Hard Skills vs Soft Skills (Core Skills): What’s the Difference?

It’s a hot topic in the workplace these days, hard skills vs soft skills. So what are they, what’s the difference, and why are they important? 

This article distinguishes between hard and soft skills, explores industry examples, and encourages training to support an organization that values both. It also looks into how repositioning soft skills as core skills can help highlight the often-overlooked role that these skills play in the workplace.

It’s not enough to have just one or the other; you need both to show your character and your competence.

What are hard skills?

Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities often gained through formal education or hands-on training. These measurable abilities are directly linked to job performance and are essential for executing specific tasks in the workplace. They are typically technical and quantifiable, providing clear guidelines for proficiency.

What are some examples of hard skills?

A great example of a hard skill in the healthcare industry is clinical coding. This skill is highly specific and technical—it involves using standardized codes to document and categorize medical diagnoses, procedures, and services. 

Healthcare professionals rely on this hard skill to ensure accurate patient records and proper billing, directly impacting payment processes and compliance with healthcare regulations.

Other hard skills include:

• Proficiency in software tools like Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop, or CRM systems
• Technical skills such as coding in languages like Python, Java, or HTML
• Data analysis with knowledge of statistical software like SPSS or Tableau

What are soft, or core, skills?

Core skills (formerly known as soft skills) refer to interpersonal qualities and personal management skills that influence how individuals interact within the workplace. Unlike hard skills, soft skills are not easily measurable but are vital for creating a successful workplace environment. They focus on communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. 

Time and time again, these core capabilities sit at the top of the skills prioritized by employers and workplaces. In fact, a 2024 survey by LinkedIn found that communication is the number one skill employers look for—with teamwork and problem-solving also making the cut. In the same survey, 9 out of 10 employers said that core skills are more important than ever as AI takes a bigger role in our everyday professional (and personal!) lives.

What are some examples of soft skills?

Continuing within the healthcare industry, active listening is an example of a key soft skill. It involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what a patient shares. 

Active listening allows healthcare providers to ensure they accurately assess patients’ needs, address concerns effectively, and make patients feel valued and understood, ultimately improving care outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Other soft skills include:

• Effective communication: The ability to clearly convey information to individuals or groups
• Adaptability: Remaining flexible and adjusting to changes in the work environment
• Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with others to achieve common goals

Soft skills directly impact corporate culture, which affects the success of a business. Soft skills create satisfied employees, customers who trust your organization, and clients who continue to come back.

Historically, hard skills have been valued more due to their measurable impact on job functions, while soft skills were often overlooked as “nice-to-haves.” However, it’s time to rethink soft skills as core skills in today’s professional landscape.

Rethinking soft skills as core skills 

Rethinking soft skills as core skills means recognizing their essential role in professional success. While technical skills are important, the ability to communicate effectively, adapt to challenges, and collaborate with diverse teams is just as critical. 

When companies actively develop soft skills, they equip employees with the ability to navigate challenges, lead with empathy, and drive long-term success.

Many management mistakes are made by omitting soft skills from training and corporate culture in the workplace. By prioritizing the development of these skills, organizations can create stronger leaders, improve teamwork, and enhance overall productivity.

For example, project management skills go beyond scheduling and budgeting—they require conflict resolution, active listening, and leadership. A project may fail not because of poor planning but due to miscommunication or lack of team engagement. 

Develop hard skills and core soft skills with Comprehensive Learning Solutions

To be successful in today’s marketplace, an organization and its employees must be equipped with a healthy balance of hard skills and core skills. Just as the employees support the organization, the organization must support the employees.

An upskilling study by Amazon proved that the vast majority of employees today are motivated to learn new skills and grow their careers. Not only that, they even suggest they would leave a company for a more supportive employer, further proving the importance of core soft skills and custom training programs. 

At Comprehensive Learning Solutions, we provide holistic on-the-job training programs that support both hard skills and core soft skills, such as effective communication, cross-cultural understanding, and more. Proactive organizations can increase retention and even boost revenue by investing in the career success, organizational culture, and core skills that the ideal employee needs. 

Contact us today to begin your hard and core skills training program.