The term ‘soft skills’ is relatively a recent one, but the underlying abilities that these skills encompass have been fundamental to human survival and success for millennia. Understanding the origin of these skills can help us better understand and appreciate their importance in the modern world.
One of the most fundamental soft skills is Communication. The ability to convey information and ideas through language has been crucial for the development of human civilization. Without language, it would have been impossible for our ancestors to cooperate in large groups and to pass on knowledge from one generation to the next.
Another important soft skill is Problem-solving. Throughout human history, our ancestors have faced countless challenges, from finding food and shelter to navigating the complexities of social relationships. In order to survive and thrive, they needed to be able to think critically and find creative solutions to problems.
Leadership is also a key soft skill that has been important throughout human history. In small-scale societies, leaders were typically chosen for their wisdom, strength, and ability to inspire others. In larger societies, leaders were chosen for their ability to govern and to make important decisions.
Emotional intelligence is another soft skill that has been fundamental to human survival and success. The ability to understand and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others has been crucial for building and maintaining social relationship. It is important to note that the concept of soft skills did not evolve in a vacuum, but in response to specific historical and cultural circumstances. The development of these skills is deeply intertwined with the evolution of human society and culture.
Understanding their origin can help us to better appreciate their importance in the modern world, and to recognize the significance of teaching these skills at the school and college level. Today we live in an age dominated by Artificial Intelligence and Digitization, which means, now more
than ever, workplaces around the world are beginning to ‘Hire for Attitude and train for Aptitude’.
