Soft Skills vs Hard Skills: What are they?
Hard Skills refer to the knowledge and ability that an individual needs in order to do their job. Hard Skills can range from knowing how to code in C language to being well-versed in how to argue in a courtroom. In the social sector, more specifically, hard skills may mean the ability to conduct research in the field, fundraise, design and implement projects, create curricula, or even undertake marketing for an NGO and their cause.
Soft Skills, on the other hand, are the interpersonal skills that people need in order to do well in their jobs. This can mean having the ability to work well in teams, manage time, and multitask. While soft skills are a necessity if one wants to do well in any field, they are especially important for Social Work.
Much of the work that is done in the social sector involves multiple stakeholders, all of whom might have different interests. In scenarios such as these, it is imperative to have the right kind of interpersonal skills in order to reach a positive resolution.
Here prentisscountyvotech.com are some of the soft skills that are necessary for Development Management and Leadership Professionals:
Critical Thinking
The nature of the social sector is such that it is difficult for anyone to approach only a single issue at one time. Many issues that the sector engages with are interrelated and tend to amplify each other. Trying to increase attendance rates at schools, for instance, can mean having to provide food during lunchtime. Understanding the interrelated nature of these issues and thinking of solutions that can address these problems requires Critical Thinking.
Critical Thinking is the ability to look at a problem from multiple perspectives using the data, evidence, and accounts that are available in order to arrive at a solution that covers different aspects of the issue. In the social sector, Critical Thinking can give development professionals the ability to analyse the situation from a neutral viewpoint before making hasty conclusions. It’s an essential skill for working in an NGO or in the development space.
Networking with stakeholders and partners
While networking might seem like an off-shoot of communication, it is important in its own right. There are many reasons why this is the case. The first is that it opens up avenues for knowledge exchange. Many people in the social sector work on similar problems in areas that are geographically distant. Networking and being open to making these connections can allow people to share their ideas with each other and even arrive at conclusions that may be mutually beneficial
Networking with stakeholders, on the other hand, can allow development professionals to understand the problems they might be working on in a more holistic manner. Stakeholders often have varied perspectives and understanding of solutions when viewing the same issues. Considering all these aspects before they start working on the problem will help the development professional to arrive at a more complete solution. Networking with stakeholders can also help ensure participation of the desired stakeholders leading towards robust implementation of projects.