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Key Soft Skills for University Faculty

The , have identified 8 core soft skill competencies. The competencies include: Career and Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Cultural Competence, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology.

In our increasingly technological and globalized world, university faculty are now expected to be comfortable, if not confident, in all of these skills. Some can even be expanded further, with Conflict Resolution and Empathy being additional skills of importance. Additionally, you may find that your particular field of expertise relies on soft skills of its own, such as Adaptability or Creativity.

Training Up Your Soft Skills With Everyday Hobbies

Engaging in hobbies outside of work can help faculty members develop a wide range of soft skills that are valuable both in the classroom and in their personal lives. Here are some hobbies that can directly contribute to the enhancement of these skills:

Creative Writing or Blogging

Soft Skills Developed: Communication, empathy, problem-solving, technology, creativity, career, and self-development.
How It Helps: Writing regularly fosters clearer, more effective communication skills. It encourages faculty to articulate their thoughts, ideas, and experiences in a way that resonates with others. It also nurtures creativity, which is essential for innovative teaching methods. Blogging or maintaining websites builds web development skills, content management, and technical communication.

Public Speaking or Toastmasters

Soft Skills Developed: Communication, confidence, leadership, persuasion.
How It Helps: Public speaking through organizations like Toastmasters helps faculty develop strong presentation skills, refine their ability to express complex ideas clearly, and gain confidence in speaking in front of audiences. These skills directly transfer to the classroom and professional conferences.

Journaling or Reflective Writing

Soft Skills Developed: Self-awareness, emotional intelligence, critical thinking.
How It Helps: Journaling or reflective writing encourages faculty to think critically about their experiences, fostering self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Reflecting on teaching practices can also help them identify areas for improvement and implement changes that benefit students.

Music (Playing an Instrument, Producing Music or Singing)

Soft Skills Developed: Patience, discipline, teamwork, emotional intelligence, creativity and technology.
How It Helps: Playing an instrument or singing requires practice, discipline, and patience, all of which help build perseverance and focus. It also enhances emotional intelligence by connecting with music's emotional depth, and collaboration with other musicians enhances teamwork. Music production teaches audio software, digital signal processing, and some programming.

Gardening or Landscaping

Soft Skills Developed: Patience, problem-solving, professionalism, stress management.
How It Helps: Gardening requires long-term commitment and patience, as plants take time to grow and thrive. It also involves problem-solving (e.g., dealing with pests or weather issues) and a keen attention to detail. The physical activity also helps reduce stress, leading to better well-being for faculty.

Photography

Soft Skills Developed: Creativity, observation, communication, professionalism, and technology.
How It Helps: Photography sharpens faculty's ability to observe details and capture moments from different perspectives. It encourages creativity and enhances visual communication skills, which can be applied in teaching presentations, research, or personal projects. Photography develops skills in image editing, file management, and foundational web design for portfolios.

Cooking or Baking

Soft Skills Developed: Time management, attention to detail, patience, creativity.
How It Helps: Cooking and baking require precise measurement and timing, which can enhance time management and organizational skills. It also fosters creativity, especially when experimenting with new recipes or techniques, and provides an opportunity for faculty to practice patience in a low-stress environment.

Yoga or Meditation

Soft Skills Developed: Stress management, emotional intelligence, focus, resilience.
How It Helps: Yoga and meditation are excellent for stress management and cultivating mindfulness. Faculty who practice these activities often develop better focus, patience, and emotional resilience, which are essential for handling challenging classroom situations and balancing professional responsibilities.

Travel and Cultural Exploration

Soft Skills Developed: Cultural competence, adaptability, problem-solving, communication.
How It Helps: Traveling exposes faculty to different cultures, fostering cultural competence and adaptability in diverse environments. It also encourages problem-solving skills as faculty navigate unfamiliar places and situations, enhancing their ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds.

Team Sports

Soft Skills Developed: Teamwork, leadership, collaboration, communication, conflict resolution, career and self-development.
How It Helps: Playing team sports develops strong interpersonal skills, such as communication, leadership, and collaboration. Faculty can apply these skills when working with students in group projects or leading department initiatives.

Art and Crafts 

Soft Skills Developed: Creativity, patience, professionalism, stress relief.
How It Helps: Creative arts require patience and attention to detail, both of which can translate into more focused and thoughtful teaching. The process of creating also provides a great way to relax and de-stress, helping to prevent burnout.

Learning a New Language

Soft Skills Developed: Communication, empathy, cultural awareness, adaptability.
How It Helps: Learning a new language requires patience, persistence, and a deep understanding of communication beyond the words themselves. It fosters empathy as faculty gain insight into the challenges of language learners, which can enhance their interactions with students.

DIY or Home Improvement Projects

Soft Skills Developed: Problem-solving, creativity, time management, resourcefulness.
How It Helps: DIY projects help faculty become more resourceful, creative, and adaptable as they work with limited resources or unexpected challenges. These skills can be applied in the classroom when faculty need to find innovative ways to teach or manage difficult situations.

Chess or Strategy Games

Soft Skills Developed: Strategic thinking, problem-solving, patience, focus.
How It Helps: Chess and other strategy games encourage strategic thinking and long-term planning, as well as patience and perseverance. These hobbies enhance critical thinking and decision-making skills, which are valuable in both teaching and administrative roles.

Entrepreneurship or Side Projects

Soft Skills Developed: Initiative, problem-solving, time management, creativity.
How It Helps: Starting a side project or small business requires initiative, risk-taking, and creative problem-solving. Faculty who engage in entrepreneurship develop resilience, communication skills, and adaptability—qualities that can be useful in academic settings as well.

Dancing

Soft Skills Developed: Coordination, teamwork, communication, confidence.
How It Helps: Dancing requires coordination and teamwork, especially in partner dances. It can boost confidence and creativity while also improving communication and non-verbal expression, which can be beneficial in teaching and group work.

Fitness or Running

Soft Skills Developed: Discipline, resilience, time management, stress management.
How It Helps: Regular physical activity builds discipline, resilience, and time management skills. Running or fitness routines also help manage stress and promote physical well-being, leading to more energy and focus at work.

Debating or Discussion Groups

Soft Skills Developed: Critical thinking, communication, persuasion, listening.
How It Helps: Engaging in debates or discussion groups fosters critical thinking, helps faculty refine their argumentation skills, and improves their ability to listen to differing perspectives. These skills are vital in the classroom when engaging with students or colleagues.

Mindful Walking or Nature Walks

Soft Skills Developed: Mindfulness, observation, stress management, creativity.
How It Helps: Walking in nature helps faculty slow down, practice mindfulness, and observe their environment closely. This can lead to improved stress management and creativity, allowing faculty to return to their work with renewed focus and energy.

Volunteering and Community Service

Soft Skills Developed: Empathy, leadership, teamwork, conflict resolution, cultural competence, career and self-development.
How It Helps: Volunteering fosters a deep sense of empathy and social responsibility. Faculty can develop strong leadership skills by managing teams or projects in the community, as well as improve their teamwork and conflict resolution skills by working with diverse groups of people; enhances interpersonal skills.

Conclusion

Faculty hobbies that focus on Career and Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Cultural Competence, Leadership. Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology can directly enhance their soft skills, which are critical for effective teaching, collaboration, and personal development. Encouraging faculty to pursue diverse activities outside of the classroom can contribute to their growth both as professionals and as individuals.