Did you know that according to a global LinkedIn survey up to 89% of hiring failures are not caused by a lack of technical expertise, but by the absence of soft skills? A similar trend is confirmed by our experience at COREDO.jobs: employers in the Czech Republic increasingly prefer candidates who demonstrate strong soft skills over those who only have perfect hard skills.
From COREDO.jobs practice it follows that successful companies invest in the development of soft skills not only in managers, but across the entire team. In the following article I will focus on the most sought-after soft skills, their importance in the modern work environment, and concrete strategies on how to develop and measure these skills. If you want to understand why soft skills are essential for your company’s competitiveness as well as personal career growth, I recommend reading on — I will offer you practical guides and experiences from the Czech labor market.
Most in-demand soft skills for 2025
When analyzing the requirements of our clients from engineering, financial services, healthcare and e-commerce, it is repeatedly confirmed that technical knowledge alone is no longer enough. Experts at COREDO.jobs recommend focusing on these five key soft skills:
- Effective communication at work
The ability to clearly formulate ideas, listen and convey information is the foundation of team collaboration and reduces the risk of errors in daily operations. In hybrid teams, where some people work remotely, effective communication is essential for maintaining cohesion and motivation. - Team collaboration and team dynamics
Our case studies in metal manufacturing and logistics show that teams with a developed ability to cooperate achieve higher productivity and better outcomes in crisis situations. Team collaboration is today considered one of the main skills employers look for in 2025. - Employee adaptability and workplace flexibility
Turbulent market changes, digitalization and new technologies place emphasis on rapid adaptation. Solutions we developed at COREDO.jobs for clients in construction and pharmaceuticals show that employees with a high degree of adaptability handle process changes and the introduction of new technologies without a significant drop in performance. - Emotional intelligence and its role in leadership
The ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others is crucial for leading teams, resolving conflicts and building trust. Leadership and HR management experts today consider emotional intelligence a decisive factor in successful people leadership. - Problem solving and crisis management
COREDO.jobs’ experience in law, compliance and healthcare confirms that employees who can quickly analyze a situation, propose solutions and take responsibility are indispensable to companies. Crisis management and the ability to handle unexpected situations rank among the most valued soft skills in 2025.
| Soft skill | Importance for employers in 2025 | Typical positions |
|---|---|---|
| Effective communication | Reduces errors, increases performance | All, especially management |
| Team collaboration | Supports innovation, reduces conflicts | Manufacturing, services, project teams |
| Adaptability | Ensures quick response to change | IT, construction, e-commerce |
| Emotional intelligence | Improves leadership and motivation | Management, HR, healthcare |
| Problem solving | Increases efficiency, reduces risks | Law, compliance, laboratories |
The importance of soft skills at work
- Corporate culture and well-being
Teams where open communication and mutual respect are common show higher levels of satisfaction and loyalty. Our projects in hospitality and healthcare indicate that investing in the development of soft skills leads to reduced turnover and improved employee well-being. - Hybrid work environment and digital transformation
In hybrid teams, the ability to communicate effectively remotely, handle digital tools and quickly learn new processes is key. Soft skills such as adaptability, digital literacy and the ability to resolve conflicts in an online environment are now essential for successful digital transformation. - Inclusion and diversity
Companies that support the development of soft skills are better prepared to work in a multicultural environment. COREDO.jobs’ experience in recruiting foreign workers shows that soft skills help overcome language and cultural barriers and promote inclusion. - Sustainability and ethics at work
The ability to conduct dialogue, negotiate and seek compromises is fundamental for building sustainable relationships in the workplace and with business partners. Soft skills thus contribute not only to a better atmosphere but also to the long-term stability of the company.
In conclusion, soft skills are today a key tool for managing change, supporting diversity and maintaining competitiveness in a rapidly changing work environment.
How to develop soft skills in a company?
Developing soft skills is not a one-off project, but a continuous process that requires strategy, suitable tools and leadership support. Experts at COREDO.jobs recommend the following approaches:
- Reskilling and upskilling programs
In practice at COREDO.jobs we have successfully implemented scalable programs for the development of softskills that combine internal training, external courses and mentoring. The most effective are programs that link the development of soft skills with specific work tasks. - Coaching and mentoring of soft skills
Coaching focused on developing communication, conflict resolution, or leadership delivers measurable results. In projects for clients from banking and pharmaceuticals, combining individual mentoring with team workshops has proven effective. - Educational platforms and online courses
Platforms like Udemy or Coursera allow employees to develop soft skills flexibly and at their own pace. I recommend combining online courses with practical exercises and feedback from colleagues. - Scaling soft skills within a company
The solutions we developed at COREDO.jobs for construction and manufacturing firms show that the development of soft skills can be effectively scaled using digital tools, regular appraisal interviews, and peer-to-peer learning. - Leadership and development of managers’ soft skills
Managers who master soft skills such as emotional intelligence, motivation and change management can lead teams better during periods of uncertainty. From our case studies it follows that investing in the development of leaders’ soft skills brings a higher ROI than isolated technical training.
For the benefits of soft skills development to be long-term, it is crucial that organizations actively support their application in daily practice and monitor the real impacts on efficiency of the team and the whole company.
How to measure the return on investment in soft skills?
One of the most common questions from our clients is: How to measure the return on investment in developing soft skills? I admit that measuring soft skills is more complex than evaluating hard skills, but there are proven methods and metrics:
- Metrics for evaluating soft skills
At COREDO.jobs we use a combination of 360° feedback, behavioral assessment centers and regular appraisal interviews. These tools allow tracking the development of skills such as communication, team collaboration or problem solving in a real work environment. - ROI of investment in soft skills
Return on investment can be measured using indicators such as reduced turnover, increased productivity, improved employee satisfaction (employee engagement) or speed of adaptation to changes. For example, in one of our case studies in a laboratory, targeted development of soft skills led to a reduction in turnover of more than 20% over one year. - Technology in HR (assessment tools, HR tech)
Modern HR technologies enable automating data collection, analyzing trends and visualizing progress in the development of soft skills. It is recommended to use digital tools for regular evaluation and setting individual development plans. - Soft skills in HR management and recruitment
Underestimating soft skills during recruitment can lead to higher costs for onboarding and increased turnover. COREDO.jobs’ practice confirms that systematic evaluation of soft skills already during candidate selection significantly reduces the risk of unsuccessful integration into the team.
Conclusion: measuring and managing soft skills development is today an integral part of modern HR management and the key to increasing the efficiency of investments in human capital.
Now we will look at specific models and procedures that help effectively measure the return on investment in educational programs.
Soft skills trends through 2025
From our observations and labor market analyses, it follows that trends in the area of soft skills are rapidly evolving in response to digitization, automation and the growing importance of artificial intelligence. Which skills will be most in demand in 2025 and beyond?
- Digitization, automation and AI
Soft skills such as adaptability, critical thinking and digital literacy are essential for managing technological changes. Employees who can quickly respond to new tools and processes have a significant competitive advantage. - Psychological resilience and conflict resolution
In times of uncertainty and rapid change, the importance of psychological resilience, the ability to manage stress and effectively resolve conflicts increases. Crisis management experts recommend systematic development of these skills across the entire organization. - Critical and creative thinking
Companies that support creativity and innovation achieve higher growth and adaptability. Soft skills such as creativity, the ability to design new solutions and openness to change will be key for success in the digital economy in 2025. - Social influence, motivation and employee engagement
The ability to inspire, motivate and build trust is today one of the most valued soft skills among managers and team members alike. COREDO.jobs’ experience in managing hybrid teams confirms that engaged employees show higher productivity and loyalty.
The future of work will belong to those who can develop not only technical but also soft skills in the context of digital transformation and multicultural collaboration.
How to successfully do business, manage, and sell online
Based on many years of experience at COREDO.jobs, I recommend the following proven practices for developing soft skills within the company:
- Linking development of hard and soft skills
The greatest effect comes from educational programs that combine technical knowledge with the development of soft skills. For example, in e-commerce it has proven effective to combine training in digital tools with training in effective communication and team collaboration. - Implementing reskilling programs focused on soft skills
It is recommended to regularly update development plans according to current market needs and company strategy. In practice, COREDO.jobs has successfully implemented reskilling programs that helped employees adapt to new roles within digital transformation. - Supporting inclusion and diversity through soft skills
Training focused on intercultural communication, empathy and conflict resolution support an open corporate culture and increase the company’s attractiveness to talent from diverse backgrounds. - Coaching and mentoring as a tool for developing soft skills
Individual coaching and mentoring bring faster development of key soft skills in managers and rank-and-file employees. It is recommendedYou can combine internal and external coaches according to the team’s specific needs. - Reducing turnover and increasing loyalty
Systematic development of soft skills leads to reduced turnover and higher employee loyalty. In one of our case studies in the woodworking industry, targeted development of soft skills led to an increase in retention of key workers by more than 15% over six months.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the development of soft skills is not merely a matter of training, but a long-term strategy that brings measurable results in the form of higher productivity, lower turnover and a better corporate culture.
Article conclusion
From the perspective of COREDO.jobs experts, the development of soft skills is one of the most advantageous investments a company can make in 2025. Soft skills determine success in digital transformation, reduce the risk of turnover and strengthen teams’ ability to handle unexpected challenges. I therefore recommend monitoring current trends, systematically developing soft skills across the organization and using proven methods to measure their benefits. This is how you will gain a competitive advantage and ensure the long-term stability of your business and the career growth of your employees.
