The Relationship Between Soft Skills Development and Job Performance in Public Organizations

Abstract

As public sector organizations strive for efficiency and service excellence, it has become increasingly evident that technical skills alone are insufficient. Soft skills, such as communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and teamwork are essential for enhancing individual and organizational performance. Through a mixed-method approach combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, this research investigates the impact of soft skills training on employee performance in public organizations in Thailand. The findings indicate a strong positive correlation between the development of soft skills and job performance. Employees who received formal soft skills training exhibited better communication, higher emotional intelligence, and more effective collaboration, leading to improved performance outcomes. Moreover, leadership support and organizational culture were found to be key factors in the successful implementation of soft skills development programs. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on human resource development in the public sector and provides recommendations for integrating soft skills training into organizational policies to foster a more effective workforce.