New research reveals that today’s organizations are far more likely to emphasize hard skills training than soft skills training even though most human resources (HR) professionals view soft skills as more important. Fully 86% believe soft skills are more critical than hard skills when it comes to long-term organizational success.
The free research report, Why Organizations Should Invest More in Soft Skills Development, is now available for download. HR.com’s Research Institute partnered with Fierce Conversations, a global leadership development and training company, to investigate how HR professionals and organizations view soft and hard skills.
Not only do the majority of HR executives view soft skills as more critical, just over half believe soft skills training has an equal or higher return on investment when compared with hard skills training. Nonetheless, organizations are more than twice as likely to focus on hard skills training compared to soft skills training.
Additional analysis indicates that many managers are struggling with the soft skill of communication. Only one-third of respondents say their leaders are good or excellent at having productive conversations with their direct reports. Comparisons of companies that excel at communication versus those that don’t indicate effective communicators are also more likely to measure learning ROI and get better results from their managers.
“Organizations often focus on hard skills training because it tends to be easier to do. This research shows that soft skills are crucial, so it may be time for employers to figure out the best ways to effectively hone soft skills in the workplace,” stated Debbie McGrath, Chief Instigator and CEO of HR.com. “Meeting that challenge might well pay dividends for the entire organization.”
Download the full report which includes details on eight key takeaways to help HR departments gain insights into effectively improving your organization’s ability to teach and leverage hard and soft skills.
DOWNLOAD RESEARCH REPORT: https://web.hr.com/qfpg
About Fierce Conversations
Fierce Conversations is a global training company that teaches you how to have effective conversations. Fierce Conversations has trained hundreds of thousands to become expert conversationalists who save their organizations time and money by knowing what to talk about, how to talk about it and why it matters for the bottom line. Fierce Conversations programs have been successfully implemented at blue-chip companies, nonprofits, and educational organizations worldwide, including Capital One, Wal-Mart, CHRISTUS Health, Coca-Cola, CARE, and Verizon. The company has been honored as an Inc. 500|5000 company eight times, named to TrainingIndustry.com’s “Companies to Watch” list twice, and has won numerous awards for top companies to work for in the state of Washington. Learn how to have conversations that matter. Visit fierceinc.com/
About HR.com and the HR Research Institute
HR.com’s HR Research Institute helps HR departments keep their finger on the pulse of HR! HR.com is committed to creating inspired and informed workforces by maximizing the potential of HR professionals around the world. Over 1.88 million HR professionals rely on HR.com as the foremost, trusted industry resource for education, career development, and compliance (that many people can’t be wrong!). Offerings include the largest network of HR executives, leading-edge industry research from the HR Research Institute, 13 monthly HR-themed epublications, innovative HR education including 250+ annual webcasts, the most comprehensive HR certification exam preparation program supporting SHRM and HRCI certification, as well as helpful HR tools and legal compliance updates. HR.com has the largest knowledge base of HR practices globally and offers unparalleled training and networking for HR professionals all over the world… 24/7… 365 (just in case you can’t get enough HR). Visit www.hr.com/featuredresearch to download research (always free) and to maximize HR potential. #hrresearchinstitute
For more information, contact:
Jenna Watson Gudgel
PR Communications Manager, HR.com
jenna@hr.com