Soft skills 101: how to supercharge business success in 2025

The evolving work environment now places significant value on business skills. Research indicates that soft skills contribute to 85% of overall job success, and projections suggest that by 2030, up to 40% of all jobs will require well-developed social-emotional competencies. Additionally, studies show that companies investing in the development of their employees’ soft skills can expect a 250% return on their investment within less than a year.  

So, what are the top business skills that can enhance workplaces in 2025 and beyond? How can they be improved? These questions will be addressed in this blog. 

What pros can soft skills bring to the table?  

First-class soft skills and their improvement can lead to an organizations’ prosperity and benefit companies in many ways:  

• Enhanced productivity. Strong interpersonal abilities foster effective teamwork, contributing to efficient task performance, streamlined problem-solving, professional conflict resolution, and improved time management. 

• Superior quality of service. Employees who excel at building relationships can create meaningful connections with both current and potential clients, ensuring professional communication and making clients feel valued throughout the collaboration. 

• Increased employee satisfaction. Organizations that invest in their employees’ growth and provide opportunities for personal development are more likely to have engaged and loyal staff who feel appreciated and motivated to stay long-term. 

• Improved communication. Clear and accurate communication allows employees to express their thoughts without misunderstandings or biases, enabling them to focus on achieving business objectives effectively. 

Sought-after competencies to improve workplace  

There are dozens of soft skills that can positively impact the quality of QA specialist’s work. The focus here will be on those that are most beneficial to business. 

1. Critical thinking  

It’s essential to analyze incoming data, question the facts, research, and use relevant information to solve problems and make informed decisions. For instance, QA engineers can use it to not only identify software issues but think of potential aspects and risks that can negatively impact the correct operation of IT products. They can also more accurately prioritize detected defects, better plan activities in the long run, and more productively navigate challenging situations.  

2. Emotional intelligence  

When emotions aren’t interpreted in the right way, they can have devastating consequences. Emotional intelligence at work helps QA specialists better understand various project stakeholders’ point of view, manage stressful situations (e.g. related to pressing deadlines) in a more effective way, correctly respond to constructive criticism, and be able to decrease tension in the workplace.   

3. Troubleshooting

The ability to analyze situations from multiple perspectives and address problems with confidence is a crucial soft skill. Strong problem-solving capabilities enable QA engineers to more comprehensively articulate problems, think creatively and identify the best solutions even under pressure, leading to more effective time management.  

4. Adaptability  

The global landscape is constantly changing, impacting our working conditions. Adaptability is a crucial skill in this dynamic environment. It enables QA teams to swiftly and effectively respond to shifting project requirements or organizational changes, quickly learn new tools and technologies, and show greater flexibility when taking on new responsibilities. 

5. Conflict resolution  

Conflicts are natural and form an indispensable part of life, so it’s important not to be afraid of them. QA engineers who actively listen to each party to understand different perspectives and demonstrate empathy can successfully resolve defect-related disagreements (e.g., regarding severity levels), solve problems more effectively to prevent project delays, and maintain clear communication in any situation. 

6. Ability to work in a team  

Teamwork is among the most sought-after soft skills that HR managers prioritize in candidates today. This is unsurprising, as complex tasks are rarely accomplished by a single individual. When a QA specialist can effectively collaborate with developers, business analysts, product owners, and other project stakeholders, they can brainstorm creative ideas, share the workload, and reduce the risk of project delays.  

7. Being an effective leader  

When acting as proficient leaders, QA managers can establish a straightforward vision for the entire team that matches the company’s goals, create effective multi-year strategies, take accountability for mentorship, and refine testing workflows when they see space for improvement. They also inspire and motivate other team members and encourage open communication between everyone to foster the development of novel ideas and accept different opinions.   

8. Innovation and creativity  

Sometimes, solving a problem requires examining it from all angles. This approach allows for the generation of new, creative ideas, the conduct of experiments, and the continuous exploration of ways to improve the situation. When QA engineers think outside the box, they can better predict potential risks, more effectively grasp end-user experience, handle project alterations easier, and leverage a unique approach when reproducing and addressing issues. 

9. Persuasiveness  

To get a stakeholder’s buy-in (e.g. the introduction of a new technology or approach such as continuous testing), sharpened presentation and persuasion skills are essential. When QA specialists confidently and clearly articulate their point of view, using visuals, facts, statistics, and evidence to support their arguments, they are more likely to influence colleagues, as well as current or potential clients, and achieve their desired outcomes.  

10. Digital fluency  

The current pace of the digital landscape evolution is enormous — new technologies, frameworks, tools appear literally every day. QA engineers should quickly delve into their essence, be able to leverage them at work, swiftly analyze whether they match the current project environment, so as to accelerate testing processes, boost efficiency, and develop the culture of innovation within a company.   

On the way to perfection  

Let’s see how soft skills can be improved:  

• Prepare. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses and determine which areas need improvement based on your work requirements and responsibilities.  

• Learn. Choose a relevant online or offline training course that offers practical programs to maximize learning efficiency.  

• Accept. Be open to feedback to gain insights into how others perceive you, providing a broader perspective on your abilities and areas for growth.  

• Listen. Avoid interrupting others, seek clarification when needed, and record details. This skill is invaluable for improving workplace interactions and enhancing empathy.  

Why soft skills matter at a1qa  

At a1qa, we believe in improving processes—whether for our clients or within our teams. It’s not just technical know-how that drives improvement; soft skills play a big role, too. These abilities help us communicate effectively, solve problems, and adapt to new challenges. By focusing on them, we ensure that we continue delivering high-quality results for our clients.  

Final thoughts  

Sheryl Sandberg stated, “Build your skills, not your resume.” Soft skills are vital both for advancing one’s career and enhancing a company’ organizational performance. These competencies can be continually developed, so it’s never too late to invest in self-improvement. 

Contact a1qa’s team if you are looking for professional QA assistance.