The ‘hard’ case for ‘soft' skills
This document discusses the importance of "soft skills" or "operational support skills" for paramilitary and border guarding forces. It argues that skills like troop morale, inspiration, loyalty and bravery are crucial to building an effective force. It notes that other forces have been tarnished due to soft, not operational, failures. The document emphasizes that these skills should be taught from the top down and seen as strategically essential. It provides the example of GE's leadership training program which focuses exclusively on soft skills with a large budget. The key skills highlighted include passion for duty, integrity, problem-solving, truthfulness, concern for civilians, and building relationships. The conclusion is that success depends on winning hearts and minds through
The ‘hard’ case for ‘soft' skills
- 1. The ‘Hard’ case for ‘Soft’ skills Winning the battle of the mind
- 2. Why ‘Soft’ skills?? Because ‘Soft’ skills are critical to ‘Hard’ work Some ‘Hard’ facts: Troop morale is critical to operational success Inspiration, loyalty, bravery are all crucial to building a great force The image of other border guarding and paramilitary forces has been tarnished because of ‘soft’ reasons; not because of operational failure Support from the community is a ‘soft’ issue We clean the gun not to make it look nice but so that it will shoot straight
- 3. Let’s call it by its right name… ‘Operational Support Skills’ There’s nothing soft about ‘Soft’ skills
- 4. Strategic Essentials Importance must be emphasized from the top Senior officers must be seen as role models of Operational Support Skills Senior officers must personally teach these skills Create a bank of success stories to demonstrate the power of winning hearts Leadership skills must be a part of every course Because the enemy is fighting for the mind
- 5. What happens elsewhere? GE Corporate University, Crotonville, USA Premier leadership institute in the world Teaches only ‘soft’ skills Expense budget of over $ 2 Bn annually The Chairman of GE is on the teaching staff The Director reports directly to the Chairman Anyone nominated to a course must compulsorily attend or his cost is debited to his company and he has to show cause Courses form an integral part of a person’s growth and one must qualify by attending them
- 6. Because training makes good ‘business sense’ and warrants the most serious investment Because ‘Soft’ skills give the edge to the ‘Hard’ work of guarding our borders
- 7. Which skills & attitudes? Passion for the country & the Force To uphold the law at all times, everywhere To solve problems on their own To demonstrate integrity in all actions To speak the truth even when it is inconvenient to do so To put duty before self at all times in all places To work together with other colleagues & agencies To show concern for others, especially civilians To build positive relationships with community leaders Because we can only succeed with their help
- 8. “The General who has to actually fight the battle has already lost.” ~ Sun Tzu, Art of War The real battle is fought and won in the minds and hearts of the people….. And that takes love, not force