There’s no better time to talk about it than May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Workplaces are finally waking up to the reality that mental well-being isn’t just about yoga and mental health days; it’s also about the everyday skills we use to communicate, cope, and collaborate. Enter soft skills.

As highlighted in Coursera’s article “Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What’s the Difference?”, statistics indicate that skills such as; creative thinking, analytical thinking, flexibility, self-awareness and active listening are expected to rise in importance for employers between 2023 and 2027. This aligns perfectly with the growing recognition that these “power skills” aren’t just nice to have, they’re what set great professionals apart in the modern workplace.

Wait, What Are Soft Skills?

Soft skills are personal attributes and interpersonal abilities that determine how effectively someone can work with others. These include emotional intelligence, adaptability, communication, time management, empathy and conflict resolution. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), soft skills like teamwork, communication and problem-solving are among the top attributes employers seek in job candidates. The World Economic Forum also lists soft skills such as emotional intelligence, resilience and active listening as essential for the future of work.

In contrast to hard skills (like coding, accounting or data analysis), soft skills are less about what you know and more about how you show up, especially under pressure.

Why Soft Skills Matter for Mental Health at Work

Think about it, how many mental breakdowns at work stem from a poor email tone, passive-aggressive colleagues, unclear instructions or unresolved tension? Exactly. Soft skills are the unspoken glue of a healthy work environment.

Skills like:

Self-awareness helps you recognize when you’re stressed or overwhelmed.
Emotional regulation keeps those feelings from spiralling.
Effective communication ensures you don’t bottle things up.
Conflict resolution helps you address issues before they explode.

Together, these soft skills impact not just how well you work but also how well you feel while working. By strengthening these skills, you’re also building emotional resilience which is a key pillar of mental well-being.

So, what’s the best way to build these ungoogleable skills? Books. Really good ones, and we’ve got them. We’ve rounded up six gems that double up as your unofficial mental health toolkit at work:

1. Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman

If you read only one book on this list, let it be this one. Goleman breaks down how being emotionally savvy can actually outshine pure brainpower when it comes to success. Spoiler: empathy, self-regulation and social skills win.

Professional Communication Skills – Kotak

Because “Kindly find attached” is just the beginning. Elevator pitches to email etiquette, this book helps you level up your office-speak without sounding like a robot. Say what you mean, mean what you say and maybe even get that promotion while you’re at it.

3. Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships – David Bradford & Carole Robin

Let’s face it, good vibes at work are no accident. This book teaches you how to go beyond small talk and build the kind of meaningful connections that fuel trust, collaboration and yes, career growth.

4. Communication Skills – Mwituria

Written with our local workplace context in mind, this gem is perfect if you want no-nonsense, practical tools for expressing yourself clearly and confidently without the fluff.

How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

Still, the ultimate “how to not be awkward at work” manual. If you’re leading meetings or just trying to survive small talk by the printer, this classic shows you how to charm, connect and convince without sounding like a walking TED Talk.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey

Okay, this one’s a classic for a reason. If you haven’t read it yet, now’s the time. It’s like a personal growth toolkit for being proactive, strategic and resilient.

In conclusion, this Mental Health Awareness month, consider soft skills as your daily mental health practice as well as the quiet tools that help you to stay grounded, show empathy, speak clearly and bounce back from stress. They might not show up on your job description, but they show up in every conversation, meeting and moment of pressure.

And hey, if you’ve read any of these, drop a comment and tell us your favorite takeaway! ????

News and Articles

News and Articles