Anyone can learn how to do a task, but not everyone can master it. Some people argue that to succeed in an industry you have to be gifted, but the truth is you just have to be skillful; this means taking the time to dedicate and immerse yourself into your particular area of interest, and with enough dedication, practice, and experience overtime you become skillful. Success is not all based on ability as skill is simply a mastery of something developed over time which amounts to your ability to perform it well.
The real problem is that these skills should not be limited to a specific industry. People should have the skills of confidence, communication, patience, and respectfulness in all industries. Some individuals limit their beliefs to their careers but shouldn’t. Just because you study cooking does not mean that you shouldn’t be a good communicator. There are skills that apply to every industry and aspect of life, and these skills can all fit into two categories: hard and soft skills.
There are abilities that an individual can be taught that may be specific to a job or industry which can be learned through training, education, and experience. These are referred to as hard skills, and there are skills that an individual learns through life that impact how they interact with others and approach their work which are known as soft skills. Together they create a well-rounded person who can thrive in various work environments. Although these skills are very different, they both hold equal importance in the workplace as hard skills are essential for job competence, meeting qualifications, and advancing careers. Soft skills on the other hand enable effective teamwork, leadership, and manager and employee relations. Balancing both is crucial for productivity, employability, and problem-solving. Employers look for candidates who combine technical expertise with strong interpersonal abilities to perform exceptionally in dynamic work environments.
It’s one thing to know what these skills are, but another is to develop them. It is important to know what to do during education and employment. “The hard and soft skills that are most in demand for employers are communication, collaboration, accepting feedback, and commitment,” said Maria Correa Rodriguez, a college counselor at The Village School.
Hard skills can be developed by first identifying what the area of focus is. Then identify the specific thing you want to teach whether it’s neuropsychology, history for high school students, web design, or Python coding. The second step is to learn the basics, starting with fundamental knowledge: read books and take courses to understand the core principles. The third skill is practice which requires you to constantly set aside time every day to work on your skills. For example, if you are learning a programming language, make it a goal to write code every day to build up your proficiency. Fourth, apply your knowledge and implement what you are learning through tasks in your day-to-day, even if it is freelance work projects. Real-world applications will reinforce your skills and help you understand how to solve problems efficiently. Fifth is to seek feedback: make sure to share your work with friends, family, peers, mentors, and teachers to get some constructive feedback. This will help you tremendously to see the areas of improvement that you didn’t see before. Lastly, reflect: always look back at your progress, assess your mistakes, track what you’ve learned, and push yourself to get better. Keep practicing and refining your abilities, and, over time, you will have developed a mastery over your subject in technicality.
Hard skills can take you far, but your role in the industry will only progress as far as your proficiency with those skills allows. To really make a difference and leave the industry better than you found it, developing soft skills is essential. “ As a business owner, I find that both hard and soft skills are essential, but the most valuable employees are those who approach their work with passion, an open mind, and a firm commitment to growth,” said Pepe Monarrez, managing director of Page and Architectural and Engineering Firm. “Technical skills like problem-solving and industry expertise are important, but what truly sets individuals apart is their ability to connect across cultures, adapt to different perspectives, and collaborate with diverse teams. Passion fuels innovation, resilience, and a willingness to go beyond expectations, qualities that are invaluable in any business.’’ Soft skills are more unique and most sought after by anyone who is trying to hire you for anything from a business owner to a college admissions board.
“For me, the hardest skill to develop has been working on Excel and registering the financial operations of my businesses.” Said Rafael Sampaio, a student of The Village School Entrepreneurship Program. “ On the other hand, the most difficult soft skill to
“Learn” is definitely approaching clients and persuading them to buy my products or services.’’ As a student in the entrepreneurship class, Sampaio has seen firsthand the effect soft skills have on an industry, like selling products. You can make very good products, but people will not buy them unless the seller has a good pitch to convince them to. This seems like a natural talent, but the reality is this can be learned.
How an individual develops these skills is identifying the soft skills you want to improve like communication, teamwork, or problem-solving. A common mistake is trying to learn them all at once because most soft skills tend to align perfectly with many personal and professional goals, but this process must be taken step by step. The next step would be to learn from others. Observe how others succeed in soft skills. Watch videos, read books, or attend workshops on topics like emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, or time management. Third: actively practice. Soft skills require real-world practice and engaging in conversations, volunteering for leadership roles, collaborating with others, or working in diverse team settings develops empathy, communication, and collaboration.
Be Patient and Consistent: Developing soft skills takes time. Consistently practicing these skills and being patient with yourself as you grow will lead to long-term improvement.
Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback from friends, colleagues, or mentors on how you handle situations like team projects, decision-making, or stress. This can help you pinpoint areas for growth. Reflect on Your Experiences: Take time to reflect on your interactions and how you handled various situations. Village School College Counselor Maria Correa Rodriguez gave an example of resources that can help students and young entrepreneurs get feedback on their soft skills. “Associations like Taste Masters which specialize in communication for professionals and career resource centers record a mock interview of a student speaking, show the student the film, and analyze their body language, posture, vocality, and connectivity and fix what is wrong. They don’t have to be people that are studying that [field] particularly, but they can join that group to help polish skills. It is always critical to get feedback to center yourself and be well-versed in your bad and good areas to improve them bit by bit. This leads to the next point: Self-reflection, which will help you recognize strengths and weaknesses and adjust your approach moving forward. Lastly, Stay open-minded and Adaptable: Soft skills often involve adapting to different environments and people. Be open to learning from each experience and willing to adjust your behavior for better outcomes.
Now that both skills’ importance and how to practice them both have been stressed, it is important to note that a balance is required between these two skills. “I guide students in developing a balance between hard and soft skills as a college counselor by showing them that there are several courses they can take to help them with an expression of body language when composing data.,” said Correa. One thing we see is that students are not very savvy in composing emails, how to talk to people, or how to determine formal communication versus informal, like how to talk to teachers versus peers in an appropriate way, to use terms, use voice levels, and body language,’’ Correa emphasized soft skills over hard skills due to the fact that many students get wrapped up in the whole school system and only focus on getting a 100% score on a test, or the highest grade, only studying, getting awards, and doing extra credit. They forget to socialize, have fun, and actually greet their teachers and have conversations. These interactions can mean the difference between ME(Meeting Expectations) and EE(Exceeding Expectations); being in the class is one thing, but being a part of the class is another. Life is not measured in numbers, it is measured in moments and experiences. That is what people remember: the moments you share, the things you say, and not the grades you get. Pressures of society will try to reduce you to just being a student, but, in reality, you must strive to be a person in the eyes of employers, friends, co-workers, professors, and anyone in life.
Finding balance is one of the most important keys to being successful in life, same goes for hard and soft skills. With a good balance, you will be a well-rounded person in all industries and instances of life. The first step is to recognize that they are both equally important. Hard skills (technical abilities) help you perform tasks, while soft skills (like communication and teamwork) enhance how you work with others. Focus on developing both by integrating them into real-world situations. Set goals for each skill, practice them together, and seek feedback regularly. Be adaptable, as different situations may require a different emphasis on one or the other. Consistently improving both hard and soft skills will make you more versatile and effective in your personal and professional life.
The students of The Village School don’t realize it, but the school will push them to use their soft skills as much as hard skills to prepare them for life, so it is best to keep an open mind and learn both to be prepared for anything in life. These skills far outdo merit and have nothing to do with ability, but have more to do with your preparation, background, dedication, and mastery of self through the right mentality. Mastering both hard and soft skills is a continuous journey, but the balance between them is what truly sets you apart. Keep learning, stay adaptable, and embrace every opportunity to grow because, with the right skills, you’re ready to succeed in any challenge life throws your way.
