The future of work isn’t just about tech skills. Are we preparing our students for the skills that truly matter? Employers are looking for strong communication, empathy, adaptability, and teamwork. These are the “soft skills” that help people thrive in any workplace.
I’ve always disliked the term “soft skills.” Over the past ten years, I’ve developed a fondness for the ideas, research, and wisdom that Simon Sinek shares. He’s a thought-provoking author, a great social media follow, and the host of my favorite podcast, “A Bit of Optimism.”
A few years back, my YouTube algorithm fed me one of his videos, “There’s NO Such Thing as Soft Skills.” Although it contains some adult language, it’s a valuable listen. Just be mindful of when and where you play it. In the video, he eloquently explained why he disliked the term “soft skills,” reasoning so clearly that I could understand. He believes using the term “soft skills” undermines the significance of all of the skills associated with such, suggesting they are optional or less necessary.
Instead, Sinek suggests we use the term “human skills.” He argues that human skills, such as effective communication, empathy, patience, and the ability to confront challenges directly, are fundamental to personal and professional success. He asserts that these human skills are not innate talents but can and should be learned and developed.
Building opportunities to seamlessly embed these essential skills is exactly why we built The First Five and share it freely each day. Beyond just activities to begin a class or time with groups of students, The First Five encourages communication, empathy, and critical thinking through daily interactions, making these human skills a natural part of classroom routines.
Our quick activities allow students to practice key skills like listening, sharing ideas, and reflecting with each use. Whether discussing a thought-provoking quote, connecting through a fun question, or building mindfulness, these moments help students grow into well-rounded individuals.
The structure and format of The First Five supports this seamlessly, giving us opportunities to practice these types of skills in quick increments and daily.
Building capacity for these “human skills” can help us prepare our students for the life they desire beyond school. Amongst the key skills desired by the ever-evolving workplace, The Department of Labor included these essential competencies: networking, communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These all can be supported through practice and community building.
We strive to offer you the resources daily to help you lead this! If you use The First Five, you’re leading strong and impactful experiences while giving students lifelong tools they’ll need.
-John Whalen, Co-Founder of Edtomorrow