There are skills that are useful in a specific work context, but others are useful for any job. They even apply to the educational or personal sphere. In fact, some people already learn some of them throughout their lives, in experiences related or not to the professional world. We refer to transferable skills.
What are transferable skills?
Transferable skills are those competencies that can be applied in different job roles, sectors or functions. They do not depend on a specific tool or a specific context: they are developed through experience and are activated wherever they are needed.
Here is an example to help you better understand the concept. Imagine that in a company there is a person who has led teams in a design project. He/she has great coordination skills, confidence when making decisions and good communication skills. These skills will help him in other work contexts, such as a product launch in a different sector in which he has never worked before.
They are useful in changing environments that require retraining, as is the case in the AI era. They also help when the company opens promotion processes to fill a higher-ranking position.
What are the transferable skills?
They can be either soft skills(soft or power skills) or power skills) as well as hard skills. These skills are not only learned in the work environment. For example, a person who has studied abroad for two years may be proficient in English. The development of this skill is not related to the professional context, but it is applicable to a job.
6 examples of transferable skills
- Effective communication. Essential in any work environment to convey ideas clearly and adapt the message to the interlocutor.
- Leadership. Guiding teams, making decisions and assuming responsibilities based on respect and empathy.
- Problem solving. Essential for analyzing situations and finding viable solutions.
- Critical thinking. Questioning, interpreting data and making informed decisions. A skill increasingly valued in the context of AI.
- Adaptability. It allows adjusting behaviors and strategies according to the context.
- Collaboration. We refer to the value of working with others through listening, empathy and commitment.
How are transferable skills applied in the work environment?
The transferable skills allow people to move between teams, projects or responsibilities more fluidly. They also help break down silos, improve communication between areas and activate synergies in diverse environments.
Maybe the people on your team have transferable skills, but you’ve noticed them. They may not even know how to apply them to their role or job.
We invite you to evaluate the real talent of your team. Because sometimes what you need is there, you just don’t see it.
