It's no surprise to us that in this rapidly changing and interconnected business landscape, soft skills have taken center stage as essential differentiators for success. However, even with soft skills being the "talk of the town," many organizations and leaders still have yet to embrace these power skills, skills like emotional intelligence, communication, influential leadership, and more.
But why? Why should I spend time, money and energy on the soft skills that people "should just know!?" says a number of executives out there.
Well the reality is soft skills are not so soft! In fact, the learning and activation takes time and more practice then some technical skills. But the ROI is invaluable and something every CEO, CFO and executive out there should consider.
By fostering strong interpersonal connections, enhancing collaboration, and driving effective decision-making, emotional intelligence brings about a competitive advantage that translates into tangible returns on investment (ROI).
So here are the top statistics on the The Soft Skill Advantage and How Emotional Intelligence Impacts ROI
Companies that invest in employee soft skills training can see a return on investment of up to 8 times the initial investment. The Harvard Business Review
Research involving over 20,000 professionals and found that EQ was a stronger predictor of success compared to IQ or technical skills for leadership roles. The Hay Group
95% of people think they’re self-aware, but only 10 to 15% actually are. Business Harvard Review.
Research conducted with Fortune 500 CEOs, found that 75% of long-term job success depends on people skills, while only 25% on technical knowledge.
Demands for emotional intelligence skills across all industries are expected to grow by 26% in the US and 22% in Europe by 2030.
By 2024, Demand for emotional intelligence skills soars 6x in response to the rise of AI and automation
Fifty percent of employees quit due to a bad manager, emotional intelligence training can reduce employee turnover = financial gain.
Emotional intelligence in executives has also been linked to higher profit-earning companies.
One study found productivity increased a whopping 40% when HR implemented EIC (emotional intelligence programs).
Managers’ behaviors account for up to 70% of variance in engagement, ⅔’s of Americans are disengaged in their job.
In the pursuit of long-term success, organizations must recognize the indispensable role of emotional intelligence in driving tangible ROI. By nurturing emotional intelligence within their workforce and cultivating a culture that values empathy, understanding, and effective communication, organizations can unlock the full potential of their teams. The soft skill advantage provided by emotional intelligence not only enhances leadership effectiveness, collaboration, and customer satisfaction but also promotes employee well-being and retention.
AND... As businesses continue to evolve, investing in emotional intelligence becomes an imperative step towards securing a competitive edge and achieving sustainable growth in today's dynamic marketplace.
Let's face it, soft skills aren't going anywhere! So don't wait until your competition and AI leave you in the dust. Grab ahold of this opportunity for growth now and take your team and organization to the next level.
Want to learn more about how soft skills coaching, training, and development can support your team and company? Grab an informative call here with the Rise Up For You, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP team.