Soft Skills Let’s Re-Name….Life Coaching Activities

Phyllis Reardon M.Ed
Life Coach

It never fails to amaze me when the term ‘Soft skills” is used to describe the following skills, abilities, intelligences:

Communication Skills


Critical Thinking


People Skills


Problem Solving


Social Skill


Team Work

The focus or task of professional/personal training is the development, enhancement and maintenance of each of these skills.

I have often thought, when I hear the phrase ‘soft skill’ that it must have been invented by someone who worked alone on a big piece of rock or stone.

If you have ever gone into a job interview, had to give a verbal presentation, or make a sale you need to call on several of the above listed skills. Did you know that the most feared event in the world is public speaking? What’s soft about that?

Our world leaders, our doctors, and emergency personnel are faced daily with the ‘soft skills’ of critical thinking and problem solving…it can be a matter of life and death.



Is there somewhere we can lobby to have this term changed?

I would recommend that these skills, abilities and intelligences be referred to as Professional/Personal Skills.
They are needed in all aspects of our lives. Think about it.

You met new friends….you listen to what they say…you respond…you Communicate verbally or in written form.

You have a job interview…you need to be able to communicate about yourself.

A problem arises at home or at work…you must employ your Critical thinking abilities, skills. Your thought process, your skills are necessary to solve the problem…if not solved correctly the results could be disastrous. What is soft about that skill?


People Skills…haven’t we all worked with someone who was ‘difficult to work with,' he/she were said to not have ‘people skills’…. There was certainly nothing soft about having to deal with that person each day.

Social skills are needed both in our personal and professional lives. They too have to be developed. There is a balance that needs to be acquired or you are on the outside looking in….nothing soft about that either.

I believe that more and more the need to develop these skills is being recognized in the work place. They are the essence of the human being. They are the construct of the personality. Without these 'soft skills' we are unable to function in our work places and communities. They indeed define us as a culture. Again I have to ask, what’s soft about that?

These are the foundation of our daily lives. Foundations are strong, secure and hard. Let’s get over the term Soft Skills and replace it with Professional/Personal Skills.

Thanks for listening to my Rant, it is someting I'm passionate about. Is that a soft skill?

Next Blog...Professional/Personal Skills in the workplace.

Have a great day. Think about your Professional and Persoanl skills.

Any questions email me phyllis@coachphyllis.com