Direct instruction of inter- and intrapersonal skills for business education

Soft skills are highly sought by employers and linked to academic and personal success. Employers lament a perceived “skills gap” in new graduates, but few studies have examined faculty perspectives on soft skills. A survey of business faculty across the United States explored how they are teaching students in these areas. The findings show that most faculty believe soft skills are important and are integrating them into their courses. Methods for teaching soft skills are varied, but “passive” approaches like readings and lectures are generally most prominent.