soft skills

plural noun

: general abilities (such as communication, critical thinking, and adaptability) that rely on qualitative experiences and intuitive learning rather than technical expertise

Perhaps preschool's biggest contribution to students' future success comes in the form of so-called soft skills like learning how to pay attention and stay on task.

—Kayla Webley

especially : interpersonal skills

Being able to talk to folks and use soft skills like listening to what the customer is asking for can make all the difference.

—Ryan Kelly

Most CIOs spend a significant amount of time honing their IT abilities and staying up to date on the latest technologies and trends. Relatively few IT leaders, however, dedicate themselves to refining their soft skills in such critical areas as leadership, collaboration, and team building.

—John Edwards

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above