Some call them soft skills. Others call them power skills. But is there a difference and does it really matter? And if it does, why?
Read the article and decide if the sentences below are true or false:
1. The terms “soft skills” and “power skills” are used interchangeably without any distinction.
2. The military’s experience highlighted the importance of leadership skills alongside technical abilities.
3. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 identified hard skills as the most essential for the workforce.
4. Power skills are considered easier to develop than hard skills according to the text.
5. The author suggests that businesses often fail due to neglecting the development of power skills.
6. The text implies that technical training is more important than developing interpersonal skills.
7. The author believes that the most significant asset in business is the technology used by organisations.
Key: 1F; 2T; 3F; 4F; 5T; 6F; 7F
Glossary
- transferable – that can be moved from one place, person or use to another
- intangible – imprecise or unclear to the mind
- make a career pivot – move into a different field or role
- sustain – to make something continue for some time without becoming less
- dissension – arguments and disagreement, especially in an organization, group, political party, etc.
- to render – cause to be or become; make
- to obsolete – to make (something) old-fashioned or no longer useful
- to glean – to learn, to pick up
- to leverage – to get as much advantage or profit as possible from something that you have
Practice makes perfect
WORD FORMATION: Change the word in CAPITALS to fill in the blanks.
If you’re thinking about improving your 1. …………. [PRODUCTIVE] in the new year, then you’ll want to focus on improving your soft skills. In my work (…) I often find clients need support in both identifying and upgrading these skills. Soft skills not only allow you to improve and 2. …………. [STRONG] business relationships, they also can help you work more 3. ………………. [PRODUCTIVE] in the long term.
Here are five (…) skills you should work on improving in the new year.
Delegation
If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, you must practice delegating tasks to others. Delegating tasks doesn’t mean you’re weak, 4. ………….. [COMPETENCY], or not in control. It shows you’re a responsible leader who is making thoughtful choices for their business.
Practice your delegation soft skills by assigning 5. …………… [ADMINISTRATION] tasks and to-dos to your executive assistant or appropriate helper. (…)
Prioritization
Prioritization is one of those soft skills that can make even the most determined business owner hesitate. Your job is to make a 6. ………….. [DISTINCT] between what is truly urgent and important in your work, right now at this very moment, and what is not.(…) The key in mastering prioritization is understanding that the 7. ……………. [URGENT] and importance of tasks will naturally change and shift over the course of a day, week, month, or year. (…)
Communication
Communication is often found at the top of any soft skills list. But it’s not enough to simply make contact. (…) You must (…) clearly articulate your intentions, questions, and concerns within that communication method. Ask yourself if the information you’re presenting is clear, concise, and easily 8. ……………… [UNDERSTAND].
Critical thinking
Critical thinking skills are useful in the realm of productivity because they can help you work more effectively and efficiently. One way to see this intertwining is to view your work tasks and 9. ………… s [ASSIGN) as pieces of an intertwined puzzle.
If you take action in one work area, how will it reduce, add to, or neutralize your current workload and energy levels? For instance, does adding meetings to your schedule help you complete other work? Does delegating 10. ………………. [REPEAT] clerical tasks free up your time? (…)
Time management (…)
In order to read the whole article/check your answers, go to: https://www.inc.com/rashelle-isip/5-productivity-skills-you-need-to-learn-in-2025/91101373
Key: 1. productivity; 2. strengthen; 3. productively; 4. incompetent; 5. administrative; 6. distinction; 7. urgency; 8. understandable; 9. assignments; 10. repetitive
Discuss:
- What is the key difference between soft skills and hard skills?
- Why has the term “soft skills” been rebranded to “power skills” in recent years?
- What are some examples of the most essential power skills desired in the workforce today?
- (According to Josh Bersin) why are power skills (or soft skills) considered more important and harder to obtain than hard skills?
- Why do some businesses fail despite having the necessary infrastructure and technology?
- What is the importance of developing power skills for both leaders and employees
Watch and revise!
Soft Skills vs. Power Skills
The Key to Career Success!
https://www.cloud.worldwideschool.pl/index.php/s/dC3B4nxaGHriQfN
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