69. Whether the ability to work with others is more important than specific ! ^, E+ k4 V# V. X
knowledge and technical competence depends on the specific job as well as the
" d+ r ^2 C$ I" f$ ~complexity of the job's technical aspects. In general, however, social skills are more
( z0 M% F9 P! m3 ^critical than technical competence to the ultimate success of an organizational unit.
L% [4 r9 f( J5 ]6 f1 o7 Q: i$ | Admittedly, some level of technical competence and specific knowledge is needed ( n0 a8 e! ?( Y8 V. V4 h
to perform any job. Without some knowledge of the systems, procedures, and # d# u p4 D6 C& c1 g0 K! w2 H# O
vocabulary used in one's department or division, an employee cannot communicate ( [. a1 }3 ~' \, i
effectively with peers or contribute meaningfully to team goals. By the same token, , U" G: n. g3 C9 e& }
however, nearly every job—even those in which technical ability would seem to be of
) L7 |, \+ @! |paramount importance—calls for some skill in working with other employees.
: U" S c1 l3 M/ l8 lComputer programmers, for example, work in teams to develop products according to
1 W/ x" j+ e" J: W' e+ t' Cagreed-upon specifications and timelines. Scientists and researchers must collaborate to
' ]$ ]: U6 N1 `, {establish common goals and to coordinate efforts. Even teachers, who are autonomous
! N$ f u5 d/ Z) Yin the classroom, must serve on committees and coordinate activities with 4 Q- K s8 M4 ^) s% ~) u( |& V6 E
istrators and other teachers.
4 f( ?) v5 F A- }5 u Moreover, employees can generally learn technical skills and gain specific
# @ U& `% x1 v: t7 w1 t% M; z) uknowledge through on-the-job training and continuing education (depending on the
- r2 m7 l) V/ F7 w& zcomplexity of the skills involved). Social skills, on the other hand, are more innate and
' k+ O* Q+ j, Q/ r8 Bnot easily learned. They are, therefore, requisite skills that employees must possess at
$ A: F( A0 G6 P9 b$ ithe outset if the organizational unit is to succeed.4 [. ~" E3 B) [& o1 O; [, ~- ?9 v
In sum, specific knowledge does admittedly play a more critical role than social + _1 D% N2 P/ B% W
skills in some highly-technical jobs: nevertheless, the ability to work well with other
2 ^+ G2 R! D) `) n3 gemployees is ultimately more important, since all jobs require this ability and since it is ; k8 k$ x% l8 p* Y
more difficult, to learn social skills on the job. |