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Hard Skills Impress; Soft Skills Persuade

By Hoai Huong Tran

The debate over the importance of soft and hard skills continues to spark discussion. In her article Talking About Soft Skills Will Make You Forgettable, Discussing Hard Skills Will Get You Hired,” Pamela Skillings, Co-founder of Big Interview, argues that emphasizing hard skills during job interviews is more impactful than focusing on soft skills. While she acknowledges the value of soft skills, Skillings contends that “candidates who present concrete examples of how they used hard skills to address real challenges create stories that truly stick. Statistics and outcomes lead to unforgettable narratives because they are factual and impactful.”

There is no doubt that measurable abilities — such as proficiency in software, data analysis or engineering — create tangible, outcome-driven narratives that resonate with hiring managers. Candidates showcasing their technical expertise with concrete examples and quantifiable results will likely stand out in a competitive job market. However, even the most technically skilled candidates may fail to leave a lasting impression if they cannot communicate their expertise effectively.

Soft skills, including communication, leadership, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, are often the foundation for successfully applying hard skills. For instance, a data scientist with exceptional analytical capabilities might see their impact diminished if they cannot convey their insights to stakeholders. Ultimately, the synergy between hard and soft skills enables candidates to excel and leave a lasting impression.

A Lesson in Communication — a Primary “Soft Skill”

In college, I took calculus with an assistant professor who had earned his Ph.D. from MIT. Walking into the classroom, my expectations were low. My experience with the previous calculus professor, who struggled to communicate effectively, left me disillusioned. Taking the next course was mandatory, so I entered the classroom with a biased perception and resigned expectations. “A math professor from MIT is bound to be even worse,” I thought.

To my surprise, this young professor turned out to be a virtuoso. He avoided technical jargon, instead providing explanations that were clear and easy to understand. His examples brought differentiation to life in a way that finally made sense. Like Mozart composing a symphony, he made calculus approachable and genuinely enjoyable.

I never fully appreciated the effort it must have taken for my calculus professor to make differentiation accessible to a group of non-engineering students fulfilling a requirement — at least, not until years later when I faced my own challenge: explaining the concept of social stratification to my students.

Bridging the Gap: Teaching Social Stratification

Social stratification, a core concept in sociology, refers to “a society’s categorization of its people into groups based on socioeconomic factors, like wealth, income, race, education, ethnicity, gender, occupation, social status, or derived power (social and political).” Though seemingly straightforward and intuitive, my students consistently struggled to grasp the concept and its broader implications.

For four semesters, I worked to communicate how social stratification fosters group inequalities. I employed diverse examples, crafted visuals and used analogies, each in an attempt to bring the idea to life and spark that elusive “aha” moment in their eyes — the kind I had experienced during my calculus class. But no matter how hard I tried, social stratification remained abstract and out of reach, frustrating my students and me.

In a moment of desperation, I decided to take a radically new approach. I went to Toys “R” Us, bought several Monopoly games, and transformed the classroom into an interactive simulation. I divided students into groups and assigned resources to each person based on their “assigned” ethnicity. This activity allowed them to experience firsthand how access to resources — or the lack thereof — impacts social mobility.

The simulation succeeded where my explanations had fallen short. Students saw how those at the top of the hierarchy accrued cumulative advantages over time, while those at the bottom struggled to advance. The rich grew richer because they had access to resources, while the poor fell further behind. What had once been an abstract concept became tangible, relatable and deeply impactful.

The lesson moved from theory to practice, leaving an impression that was not only memorable but transformative. Through this exercise, my students finally grasped the concept of social stratification and the systemic inequalities it perpetuates within a society.

The Power of Communication

Simon Sinek, the renowned author of Start with Why, Leaders Eat Last, and The Infinite Game, has challenged using “soft” to describe the skills essential for effective leadership and collaboration. Instead, he advocates for the term “human skills.” Sinek explains, “Hard and soft are opposite, and I would hate to think that soft skills and hard skills are working against each other.” Sinek calls for a shift in language that underscores the critical value of these abilities.

Indeed, there’s nothing “soft” about communication skills. Mastering them requires perseverance, intentional effort and a commitment to growth. It took me four semesters — two years — to effectively convey the concept of social stratification to my students. This journey entailed two years of actively listening to their feedback, which often revealed confusion or misunderstanding; two years of researching and experimenting with diverse teaching methods; and two years of refining my approach to communicating in a way that would truly resonate with them.

Communication isn’t merely about speaking — it’s about persistence, adaptability and the relentless pursuit of clarity.

A “Both/And” Approach

The debate of “soft skills” versus “hard skills” should not be framed as an “either/or,” but as a “both/and.” Soft skills complement hard skills by adding depth and humanity, transforming technical expertise into a compelling, relatable narrative. Combined, they create a well-rounded and effective professional, capable of excelling in technical proficiency, leadership, collaboration, and adaptability.

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Hoai Huong Tran

Hoai Huong Tran, a sociologist by nature, is deeply committed to understanding the world around her. Her multicultural background, originating from Vietnam and raised in America, has shaped her and ignited a profound curiosity about the intricacies of human interaction and experience. She is dedicated to exploring, understanding, and articulating the complexities of the world with depth and insight.

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