Work and organisations
The profound impact of soft skills on employment, success, efficiency, effectiveness and overall performance is not to be underestimated.
Equally important is the role transversal skills play in building teams that are resilient, competitive and adaptable.
These skills are the essential pillars of a healthy organisational culture focused on well-being and the true value people can bring to the company and the entire organisation.
They really make the difference in terms of employability.
Maybe we should think of soft skills in a different way.
If we focus only on results (productivity, performance, goals), we'll end up getting off the track or skating on thin ice, and this is also a sound piece of advice for modern leadership.
Today's most in-demand soft skills
I don't believe there can be just one comprehensive list encompassing all the 'top' soft skills, as their value depends on the specific context in which they are applied—the workplace.
Yet, if we accept this challenging though unrealistic task and draw on recent studies, we can still compile a list of the most sought-after abilities nowadays.
Effective communication certainly is at the top of that list. Clarity and persuasiveness, collaboration and listening are essential—easy to name, but more complex to master.
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 also highlights the need for
emotional intelligence and the ability to recognise and manage emotions effectively— which is a demanding task indeed. A key skill, as Goleman puts it.
Adaptability and flexibility undoubtedly rank top in such a list, especially given the rapid pace of innovation and technology. As a result, tolerance for uncertainty also becomes mandatory.
Organisations then need people who know how to analyse complex situations and find innovative solutions thanks to their critical thinking, problem-solving skills and strategic creativity.
Teamwork
However, teamwork is at the core of soft skills, fostered by collaboration, networking and sharing. After all, we human beings are social creatures!
Far from being exhaustive, this list should also include another skill we often overlook— lifelong learning, which entails the constant need for learning and upskilling, embracing open-mindedness, and being curious about diversity, different cultures and perspectives.
Working on soft skills means encouraging improvement across the cognitive, emotional and motivational levels—even through innovative methods.
Therefore, it involves facilitating personal and professional growth and development so as to be competitive and make progress in our lives and careers.
Transversal competencies as a top priority
Setting everything else aside, according to the World Economic Forum in its update of "The Future of Jobs Report 2025", soft skills are an absolute priority for companies worldwide.
The study highlighted some particularly striking findings:
- 94% of companies consider soft skills to be more important than technical skills. What a discovery!
- The most sought-after skills are: critical thinking, creativity, empathetic leadership, and change management. Easier said than done!
- Soft skills are strategic for tackling the evolution and dominance of new technologies. An undeniable truth.
- Interpersonal communication, the ability to build effective relationships, and problem-solving are almost mandatory skills. They always have been!
REFERENCES
Kyllonen, P. C. (2023). Soft Skills and 21st Century Workforce Development: The Role of Cognitive, Emotional, and Social Competencies in Career Success. Springer.
Pellegrino, J. W., & Hilton, M. L. (2023). Educating for Innovation: The Role of Soft Skills in Problem Solving and Creativity. National Academies Press.
World Economic Forum (2025). The Future of Jobs Report 2025. World Economic Forum.