Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the world of work. Many tasks that humans once performed are now being automated by AI systems. There are growing concerns that AI might lead to job losses. However, there is also a growing recognition that AI will create new jobs requiring different skills than those currently in demand. While AI excels in efficiency and automation, it often lacks the necessary human touch for emotional understanding, creativity, and complex problem-solving. This is where soft skills come into play, enabling individuals to complement and collaborate effectively with AI systems, fostering innovation, empathy, and adaptability. 

Soft skills are interpersonal skills that enable people to interact effectively with others. They include communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and teamwork. For instance, a software engineer who can communicate effectively with other team members will be able to get the work done more efficiently, and a manager who can build trust with the team members will be able to achieve higher productivity. Soft skills empower employees to navigate dynamic work environments and enhance the customer experience. In order to develop soft skills, Organisations must practise the following:

Employee development and learning: Organisations should  encourage a learning-focused environment to promote continuous improvement and learning from each other. Coupled with incentives and rewards, this can further motivate individuals to explore new areas beyond their core expertise. Continuous learning is vital to developing soft skills in the age of AI.

Building collaboration and communication:  Companies can assign employees to cross-functional teams, to work alongside colleagues from different departments. This would help employees build communication and collaboration skills while gaining exposure to diverse perspectives and approaches

Mentorship and coaching programs:  As a part of soft skill development,experienced employees can be paired with those seeking to develop specific soft skills. Mentors can provide guidance, feedback, and support to help employees hone their skills and knowledge.

Practical skill refinement: Firms can incorporate role-playing exercises and simulations into training programs to help employees’ practice and refine their soft skills in realistic scenarios. These interactive experiences will play a major role in fostering effective communication, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution abilities.

Evaluating the soft skills of employees and candidates is essential for building effective teams and driving organisational success. By acknowledging the significance of soft skills, companies can identify areas where improvement is needed, thereby fostering a more harmonious and productive work environment. There are several ways to assess the soft skills of candidates and employees. Here are a few examples:

Virtual assessment: Many virtual assessment tools can assess a wide range of skills, including communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.

360-degree feedback: 360-degree feedback is where employees receive constructive feedback from their manager, peers, and subordinates. This feedback offers a holistic view of the employee’s soft skills, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses.

Interviews: Interviews are a common way to assess soft skills. However, structured interviews must be used to ask specific questions about soft skills.

Situational judgement tests: Situational judgement tests (SJTs) are assessments that present candidates with hypothetical situations and ask them how they would respond. SJTs can be an excellent way to assess soft skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and teamwork.

Self-assessment: Employees can also assess their soft skills by completing self-assessment questionnaires or reflecting on their behaviour.

Using artificial intelligence: AI can analyse data from interviews, SJTs, and 360-degree feedback to identify patterns and trends. AI can also be used to develop virtual assessment tools to assess soft skills more objectively and consistently.

Organisations should understand that no single assessment method is perfect for assessing soft skills. By using a variety of methods, one can get a comprehensive picture of a candidate or employee’s skills. While assessing soft skills, the focus should be on specific skills that are relevant to the job. This will help identify individuals with the skills they need to be successful in that role. To further enhance the accuracy and fairness of soft skill assessments,  firms must use standardised assessments that have been validated to measure soft skills. By adopting a well-rounded approach, organisations can confidently identify candidates and employees who possess the essential soft skills for thriving in their respective roles, ultimately contributing to a successful work environment.

In the age of AI, the significance of soft skills cannot be underestimated, as they play a significant role in ensuring humans work effectively alongside AI systems, while maintaining ethical practices. Communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and teamwork are key soft skills that will be essential for success in this AI-driven era. Therefore, to meet the challenges of this constantly evolving landscape, employees must actively hone their soft skills to leverage AI's power while showcasing their uniquely human qualities. Organisations can foster a thriving workforce by prioritising strategies to cultivate and evaluate these skills, fostering collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. By investing in soft skill development and assessment, both employers and employees can equip themselves with the essential qualities needed to thrive in the ever-changing competitive and AI driven work environment.