Sdls 301 Assignment

NAME: RUTENDO MAUNZE F
REG NO. R2110651
PROGRAM: HIA
COURSE: SDLSAH 301
DEPARTMENT: HISTORY HERITAGE AND KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

QUESTION
IDENTIFY ANY FIVE COMMON SOFT SKILLS, ORGANISATIONS LOOK

FOR WHEN HIRING AND JUSTIFY THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE SOFT
SKILLS IN ANY WORK PLACE ENVIRONMENT
The essence of this essay is to elaborate the importance of soft skills in a work place
environmet. Soft skills are group of expected personal attributes that enable
individuals to interact effectively with others in the workplace. Employers are looking
for candidates who possess these skills as they are essential for creating a positive
work environment and driving business success. Soft skills are essential in the modern
workplace. Organizations often seek candidates who not only possess strong technical
abilities but also demonstrate a range of essential soft skills that contribute to a
positive and productive workplace environment. Here are five common soft skills that
organizations look for when hiring, along with their justifications for importance in
the workplace. These soft skills include communication, adaptation, resonsibility,
leadership skills annd problem solving as this essay unfolds
To start with, one of the common soft skills in any work place invironment include
communication. Effective communication is essential in any workplace, as it helps to
ensure that information is conveyed clearly and accurately between colleagues, teams,
and clients. Organizations look for candidates who can communicate their ideas and
thoughts clearly, both verbally and in writing. This includes active listening, using
appropriate body language, and adapting communication styles to different audiences.
Effective communication is crucial for building trust, resolving conflicts, and
achieving shared goals. It helps to prevent misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and
mistakes, and enables teams to work together more efficiently and
productively.According to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management
(SHRM), 79% of employers rated communication skills as “very important” or
“somewhat important” when hiring new employees (SHRM, 2020) Nonverbal
communication is one of many tools that can help you make a good impression in
interviews and in your professional life. However, candidate assessments should be
based on skills and qualifications, and workplaces should strive to be inclusive and
understanding of individual differences in communication styles.
Furthermore, adaptation is another soft skill that is important at any workplace

environment. Being flexible is an important soft skill. Employers typically want to see
their team being open-minded and embracing change. This is especially important in a
busy work environment where things change quickly. Adaptability is the ability to
adjust to new situations, challenges, and technologies. Organizations look for
candidates who can adapt quickly to changing circumstances, learn from their
mistakes, and find creative solutions to complex problems. Adaptability is critical in
today’s fast-paced and rapidly changing business environment. As technology and
industry trends evolve, employees need to be able to adapt their skills and knowledge
to stay relevant and competitive.
In addition to the above, another soft skill that is important in any work place is
responsibility and leadership. Whether you are in charge of a team or contribute as an
equal member, responsibility is key to ensuring all necessary tasks are completed
accurately and efficiently. Responsible employees manage their time effectively and
take ownership of their work. Being responsible also translates to building trust in the
workplace by owning up to errors. While this might sound counterintuitive,
employers generally appreciate employees who go out of their way to fix their
mistakes, which shows a commitment to the job and respect for affected coworkers or
customers. In certain cases, responsibility can also mean taking on leadership roles
like facilitating a meeting or spearheading a particular project. Taking on these types
of responsibilities demonstrates motivation, an ability to prioritize tasks, and an
aptitude for finding diplomatic solutions based on consensus or feedback.
Some hiring managers even seek candidates with experience mentoring coworkers or
coaching new employees since these soft skills indicate knowledge of communication
techniques and lay the foundation for effective teamwork which is important.
To add on, leadership is also one of the common soft skills.A good leader has the
ability to inspire their team to achieve greatness. They are able to set a clear vision,
communicate it effectively and create a culture of accountability and excellence. More
importantly, they’re able to inspire and influence team members to achieve shared
goals and objectives. The ability to lead effectively is often considered a critical
component of professional success, and is highly valued by employers in a wide range
of industries and professions. Because most employees work in teams, leadership is
widely recognized as a critical attribute for success in the modern workplace. The
ability to inspire, motivate, and guide others towards a common goal. Organizations
look for candidates who can lead by example, empower their teams, and build a
positive and inclusive work culture. Leadership is important for driving business
success, building strong teams, and achieving long-term goals. According to a study
by the Harvard Business Review, employees who take the initiative to lead and
innovate are more likely to be promoted and receive higher performance ratings
( Harvard Business Review, 2018) . When employees demonstrate leadership skills,
they can inspire and motivate their colleagues to achieve great things and drive
business growth.
Lastily, problem-solving is the ability to identify and solve problems effectively.

Organizations look for candidates who can analyze data, identify patterns, and think
critically to find solutions to complex challenges. Problem-solving is significant for
driving innovation, improving processes, and achieving business objectives. When
employees can solve problems creatively and efficiently, they can help their
organizations to stay ahead of the competition and achieve better results. According to
a survey by CareerBuilder, 74% of employers rated problem-solving skills as “very
important” or “somewhat important” when hiring new employees (CareerBuilder,
2020). Problem-solving also makes it easier to make more informed decisions because
employees are able to analyze situations and identify the best course of action. As a
result, teams are able to get more done in less time.
In conclusion, the importance of soft skills in employee development cannot be

overemphasized. While hard skills are important, it is the soft skills that truly set
employees apart and enable them to excel in the workplace. Companies that invest in
the development of soft skills can reap numerous benefits, including increased
productivity, improved employee satisfaction, and enhanced customer experiences.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bird, M. F., The Power of the Soft Skills: Why People skills matter matter more than
ever. HarperCollins Leadership. 2018.
Buckingham,M., Goodall, A., Whats the big idea? A user guide to the soft skills.
HpperCollins Leadership. 2019
CareerBuilder. (2020). Most In-Demand Soft Skills in the Workplace. Retrieved

from https://www.careerbuilder.com/advice/most-in-demand-soft-skills-in-the-
workplace. accessed on 10 November 2023.
Downs, E. (2018). Your first job: How to survive and thrive in the workplace.
Bloomsbury Publishing USA. - Fox, S. (2017). Soft skills for workplace success.
ABC-CLIO.
Forbes. The Importance of Communication Skills in the Workplace. Retrieved from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/20/the-importance-of-
communication-skills-in-the-workplace/?sh=79c93f0d6f6c Accessed on 7 November
2023.
Havard Business Review. The Benefits of Collaboration in the Workplace. Retrieved

from https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-benefits-of-collaboration-in-the-workplace
Accessed on 7 November 2023.
McKinsey & Company. (2019). Delivering through diversity. Retrieved
from https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/delivering-
through-diversity. Accessed on 7 November 2023.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). (2020). SHRM’s 2020 Job
Satisfaction and Engagement Survey. Retrieved from
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/2020-job-
satisfaction-and-engagement-survey.aspx.
The Importance of Adaptability in the Workplace by Fast Company

https://www.fastcompany.com/90308470/the-importance-of-adaptability-in-the-
workplace Accessed on 7 November 2023.
REFERENCES
“The Importance of Communication Skills in the Workplace” by Forbes
(https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/09/20/the-importance-of-
communication-skills-in-the-workplace/?sh=79c93f0d6f6c)
“The Benefits of Collaboration in the Workplace” by Harvard Business Review

(https://hbr.org/2019/03/the-benefits-of-collaboration-in-the-workplace)
“The Importance of Adaptability in the Workplace” by Fast Company

(https://www.fastcompany.com/90308470/the-importance-of-adaptability-in-the-
workplace)

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NAME: RUTENDO MAUNZE F

REG NO. R2110651

COURSE: SDLSAH 301

DEPARTMENT: HISTORY HERITAGE AND KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS

IDENTIFY ANY FIVE COMMON SOFT SKILLS, ORGANISATIONS LOOK

Furthermore, adaptation is another soft skill that is important at any workplace

Lastily, problem-solving is the ability to identify and solve problems effectively.

In conclusion, the importance of soft skills in employee development cannot be

CareerBuilder. (2020). Most In-Demand Soft Skills in the Workplace. Retrieved

Forbes. The Importance of Communication Skills in the Workplace. Retrieved from

Havard Business Review. The Benefits of Collaboration in the Workplace. Retrieved

The Importance of Adaptability in the Workplace by Fast Company

“The Benefits of Collaboration in the Workplace” by Harvard Business Review

“The Importance of Adaptability in the Workplace” by Fast Company

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