8 soft skills every workplace needs – but rarely prioritizes
Why soft skills are essential at work
For the record, I’m not big on calling them “soft” skills. Navigating conflict, asking good questions and staying calm when things go sideways are essential workplace skills. Not extras. They’re the qualities that make someone not just competent, but great to work with.
Hard skills matter — but it’s the human ones that build trust, shape culture and leave a lasting impact. And yet most workplaces treat them like a bonus, not a necessity. That’s a miss. Because these are the skills that hold everything together.
1. Emotional intelligence
Master your feelings and influence outcomes
Emotional intelligence is something everyone should work on — every single day. In all facets of life, but especially at work. It’s about understanding your own emotions so you can manage them. It’s about responding thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively. It’s about knowing yourself, reading others and seeing situations for what they are — not just how they feel in your head.
People with emotional intelligence at work show up differently. They’re the ones who:
Take feedback at face value, not as a personal attack (unless it is one)
Stay calm and level-headed when they’re stressed or confronted
See things through other people’s eyes, even when it’s hard
Own their mistakes without excuses and learn from them
Know when (and how) to disagree — and when to let it go
If you’ve found yourself some emotionally intelligent employees, hold onto them. Better yet, learn from them.
2. Empathy
Build respect one interaction at a time
This one sounds obvious — but in my experience, it’s anything but. The ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes is the foundation of a healthy working relationship. And a lot of people just don’t have it.
Empathy shows up in the small moments, like when you:
Pause before firing off a surly email and consider how it’ll land
Notice when you're steamrolling a meeting and give others space to speak
Take work off someone’s plate because you know they’re overwhelmed
Without empathy, there’s no respect. And without respect, toxicity runs rampant in workplace culture.
3. Communication
Clear the fog for better teamwork
Every day in the workplace, brilliant ideas die on the vine. People try to build positive relationships, but don’t know how. And small misunderstandings spiral into full-blown conflicts — all because team communication breaks down.
Great communication is an art, but even practicing the basics makes a big difference:
Keep it simple. No one’s impressed by jargon or long-winded explanations. You’re a human — talk like one.
Be honest. Professional doesn’t mean sugarcoated. If something’s off, say it. If you’re frustrated, name it.
Know your audience. What do they care about? What’s not relevant? Adjust your message accordingly.
Read the room. Is now the right time? Are they with you, or zoning out? Pay attention to cues.
Check your tone. Aim for assertive, not aggressive. Warm, not wishy-washy.
Listen like you mean it. The best communicators don’t just wait to talk — they truly take in what’s being said.
Yes, it’s a lot. If you’re overwhelmed, start by nixing these corporate clichés from your vocabulary.
4. Collaboration
Turn individuals into a powerhouse
You can’t just throw people in a room and call it collaboration. Because it’s not. Real collaboration is about working toward a shared goal with mutual respect and trust. It means learning from other people, not just tolerating them.
Frankly, there are few great collaborators out there. You’ll see them:
Listen to others — especially when it’s not their area of expertise
Take feedback without spiraling or getting defensive
Find common ground when they don’t agree
Trust teammates to follow through
Focus on the outcome, not who gets credit
Great collaboration turns “me” into “we.” And that’s where real work gets done.
5. Adaptability
Navigate change like a pro
Change is inevitable — so you can ride the wave or tread water. The best people at every level know how to navigate challenges, stay open to new ideas and pivot without losing momentum.
Adaptability shows up in lots of ways:
Keeping up with shifting priorities
Accommodating different work styles and personalities
Learning new tools, programs or processes
Stretching through growth, reorgs or downsizing
Implementing feedback from multiple people
Let’s be clear: No employee should have to tolerate constant fire drills, hostile coworkers or chronic understaffing. But the right people don’t panic at change — they adjust, ask good questions and keep moving. And when change is supported with a smart strategy? Even better. They might actually lean in.
6. Resilience
Rise stronger after every setback
Nobody likes failure, but it happens. Resilience is how you bounce back, learn fast and keep your energy up when things get rough. It’s a mindset that sees setbacks as temporary, not defining.
You’ll spot resilient employees when they:
Double down after falling short of expectations
Talk openly about what failure taught them
Focus on what’s working — even when it’s not much
Apply lessons learned to future challenges
Bring calm energy, quiet confidence and perspective
Resilience isn’t about never falling. It’s about getting back up stronger every time.
7. Anticipation
See the curve before every pitch
This one’s underrated. Anticipation is the ability to read the room, foresee challenges and think a few steps ahead. It’s not about being psychic — it’s about paying attention.
As a writer, I’ve learned how powerful it is to not just apply feedback, but use it to predict how people might respond to future work. But this isn’t just a writing thing. Anticipation is a skill anyone can (and should) develop.
It helps you:
Solve problems before they happen
Prepare teammates for what’s coming
Avoid getting the same feedback on repeat
Build trust by noticing the little things
Continuously level up the quality of your work
Anticipation means showing up one step ahead, ready for whatever’s next.
8. Curiosity
Fuel continuous improvement and growth
Curiosity doesn’t just make you more interesting — it makes you more effective. Curious employees ask better questions, challenge assumptions and keep learning long after the onboarding ends. They don’t wait to be told what to care about. They go find out.
When curiosity is part of workplace culture, things move forward. People grow. Silos crack. And mediocrity has less room to settle in.
Curiosity in action looks like:
Asking “why are we doing it this way?” without being a jerk
Seeking out context before jumping to conclusions
Exploring better tools, methods or ideas, even when no one’s asking
Digging deeper instead of accepting surface-level answers
Staying open to feedback, especially when it stings
This is what drives innovation, trust and better thinking.
Soft skills: the real backbone of a great team
None of these qualities are “nice-to-haves.” They’re the backbone of every effective workplace and every memorable coworker. And yet most organizations barely scratch the surface when it comes to seeking them out or developing them.
If your workplace wants real change, start with soft skill development. Invest in them, and you’ll see the difference — not just in productivity, but in how people show up for each other every day.
