69. Whether the ability to work with others is more important than specific
2 f% c5 A% c8 {. ~. o! Dknowledge and technical competence depends on the specific job as well as the
9 c9 L& v6 s/ _6 t0 _, W7 ycomplexity of the job's technical aspects. In general, however, social skills are more
6 }, u# y% {" f. ~2 Vcritical than technical competence to the ultimate success of an organizational unit.
5 Y. O$ t5 [. w# N V9 x Admittedly, some level of technical competence and specific knowledge is needed
, V% ^2 c L! v! }to perform any job. Without some knowledge of the systems, procedures, and
# P% o5 |0 ?! M5 V$ |8 V: A0 Y# Evocabulary used in one's department or division, an employee cannot communicate * [; p! m/ C$ k/ p0 ]) y( Y" r
effectively with peers or contribute meaningfully to team goals. By the same token, , A8 |- |: d, m( b6 w
however, nearly every job—even those in which technical ability would seem to be of
' A b, ?3 t0 k( M3 j7 D3 L' V4 oparamount importance—calls for some skill in working with other employees. 4 d( O. |; e) g' n/ V: B
Computer programmers, for example, work in teams to develop products according to
+ T. x4 }0 _1 `/ j- Ragreed-upon specifications and timelines. Scientists and researchers must collaborate to
! g& V, {, B' ~, q" V( \establish common goals and to coordinate efforts. Even teachers, who are autonomous + Q( ]9 n/ o" M. t% Y
in the classroom, must serve on committees and coordinate activities with
" u3 Q6 O) `1 z: Z5 y- T% I$ Tistrators and other teachers./ {7 B8 f3 O& J, _3 x( U# T
Moreover, employees can generally learn technical skills and gain specific
" R$ F4 c& U# I3 Q) ]knowledge through on-the-job training and continuing education (depending on the
+ g. ^9 ~. z- J" Fcomplexity of the skills involved). Social skills, on the other hand, are more innate and ' |4 S3 \" \9 ?( U) v
not easily learned. They are, therefore, requisite skills that employees must possess at
' K% |9 V% u+ _4 D% w7 |the outset if the organizational unit is to succeed.
; R3 b2 W) @) C6 E' w, `! | In sum, specific knowledge does admittedly play a more critical role than social
- D; _2 S5 E" x/ xskills in some highly-technical jobs: nevertheless, the ability to work well with other ; J: w ]& [) t! r8 @' n& V, h
employees is ultimately more important, since all jobs require this ability and since it is
$ \0 X9 V! ^/ g. [, hmore difficult, to learn social skills on the job. |