** This paper is submitted by Dr. Richa Tewari, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Professional Communication, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur – India.

Abstract

Ever-increasing global competition and the varying nature of most technical professions have made soft skills more than simply a prerequisite. To employers, technical professionals must not only master their technical disciplines, but also chip in as full participants in accomplishing the mission of the organization. In this paper, the ultimate significance of soft skills for technical professionals in the LPG (liberalization, privatization and globalization) era has been elicited. Remedial approaches to training as well as polishing soft skills have also been the focal point of the paper.

In many technical professions, the sheer focus of education and training is on technical topics related to a career or discipline. Students are generally engrossed to master various mathematics skills, science skills and technical skills directly related to the specific disciplines they are planning to enter. Though this learning is essential to their success yet the fast-paced and global marketplace of today is demanding more.

Technical professionals in various disciplines such as information technology, engineering, architecture, and research and development are required to broaden their hard skills to enslave soft skills. “Soft skills” is a sociological term relating to a person’s “EQ” (Emotional Intelligence Quotient), the cluster of personality traits, social graces, communication, language, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that characterize relationships with other people. Soft skills complement hard skills, which are the occupational requirements of a job and many other activities.” (Wikipedia)

Basic interpersonal skills such as self-awareness, social awareness, relationship management, conflict management, diversity management, leadership and teamwork, empowering others, emotional intelligence, negotiation skills, change management and team problem solving are outstanding complements to soft skills. The more soft skills training can be incorporated directly into technical training programs, the more successful technical professionals will be in the increasingly challenging LPG era. (more…)