The market is constantly changing, especially at the technological level. This requires the development of new skills in the teams in order not to be left behind and to build a solid company. In this context, the concept of power skills was born.
What are power skills?
Power skills, also known as soft skills or transversal competencies, encompass a set of interpersonal, emotional and cognitive competencies that enable people to communicate, lead, adapt and solve problems effectively. They complement technical skills(hard skills).
These skills are considered key to professional success because they are not industry- or job-specific. Moreover, power skills have a direct impact on productivity, well-being and the work environment. This is why more and more companies value them at the same level, or even higher, than technical knowledge.
Characteristics of power skills:
Power skills have three major advantages:
- They are transferable: they can be applied in any sector or function.
- They are trainable: they can be improved with training and practice.
- They are essential: they make a difference in collaborative environments.
Get to know some of the most demanded power skills
- Effective communication: convey ideas clearly, both in person and in writing.
- Critical thinking: analyzing information and making informed decisions.
- Leadership: guiding, motivating and coordinating work teams.
- Adaptability: respond with agility to changes and challenges.
- Conflict resolution: managing disagreements constructively.
- Time management: organize tasks to be more productive.
- Emotional intelligence: recognizing and regulating one’s own emotions and understanding those of others.
Why are power skills important?
Because they allow you to build strong relationships, manage change and provide solutions beyond technical knowledge. Developing these skills increases employability, improves team performance and facilitates access to new professional challenges.
Companies are no longer only looking for profiles that are experts in tools, but people capable of leading, connecting and adapting.
Power skills vs. soft skills: how do they differ?
They are often used as synonyms. The reason? Power skills are an evolution of soft skills. The difference between the two concepts is not in the type of skills, but in how they are understood: talk of power skills emphasizes their impact and importance in the work environment.
More than complementary skills, these are key competencies to perform effectively, adapt to change and advance solidly in any career.
At The Wise Skill we turn skills into data. We jointly evaluate the hard skills and power skills of your organization and detect real gaps in minutes.Do you want to see a free demo?
