{"id":497,"date":"2025-05-28T18:22:43","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T16:22:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sagaeterna.hr\/?p=497"},"modified":"2025-07-24T01:13:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T23:13:13","slug":"mogu-li-se-meke-vjestine-nauciti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sagaeterna.hr\/en\/mogu-li-se-meke-vjestine-nauciti\/","title":{"rendered":"Can soft skills be learned?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Ilustracija<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you're reading this post, that probably means you've already acknowledged the importance of soft skills<\/strong> in your personal and\/or professional life. The question that logically follows is: \"Can those skills be developed<\/strong>, learned and mastered<\/strong>?\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe you've already concluded that the answer is a resounding Yes<\/strong>, because otherwise, this post - and in that sense, Saga Eterna itself - would not even exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 ways to master soft skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the skill you want to acquire and your preferred learning style, choose one (or more) of the following ways of learning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Listen to a(n) (online) lecture<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    A lecture about the skill you're interested in developing can help you learn some techniques <\/strong>that can help you develop the targeted skill and provide you with information <\/strong>about the skill on a deeper level<\/strong>, for example about the reasons <\/strong>we need the skill,<\/span> examples <\/strong>of successful use of the skill,<\/span> research <\/strong>that explored the skill and its <\/span>conclusions<\/span> <\/strong>and so on. That's why a lecture is always a good starting point <\/strong>on the journey of your success. Research confirms that lectures and workshops<\/strong> are effective ways of soft skill learning (Robles, 2012). Today's world is full of free resources<\/strong>, lectures included. You can learn a lot from these free lectures (provided they're by experts on the topic, of course), so take advantage of that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Fotografija<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Podcast<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Once you get an idea of what the skill you want to develop means and includes, you can try to find a podcast that talks about it. This is another way to find real-life examples<\/strong> of real-life people and their journey to skill mastery, including the techniques that were useful for them<\/strong>, as well as those that weren't and in which contexts <\/strong>and how<\/strong> they use that skill today. Storytelling and real-life examples<\/strong> have been proven successful in the processes of skill mastery and retention (Kivunja, 2015).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Clubs, NGOs, groups<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        If you're a student who wants to acquire and develop your argumentation skills<\/span>, join a debate<\/strong><\/span> <\/strong>team<\/span> in your school or at university if it's possible. If you want to learn how to more thoroughly analyze books<\/strong><\/span>, join a Book club<\/span> near you, etc. Sharing a goal<\/strong> with others can help us achieve it sooner. Again, we're stumbling across the idea that other people's experiences can help <\/strong>and speed up the learning process<\/strong> in various ways. You don't have to do it all on your own!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Trainings and workshops<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Both trainings and workshops are much more interactive teaching methods <\/strong>than lectures, allowing you an individualized approach<\/strong> and a chance to ask questions <\/strong>which is not a possibility at some (especially pre-recorded) lectures. Additionally, both these methods focus on practicing the newly acquired skill<\/strong> which increases the retention (remembering) <\/strong>of the content. Subsequently, this can also positively affect how often and how well <\/strong>we will use the newly acquired skill once we're out the door. Kolb's (1984) research found that experiential learning<\/strong> - which is the essential part of workshops and trainings - is an effective method of soft skill learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. Practice<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Practice makes perfect<\/s> progress<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \"Fotografija<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

            Personally, I don't believe in \"chasing\" perfection.<\/strong>However, I still believe that practice is one of the most effective <\/strong>ways to develop skills. Be on the look-out for situations in which you can practice the skill you want to develop. To decrease your stress level<\/strong> while beginning to practice, I recommend to start with low-risk <\/strong>situations, for instance if you want to develop your feedback-giving skill<\/strong><\/span>, try out a method you learned about with a person who you<\/span> know reacts well<\/strong><\/span> to disagreement and choose a topic that's low on your importance list<\/strong><\/span>, such as telling your partner that you don't like it when they leave the toothpaste open<\/span>. As your skill-related confidence <\/strong>starts to grow<\/strong>, start to raise the stakes<\/strong>. Repeated practice and gradual exposure<\/strong> are key to skill development (Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch-R\u00f6mer, 1993).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            1. Take on a leadership role<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              According to Goleman (1998), leadership experience is highly correlated to the development of a wide range of <\/strong>soft skills. Some of the skills you can develop in your leadership role are delegating<\/strong>, time and project management, communication <\/strong>skills, conflict resolution <\/strong>and many others. As mentioned in the previous example, here you can also start slowly <\/strong>- for example take the lead role on a group project<\/strong> for your school\/university\/work<\/span>, become a representative<\/strong> of your class in the Student Council at university<\/span>, show interest to your <\/strong>coach to train younger teams <\/strong>in your sport<\/span> or to organize a team-building<\/strong> for your colleagues at work or your teammates from sports practice<\/span>. If you try to find them, you'll se that the opportunities to lead are all around you<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Which soft skills can I learn using these methods?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
              \"Fotografija<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

              In short, nearly all of them<\/strong>. Even though many people might tell you that \"people don't change<\/strong>\" or that \"you can't teach an old dog<\/strong> new tricks<\/strong>\", most psychologists would beg to differ<\/strong>. You see, our brains are plastic<\/strong>. Now what does that even mean? The first time I heard this term, to me it sounded as if that meant the brain is solid and incapable of changing<\/strong>. However, this term actually means the exact opposite<\/strong>. Basically, we are capable to learn and change as long as we're alive<\/strong> (Doidge, 2007). Or as long as we want to<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              So if you think that a certain soft skill can help you advance <\/strong>at work or in sports, or could lead to increase in quality of your interpersonal relations<\/strong> in your private life, I definitely recommend to choose one or more of the above-mentioned methods and give yourself a chance to develop it and transform into an even better version of yourself<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              What if...<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              Imagine a world in which every person possesses highly developed communication skills <\/strong>\u2013 where misunderstandings are rare, verbal conflicts never escalate<\/strong>, and everyone feels safe expressing their needs <\/strong>without fear of negative reactions from others. In such a world, relationships \u2013 whether personal, professional, or within the community \u2013 would be built on trust, empathy, and mutual respect<\/strong>. Collaboration would flourish, stress and anxiety would decrease, and people would feel connected and supported<\/strong> in their everyday lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              When individuals are equipped with strong soft skills such as active listening<\/strong>, empathy<\/strong>, conflict resolution, and assertiveness, they cope better<\/strong> with challenges, build more meaningful relationships<\/strong> and create a positive environment<\/strong> around themselves (Kivunja, 2015). Research consistently shows that developing these skills leads to greater job satisfaction<\/strong>, improvements in mental health<\/strong> and stronger social relationships<\/strong> (Crosbie, 2005).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Every soft skills training is a step closer to that ideal world<\/strong>. By choosing to develop your own abilities, you are not only improving the quality of your own life<\/strong>, but also contributing to a more harmonious and productive society <\/strong>(Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch-R\u00f6mer, 1993). Imagine that butterfly effect: as you become more skilled in communication and understanding, you inspire <\/strong>others to do the same, gradually changing your environment for the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Are you ready to take that step \u2013 to change yourself <\/strong>in order to change the world<\/strong>? The journey begins with a single decision to grow<\/strong>, and every bit of your effort brings us closer to a world where everyone can thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \"Fotografija<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

              Let's write the saga of your success together<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Resources<\/summary>\n

              Crosbie, R. (2005). Learning the soft skills of leadership. Industrial and Commercial Training<\/em>, 37(1), 45-51.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself<\/em>. Viking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-R\u00f6mer, C. (1993). The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Psychological Review<\/em>, 100(3), 363\u2013406.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Goleman, D. (1998). Working with Emotional Intelligence<\/em>. Bantam Books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Kivunja, C. (2015). Teaching students to learn and to work well with 21st century skills. International Journal of Higher Education<\/em>, 4(1), 1-21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development<\/em>. Prentice Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Robles, M. M. (2012). Executive perceptions of the top 10 soft skills needed in today\u2019s workplace. Business Communication Quarterly<\/em>, 75(4), 453-465.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

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