More and more companies are measuring soft skills in their work force and evaluating their impact on performance. Only recently do we have evidence that soft skills may be age- and occupation-related. This is based on four different studies. The first two studies were conducted in the fall of 2008. Nine hundred college freshmen from two Midwest universities were asked to respond to an assessment that measures 23 specific soft skills. The results from both groups (business and engineering majors) indicated that, as a group, they have almost no mastery in these 23 soft skills. In fact, their lowest scores were in decision making.
In the spring of 2009, a small group of seniors were given the same survey. The results showed only a slight improvement.
Curriculum or Practice?
Looking at the numbers, it is becoming more and more apparent that certain soft skills cannot be taught in the classroom. To mention a few:
- Interpersonal Skills
- Personal Effectiveness
- Futuristic Thinking
- Self-Management
- Diplomacy
- Goal Orientation
- Flexibility
To support this hypothesis, a group of employed adults (1632) were given the same assessments. Specifically, the research was looking for correlations among people who are passionate about knowledge for knowledge’s sake. Many Ph.D.s fall into this category. The evidence was very clear on all 23 soft skills: There were no correlations strong enough to predict a person will actually develop soft skills based on curriculum knowledge. The assessment used did not measure their knowledge of the skills; it measured their mastery of the skills and the use of these skills in their work. In other words, Do they walk their talk?
The bookstores are full of self-help books that would lead you to think that buying a book can lead to developing and mastering certain soft skills. Merely reading a book on how to persuade others will not make you a successful sales person.
So what are we to do? The knowledge needs to be incorporated into activities, experiences and games. Practicing what you preach is the most promising method of developing soft skills.
If you would like more information, or if you would like to participate in this ongoing research, contact your Value Added Associate or TTI at 800-869-6908.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:44 am
I don’t necessarily agree with this article in regards to the fact that soft skills cannot be taught in a classroom. I have been working with high school and college students for over 7 years, beginning with high school juniors. Our 4 week (Saturday) high school program, The Engineering Challenge for the 21st Century, is targeted towards inner-city students in the hope of having them become interested in pursuing an education and careers in the science, math, technology and engineering fields. Many of the students entering the Program have no college aspirations. After the program, anywhere between 4 to 7 students (out of a group of 24) end up enrolling at a community college or university. Because of our success with the students, we have recently been funded for an additional 4 years.
Basic engineering skills in a project and team oriented hands-on environment, DISC, teambuilding, technical writing, and personal accountability are integral components of this program. DISC is the component of the program that the kids enjoy the most and the most meaningful in changing their lives. We have witnessed first hand, how the students use DISC to improve their interpersonal skills, communications, personal accountability, teamwork, diplomacy, etc. Teachers and parents are constantly contacting us and our sponsors to relay how we have made significant differences in the kids lives. They carry themselves better, are more self assured and find unique ways of avoiding conflict, and successfully go on to college.
This article is correct though in saying that constant reinforcement is necessary through games, activities, etc. To ensure that the kids do get the reinforcement that they need, we offer training programs to teachers to integrate our methodologies including DISC into their classrooms.
The major issue here is that the aforementioned soft skills (I would rather use the term “Professional skills”) are not taught in the class room at the high school or college level. To compound this situation, a large percentage of the population is not exposed to learning these skills even as adults, in both the academic and non-academic world. TTI Distributors are truly making a difference in helping people become more effective and productive.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Hi
I am enrolling for a Masters degree and my field is soft skills in teachers. I am doing this at University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. Is there anyone who has done research about specific soft skills needed by teachers?
thanks!
Elma