What Is the Definition
Non-technical skills refer to the cognitive, social, and interpersonal skills that make it possible to conduct a task efficiently.
What Are Examples of Non-Technical Skills?
Some examples of non-technical skills include:
- Adaptability
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Patience
- Time management
- Communication
- Listening
- Sense of responsibility
- Self-confidence
- Professionalism
- Open mindedness
What Are the Various Types of Non-Technical Skills?
Non-technical skills include three different categories:
- Cognitive skills such as problem resolution, critical thinking, or analytic capacity
- Interpersonal skills such as communication, openness of mind, or cooperation
- Emotional or social skills such as stress and anger management
How to Develop Non-Technical Skills?
A person can develop their non-technical skills in several ways, such as:
- Being open to feedback
- Engaging in introspection to identify one’s strengths and weaknesses
- Adopting open and transparent communication
- Working more frequently as part of a team
- Leaving one’s comfort zone
- Observing one’s peers
- Adapting one’s own language based on who is listening
- Working with a mentor
- Taking training courses
How to Evaluate Required Non-Technical Skills?
An employee’s non-technical skills can be assessed using questions and setting up scenarios such as:
- Asking an employee to describe a situation where they must make a decision that goes against their personal inclinations
- Asking to collaborate with colleagues on a project
- Asking to find a solution to a complex problem
- Asking an employee to fix a mistake
- Asking an employee to manage a complex situation with a client
During recruitment, an employer may also conduct tests to assess candidates’ non-technical skills.
What Is the Difference Between Non-Technical and Behavioral Skills?
Non-technical skills and behavioral skills are synonymous. They are also sometimes called soft skills.
They describe the skills that can be useful to an employee to be effective and efficient at work.
What Is the Difference Between Non-Technical and Technical Skills?
Non-technical skills are developed and continually improvable, are based on an employee’s experience and personality, vary over time, and generally apply to any type of job.
Technical skills (hard skills) are acquired through training and are specific to a job or role.
