What Are Soft Skills? – [With Examples]

Soft skills are interpersonal and communication abilities that influence how people work with others. Examples include teamwork, adaptability, empathy, and time management. Unlike technical skills, soft skills are non-quantifiable but essential for collaboration, leadership, and professional growth across all industries.

Examples Of Soft Skills

In the table below you can see examples of soft skills for employees.

Soft Skill	Description	Example Behaviors	Why Employers Value It
Communication	Ability to convey ideas clearly, listen actively, and adapt messages to different audiences	Presenting, active listening, writing emails	Essential for teamwork and leadership
Teamwork	Working effectively and harmoniously with others to achieve common goals	Collaborating on projects, supporting colleagues	Fosters productivity and morale
Problem Solving	Identifying issues, analyzing situations, and generating effective solutions	Troubleshooting, brainstorming, decision-making	Drives innovation and efficiency
Adaptability	Adjusting to new situations, learning quickly, and remaining flexible in the face of change	Embracing new tools, shifting priorities	Keeps organizations agile
Leadership	Guiding, motivating, and inspiring others to achieve objectives	Delegating, mentoring, setting vision	Builds strong teams and drives results
Work Ethic	Demonstrating reliability, diligence, and commitment to quality work	Meeting deadlines, attention to detail, integrity	Ensures trust and consistent output
Creativity	Generating new ideas, approaches, and solutions	Innovating, experimenting, thinking outside the box	Fuels growth and competitiveness
Conflict Resolution	Navigating and resolving disagreements constructively	Mediating disputes, finding win-win solutions	Maintains a positive work environment
Emotional Intelligence	Recognizing, understanding, and managing one’s own emotions and those of others	Empathy, self-regulation, social awareness	Improves relationships and collaboration
Time Management	Prioritizing tasks, managing deadlines, and using time efficiently	Scheduling, setting goals, avoiding procrastination	Boosts productivity and reduces stress
Networking	Building and maintaining professional relationships	Attending events, following up, connecting others	Expands opportunities and resources
Customer Service	Providing helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable support to clients or customers	Addressing complaints, following up, anticipating needs	Enhances reputation and loyalty

What Are Soft Skills? (And Why They Actually Matter)

Soft skills are the human part of work—the way you communicate, collaborate, and make decisions. They’re often called interpersonal skills or people skills, and they show up every time you send an email, lead a meeting, solve a conflict, or stay calm during chaos.

Unlike hard skills, which you can list, measure, and test (like Excel, coding, or data analysis), soft skills are behavioral. You feel them more than you see them.

Let’s break it down:

Soft skills include:

Critical thinking
Communication skills
Emotional intelligence
Teamwork skills
Time management
Adaptability
Self awareness

According to LinkedIn, 93% of employers say soft skills are critical when making hiring decisions. In fact, they’re often the reason someone gets promoted—or passed over.

They show up in job descriptions across industries and are essential for career readiness in today’s workforce.

Soft skills are how we:

Lead teams
Overcome obstacles
Solve problems with others
Interact effectively in team environments

Bottom line: You can teach someone how to use a tool. But soft skills shape how they use it—with others, under pressure, in real life.

Communication Skills: Say It So People Listen

You can have all the technical expertise in the world, but if you can’t explain it clearly, it’s game over.

Strong communication skills are about making your message land. Whether you’re on Zoom, writing a report, or pitching to a client—how you speak matters just as much as what you say.

Core elements of effective communication:

Active listening (no interrupting, no zoning out)
Clear structure (get to the point)
Tone + body language (use the right one for the room)
Adjusting your communication style based on the audience

Tips to improve:

Practice active listening by repeating back key points in your own words
Watch for non verbal cues (crossed arms, confused faces, silence)
Write emails that are short, scannable, and friendly
Use analogies to explain complex topics

Why this matters: Teams with strong communicators avoid mistakes, solve issues faster, and maintain positive relationships.

Emotional Intelligence: The Soft Skill Superpower

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is your ability to manage emotions—yours and everyone else’s. People with high emotional intelligence stay composed during conflict, read emotional cues, and understand how others feel—even when nothing is said.

Core EQ traits:

Self awareness: You know your triggers
Self control: You remain calm under stress
Empathy: You understand different perspectives
Social awareness: You read the room accurately

People with high EQs:

Resolve conflicts in a respectful manner
Interact effectively across teams and cultures
Build strong relationships based on trust and respect

Pro tip: Journaling and self reflection help you develop self awareness over time. So does seeking feedback from peers and mentors.

In today’s fast paced environments, the ability to stay grounded and adapt emotionally is priceless.

Teamwork: Win Together or Don’t Win at All

Great teams are built on trust, accountability, and collaboration. No one likes the teammate who takes credit or disappears when it matters.

Teamwork skills are about supporting others, managing group dynamics, and keeping projects moving—even when personalities clash or timelines shift.

Great team players:

Jump into group projects with a positive attitude
Help others complete tasks (even outside their own role)
Communicate in a respectful manner
Celebrate wins together—and own failures together

According to Deloitte, teams with high collaboration rates are 5x more likely to be high-performing.

Watch out for:

Not listening during meetings
Blaming others when things go wrong
Taking feedback personally instead of professionally

Whether you’re working in-person, remote, or hybrid—collaborate effectively or get left behind.

Adaptability: Change Is the New Normal

Change happens. New tools. New priorities. New coworkers from diverse backgrounds.

Adaptability is your ability to respond to change with a clear head and a plan—not panic. In today’s world of artificial intelligence, shifting markets, and global teams, it’s not just helpful. It’s essential.

Adaptable professionals:

Learn new skills without needing a push
Embrace change—even when it’s messy
Prioritize tasks quickly in uncertain situations
Stay focused on solutions, not problems

To build adaptability:

Volunteer for roles outside your comfort zone
Accept feedback as data—not criticism
Practice working with diverse perspectives

Adaptability isn’t just about surviving change. It’s about thriving through it—and helping your team do the same.

Leadership: Influence Without a Title

Leadership skills aren’t just for managers. They’re for anyone who takes initiative, inspires others, and drives results.

Leaders show up by example. They don’t just tell people what to do—they convey ideas clearly, take accountability, and build others up.

Good leadership looks like:

Taking charge of a specific job or project
Mentoring someone new on the team
Creating space for diverse perspectives
Making decisions based on facts—not ego

Pro tip: Leaders balance technical skills with people smarts. They care about results and relationships. You don’t need a promotion to act like a leader.

If you want to build your leadership muscle:

Offer to lead a team meeting
Coach someone through a tough task
Share credit and own responsibility equally

How to Actually Develop Soft Skills (Without a $2K Course)

Here’s the truth: You don’t need fancy credentials to develop soft skills. You need practice, feedback, and patience.

Ways to build soft skills:

Choose one focus area per week: time management, communication, problem solving
Watch skilled people in action and take notes
Join groups like Toastmasters or online peer circles
Take soft skills training via platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning

Tools that work:

360-degree reviews
Role-playing conflict resolution scenarios
Real-time feedback from co workers
Keeping a journal for self reflection

Just like going to the gym, soft skills get stronger with use. The more you apply them in real situations—during team environments, cross-functional meetings, or client calls—the more natural they become.

Typical Questions

Below are common questions we get asked.

How do soft skills influence remote or hybrid work environments differently than traditional office settings?

Soft skills are more important in remote work because non-verbal communication is limited. You need stronger communication skills, more self awareness, and better time management to stay productive, especially without supervision.

Can soft skills be objectively measured or assessed?

Yes. Organizations use tools like behavioral interviews, situational judgment tests, and 360-degree feedback to assess skills like problem solving, adaptability, and communication.

Are there cultural differences in how soft skills are used or valued in the workplace?

Absolutely. Cultural differences impact how people give feedback, show respect, or express leadership. Being able to interact effectively across cultures is a major soft skill—especially in global or virtual teams.

I’m strong in technical skills but weak in soft skills. How do I start improving?

Start with self reflection. Pick one area—like active listening or critical thinking skills—and ask for feedback from trusted co workers. Join soft skills training programs or take the lead on a group project. Progress is slow but steady.

Final Word: Soft Skills Are the Edge

In today’s job market, hard and soft skills go hand in hand. Your technical skills get you noticed. But your soft skills—how you communicate, adapt, and collaborate—are what people remember.

Hiring managers don’t just want someone who can complete tasks. They want someone who can: