Social-emotional skills: why are they important?

When looking for a good position in the job market, there is a lot of talk about qualifications and technical skills. But, in addition to these aspects, it is also necessary to take into account the candidate's socio-emotional skills.

What are socio-emotional skills?

Socioemotional skills – or competencies – are the characteristics that an individual must develop in order to evolve as a human being and, consequently, improve their interpersonal relationships. These skills are also essential for a greater understanding of the emotions that the individual feels and how they see the world.

These skills play many roles in our lives: dealing with our own feelings and emotions, managing our life projects and goals, and relating to people. The development of these skills is directly linked to the individual's level of emotional intelligence, influencing several factors, such as mental health and social interaction.

Hard skills and soft skills

You've probably heard the terms hard skills and soft skills, right? If you haven't, know that this is a very common term in interviews and selection processes in many areas of activity, and it illustrates the difference between technical skills and socio-emotional skills.

Soft skills are abilities that contribute to building interpersonal relationships and, despite not being a technical skill, they are widely used in the most varied types of functions, positions and companies in the most diverse segments.

Hard skills involve more technical, practical knowledge that can be developed through courses, lectures, reading books, etc. Both types of skills, when well aligned, will increasingly boost your professional career.

Examples of Soft Skills

leadership ability;
emotional intelligence;
ability to persuade.

Examples of Hard Skills:

undergraduate course;
fluency in another language;
master's degree or specialization.

The importance of socio-emotional skills in your professional career

The trend is that, in the future, the development of these aspects will be an increasingly important requirement when it comes to getting a good job in the job market. Companies are increasingly understanding that the training of a successful professional goes far beyond the technical skills and competencies present on the resume.

These socio-emotional skills – which are not necessarily learned in a classroom – when well developed, tend to result in a professional with more:

planning and organization;
better management of time and demands;
a great interpersonal relationship;
good teamwork;
more effective decision making and problem solving.

How to develop socio-emotional skills

Unlike so-called hard skills, socio-emotional skills cannot be learned through a course or specialization, for example. Because they involve behavioral issues, the process of developing these skills is a little more complex, requiring a little more time and focus.

A great first step to developing these skills is self-awareness. Through this, you will be able to begin to realize which aspects and points need to be improved so that you can evolve as a person and as a professional.

Another very common tip that can help you find and develop these points is: go to therapy. These sessions will help you discover new aspects about yourself through a new perspective. This tends to make you grow more and more.

What are the main socio-emotional skills?

Socio-emotional skills can be comprised of a series of competencies that, when properly stimulated and improved over the years, tend to provide an excellent framework for developing healthier relationships, whether personal or professional. To make things easier, we have separated some of the main socio-emotional skills. They are:

Patience

This is perhaps one of the most important aspects for achieving professional development, since, through patience, you will be able to optimize your interpersonal relationships, facilitating learning and providing increasingly better social interaction.

Trust

Having confidence is nothing more than always believing in your own ability to achieve all your personal goals and objectives, always overcoming obstacles to get there! Therefore, this is a very strong characteristic, and one that should always be encouraged, as it is a key factor for your success in all areas of your life.

Creativity

Another indispensable aspect in most professions, creativity is also essential for the development of more dynamic and productive relationships. Therefore, it is a socio-emotional skill that deserves to be highlighted.

Empathy

One of the main aspects of socio-emotional skills, empathy consists of the individual's ability to put themselves in someone else's shoes and see a point of view that, in most cases, may be very different from their own reality. By acting with empathy, you can avoid some problems and even potential conflicts.

Self-esteem

It is through your self-esteem that you will discover your true value. Furthermore, it is a very important tool for you to achieve the motivation necessary to deal with everyday situations in the best possible way.

Self-knowledge

To deal with other people in a correct and productive way, knowing yourself better is essential. This self-knowledge will give you the balance you need to react to certain situations in the best possible way, always maintaining focus.

Conclusion

Did you understand a little more about the importance these skills can have on your career? Socio-emotional skills are essential for human development and should always be treated as a priority.

The benefits brought by developing these skills are major differentials that can make a difference in the way you lead your life – whether in your personal or professional life.