, as both parties work together to achieve learning objectives.
2. Feedback Mechanisms: Regular feedback is integral to personal growth. Knack incorporates feedback loops that help both students and tutors reflect on their interactions. Through session recaps, students and tutors are able to keep accurate time-keeping of their sessions and recap on the material covered in their sessions. This process not only enhances academic understanding but also hones skills such as giving and receiving constructive criticism, self-awareness, and attention to detail.
3. Teaching and Learning Styles: Knack helps students and tutors develop soft skills by exposing them to various teaching and learning styles. For instance, students might engage with visual aids or interactive discussions, while tutors adapt their methods to suit these styles. This experience fosters adaptability, empathy, and effective communication skills.
4. Public Speaking Skills: Whether in a one-on-one or a group session, these sessions are able to provide valuable opportunities for students and tutors to enhance their public speaking skills. Engaging in these interactive sessions helps users practice articulating their ideas clearly, think through a thoughtful response, and confidently present the information effectively in a supportive environment.
5. Communication and Negotiation Skills: The session request flow, where students submit requests for tutors to quote and respond, fosters soft skill development by requiring users to clearly articulate their needs. This process helps both students and tutors enhance their communication, organization, and problem-solving skills as they manage and respond to various requests and feedback.
Transformative Tutoring
Reflecting on my own journey and what I continue to observe in higher education, it’s clear that soft skills are as crucial as academic knowledge and hard skills. At Knack, we’re committed to supporting the development of these essential skills through our innovative strategy. By creating an environment where peer tutoring naturally encourages growth, in a wide variety of soft skills, we’re helping students and tutors alike build a foundation for success in both their academic and professional lives.
Whether you’re a tutor or a student, embracing and nurturing soft skills can significantly enhance your experience and effectiveness while setting you up for future success. At Knack, we’re proud to be part of this transformative process, helping individuals thrive in ways they might not even realize.
Empower your students to excel academically and professionally by fostering an environment that promotes effective communication, problem-solving, and leadership. Book a call with Knack to learn how we can help enhance student success on your campus through the development of soft skills.
