The Power of Soft Skills: An Examination of the Soft Skills Evaluation Form

Soft skills are becoming increasingly valued in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven business environment. Unlike technical skills, which are specific and directly related to a job’s core tasks, soft skills refer to a person’s abilities to interact effectively with others. They encompass communication skills, emotional intelligence, adaptability, problem-solving, and team working, among others. Recognizing the growing importance of these skills in professional life, many companies are now implementing soft skills evaluations as a key component of their hiring and employee development processes.

Drawing on our experience, it becomes evident that a structured tool or instrument is needed to quantify these otherwise subjective skills, and this has led to the advent of the “soft skills evaluation form.” This article will delve into the essence of the soft skills evaluation form, its importance, its structure, and how it can be optimally utilized.

The Importance of Soft Skills Evaluation

A study published by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center concluded that 85% of job success comes from having well-developed soft skills and people skills, and only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (Weiss, 1999). Soft skills form the cornerstone of a professional’s ability to communicate, collaborate, and effectively work in teams, manage time, and think critically, each of which significantly contributes to the overall organizational success. Therefore, the evaluation of these skills is not a luxury but a necessity for progressive organizations.

Due to our practical knowledge, we understand that to measure these soft skills, an evaluation form must be structured and standard. This can be a challenge because of the qualitative and often nebulous nature of soft skills. They aren’t as straightforward to quantify as hard skills, which can be measured based on specific outcomes or tests.

Understanding the Soft Skills Evaluation Form

A soft skills evaluation form provides a structured way of assessing an individual’s non-technical skills. This tool allows recruiters, team leaders, or human resources professionals to gauge an individual’s soft skills in a measurable and objective way.

Each soft skill is typically assessed using a set of relevant questions or statements. Respondents are asked to rate themselves (or others, in the case of 360-degree feedback) on a numerical scale, often from 1 (indicating weak performance) to 5 or 7 (indicating strong performance). This Likert scale is a widely recognized tool used in social science research and can be adapted effectively for soft skills assessment.

For example, to evaluate communication skills, the form may include statements like:

• “I effectively articulate my ideas during meetings.”
• “I use clear and concise language in my written communication.”

The form may also contain open-ended questions to probe further into the individual’s capabilities and self-awareness.

Developing a Soft Skills Evaluation Form

Designing a robust soft skills evaluation form requires a clear understanding of the skills relevant to the job role and the company culture. Let’s explore the key steps in developing this valuable tool:

1. Identify Relevant Soft Skills: Begin by identifying the soft skills that are critical to your organization or the specific job role. These may include teamwork, communication, leadership, problem-solving, adaptability, time management, and emotional intelligence, among others.
2. Define Observable Behaviors: For each soft skill, define specific, observable behaviors that indicate the skill’s presence. This can be challenging because of the subjective nature of soft skills, but using behavioral indicators can make assessment more objective. For example, indicators of good communication skills might include “actively listens to others,” “clearly articulates ideas,” and “uses appropriate body language.”
3. Create Evaluation Criteria: Decide on a scale for rating each soft skill. Typically, this is a Likert scale, where 1 might indicate “Rarely” and 5 might indicate “Always.” Make sure the meaning of each point on the scale is clearly defined to ensure consistent interpretations by respondents.
4. Design the Evaluation Form: Create the actual form using your selected soft skills, observable behaviors, and evaluation criteria. The form might include a mix of statement-based ratings, open-ended questions, and maybe even scenario-based questions for a more in-depth evaluation.
5. Test and Refine: Before implementing the form widely, test it with a small group and gather feedback to refine the questions, scales, and structure.

Applying the Soft Skills Evaluation Form

There are many ways to use a soft skills evaluation form. Here are a few examples:

1. Recruitment: During hiring, use the form to assess a candidate’s soft skills. This can provide valuable insight beyond what’s apparent in the resume and can help determine if the candidate is a good fit for the role and the company culture.
2. Performance Reviews: Use the form during performance reviews to assess an employee’s soft skills development over time. This can help identify strengths and areas for improvement, contributing to an individual’s professional growth.
3. Training and Development: Use the form to identify training needs across your team or organization. By understanding where gaps exist, you can tailor your training programs to address these areas and enhance overall team performance.
4. Succession Planning: Use the form to identify high-potential employees who may be suitable for leadership roles. Soft skills like leadership, emotional intelligence, and decision-making are critical for successful leaders.

Challenges in Soft Skills Evaluation

While a soft skills evaluation form is a potent tool, it’s also worth noting the potential challenges that come with evaluating soft skills.

First, the subjective nature of soft skills makes them inherently difficult to measure with precision. People may interpret behaviors differently, and self-assessments may be influenced by an individual’s level of self-awareness and honesty.

Second, cultural differences can also impact how certain soft skills are perceived and valued, posing another challenge for standardized assessment.

Third, while a numerical rating provides a quantifiable measure, it may not fully capture an individual’s abilities in a certain soft skill. This is where the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods—such as combining rating scales with open-ended questions or interviews—can provide a more comprehensive picture.

Conclusion on Soft Skills Evaluation Form

In today’s increasingly collaborative and dynamic workplace, soft skills have emerged as critical determinants of individual and organizational success. The soft skills evaluation form serves as an essential tool in this landscape, enabling the objective assessment of these vital skills and informing valuable decisions around hiring, performance management, and training.

However, it’s crucial to approach this process with a thorough understanding of the inherent challenges, ensuring that your soft skills evaluations are as fair, consistent, and insightful as possible. By doing so, organizations can foster a workforce that not only excels in their technical abilities but also in their capacity to communicate, collaborate, adapt, and lead.

With a robust soft skills evaluation form, organizations have a valuable tool in their arsenal to harness the power of soft skills, contributing significantly to their overall success in the challenging business landscape of the 21st century.