The technical skill shortage, especially among new young workers, is well documented as a problem (and a training industry opportunity). Less well documented is the steadily growing shortage of non-technical skills, especially among new young workers. We’ve been tracking this trend in our research since 1993. Every year, a higher percentage of managers (in organizations of all shapes and sizes in every industry) report that employees—especially new hires with zero to four years’ experience—have insufficient or less-than-desired competency levels in a wide range of non-technical skills. According to our research, the non-technical skills required or desired in employees for whom the largest deficiencies persist fall into four categories:
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Integrity and veracity; positive attitude; good workplace citizenship; rigorous self-evaluation
PROBLEM-SOLVING
Ability to understand and appreciate context; information gathering and analysis; critical thinking; good judgment
TIME MANAGEMENT
Prioritization of competing tasks and responsibilities; planning of intermediate goals; meeting project and task deadlines; being on time, or a little bit early; not taking long breaks; not leaving early, and even staying a little late sometimes
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Active listening (and note-taking); manners, empathy, respect; not badmouthing others; keeping one’s word; keeping confidences; clear, accurate, tactful, descriptive word choice; verbal and written expression (coherent, logical, and professional)
