What are considered "soft skills" in the workplace?

Soft skills refer to a combination of interpersonal and communication abilities that enable individuals to interact effectively and harmoniously with others in the workplace. These skills include qualities such as empathy, teamwork, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving. Soft skills are crucial because they facilitate collaboration among employees and enhance workplace culture, often significantly influencing overall team productivity and effectiveness.

In contrast, the other options focus on technical or analytical proficiencies. Technical skills are specifically related to job functions and often require training and expertise in particular areas. Complex problem-solving and quantitative analysis skills are categorized as hard skills, which involve analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making but do not encompass the interpersonal dynamics essential for successful interaction with colleagues. Hence, understanding and developing soft skills is key to fostering positive workplace relationships and contributing to a cohesive team environment.