In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, fostering a high-performing work environment is a constant challenge. Leaders who aim to achieve this goal without compromising the workplace and employees’ well-being face an even tougher task. At KindWorks.AI, we know that this win-win goal is possible and simpler than people may think. In “Kindness and the Power Skill Era: Understanding the Importance of Human Connection in the Age of AI,” we show what it takes for people and businesses to be successful and healthy. The paper goes beyond the traditional ‘soft skills’ and ‘hard skill’s discussion to introduce the concept of ‘Power Skills,’ the cornerstone for building business success.
Very commonly discussed in business environments, the term ‘soft skills’ was first introduced in U.S. Army training courses in the early 1970s to distinguish interpersonal skills from technical skills. In the practical corporation realm, ‘soft skills’ refer to abilities required to manage people, such as communication, conflict resolution, and time management. Conversely, ‘hard skills’ pertain to the abilities needed to manage machinery, including accounting, coding, and finance.
For today’s leaders, it’s not rocket – or army – science that a team talented in accounting (hard skills) and strong in communication (soft skills) is more likely to excel than a competitor who lacks these skills. If it’s so intuitive that these skills are the means to thrive, why is it so difficult for some teams to grow and prosper? It’s because the Soft and Hard Skills debate is just the tip of the iceberg.
Power Skills: preparing the soil for success
Taking a moment to reflect, it’s unmistakable that disengaged and unconnected teams wouldn’t be willing to learn or apply new learnings at the workplace. Therefore, to get to a point where Soft and Hard Skills can make a real difference in business results, the soil needs to be prepared.
What numerous studies – and our research at KindWorks.AI – have shown is that the best fertilizers are the fundamental human skills, such as Kindness, empathy, and compassion. This set of fundamental human skills is what is called ‘Power Skills.’ In essence, ‘Power Skills’ are the foundational elements that empower individuals to cultivate and use hard and soft skills. Kindness, a prominent actor among the ‘Power Skills,’ for instance, is shown to provide the motivation for individuals to acquire and enhance their hard and soft skills.
Read also:Can Kindness Be the Key to a Happier and More Productive Workplace?
Interestingly enough, this new era of remote and hybrid work makes the ‘Power Skills’ even more critical as human connections tend to suffer with the lost quick coffee breaks with your coworkers. In short, it is increasingly crucial now for companies to foster cultures and environments that empower people’s connection and engagement. As ‘Power Skills,’ such as Kindness, empower individuals to connect and engage as a team, it becomes clear and intuitive how they drive business performance. Especially now, in the remote or hybrid work era where face-to-face interactions are limited, the role of ‘Power Skills’ in fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration becomes even more pronounced. It also becomes clear that the price of overlooking the importance of these skills at work will, sooner than some may think, harm business results and people’s well-being at the same time.
Embracing Kindness, empathy, and compassion in the workplace is not just a trend, but a powerful strategy to foster a positive environment and propel organizations toward sustainable success. At KindWorks.AI, we are committed to helping businesses unlock the power of Kindness and human connection, recognizing that these are the true drivers of long-term prosperity. By prioritizing ‘Power Skills,’ you can inspire your team, boost morale, and create a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Want to know more? Book a demo and see in real life how Kindness can be the key to revolutionizing your workplace.