| Pub. Date | : Mar, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Product Name | : The IUP Journal of Soft Skills |
| Product Type | : Article |
| Product Code | : IJSS20321 |
| Author Name | : Manishankar Chakraborty |
| Availability | : YES |
| Subject/Domain | : Management |
| Download Format | : PDF Format |
| No. of Pages | : 7 |
Soft skills form the basis of organizational success. Globally, organizations are placing added emphasis on soft skills training. However, they are ignorant of the finer aspects that soft skills training from hard skills training. The ever-changing aspects of soft skills-related dynamics are understood by only a handful few, and add to it the situation emerging due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This would culminate in employees lacking the essential link between soft skills, hard skills and transferable skills in the new normal setup. The paper dwells on a case study highlighting the dynamism of soft skills and the importance for the planner and the implementer to understand it from the right perspective. Furthermore, it also adds to the aspect of customized and context-based soft skills training, rather than having a 'one size fits all' approach.
Soft skills form the backbone of all professions, along with the hard skills commensurate with the job roles and industry. The importance of soft skills and transferable skills has been felt for quite some time now, and its importance has only increased with the passage of time. Add to it the challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and one can see the new normal has everything in almost every sector that needs a bit of soft skills in it. Studies have revealed that the coronavirus induced pandemic has changed and reshaped the working world at a brisk pace. It is therefore imperative for employer and employee to prepare for the essentials that are going to form the next basis of professional success and one important ingredient lies in soft skills.1 The soft skills of the yesteryears would have to be customized according to the new requirements, in line with the pandemic and post-pandemic environment. Most of the soft skills essential for survival during these challenging times are not only going to define individual successes, but would also differentiate the men from the boys. Furthermore, there is a sea change even in the leadership arena during and after the pandemic, and therefore, even leaders have to inculcate newer soft skills to lead from the front. Soft skills have always been something that is easy to the ears, but difficult to implement in real life, especially, while blending with hard skills. The complication of this relationship has in fact increased manifold with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the situation that will pan out