The Hard Truth About Soft Skills Research Report

49% of respondents overall said soft skills are more important for success; 48 percent said they are “equally important.”--Technical skills, such as statistical knowledge and tool savvy, are undeniably important for effectiveness in Six Sigma. But what about "soft" skills - communication, the ability to motivate others, relationship building and so on; how critical are they? Although some might say those skills have little to do with Six Sigma, survey results suggest otherwise. This research report determined which characteristics and skills were cited by respondents as the most essential for success as a Black Belt. It explores which soft skills are the most important, which are the most frequently used, whether companies provide soft skills development to their Six Sigma team members, and how the prevalence of soft skills affects Six Sigma success. Findings explored in this report include: Finding 1: By a wide margin, the ability to communicate is considered the most important ski