Leading toward new horizons with soft skills
ISSN: 1074-8121
Article publication date: 6 November 2018
Issue publication date: 26 November 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to highlight the importance of soft skills for leadership and offers recommendations for soft skill development training for the next generation of leaders.
Design/methodology/approach
An integrated review of current research literature was conducted on management, leadership and soft skills to develop recommendations for integrating the development of soft skills in leadership development training protocol.
Findings
A one-size-fits-all approach does not work for soft skills development or measurement. Each soft skill is defined differently and should be assessed based on different behavioral actions. Progress in this area of measurement development will make a great impact on the use of soft skills. The development of assessment tools for the different soft skills across professional disciplines is assumed to enhance other aspects of transformational leadership such as coaching and mentoring.
Research limitations/implications
Current strategies for the assessment and measurement of soft skills present an obstacle for including these skills in current leadership training models.
Practical implications
The paper includes implications for the development of soft skills for the next generation of leaders and offers recommendations for integrating the development of soft skills in leadership training programs.
Originality/value
This paper fulfills an identified need to study how soft skills can be measured and assessed. This is important given that specific skills vary across professional disciplines and organizational contexts.
Keywords
Citation
AbuJbara, N.K. and Worley, J.A. (2018), "Leading toward new horizons with soft skills", On the Horizon, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 247-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/OTH-10-2017-0085
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited