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Durable Skills Series: Post 1: The What, Why, and How of Durable Skills

Durable skills are hard to teach and are even harder to measure. Yet these skills are necessary for effective teamwork and inter (and intra) professional collaboration. Durable skills do not become outdated or obsolete. You know when someone has these skills–and definitely when they do not. In this short post, we outline what durable skills are, why you need them, and how to get them.

By Dawn Giesbrecht, Chantal Lecuyer, Getahun Lombamo, Sheryl Mills, and Amrinderbir Singh

What are “durable skills"?

You may have heard of “soft skills”[1] and professional transferable skills. Durable skills are skills that last a lifetime and are used in all workplace environments–and often in your personal life as well. Durable skills are required for success in all professions and positions.

“Durable skills take the old concept of soft skills and expand it across the various attributes required to interact with others and be successful in the workplace. Skills such as teamwork, collaboration, negotiation, critical thinking, initiative, risk-taking, creativity, adaptability, leadership, cognitive flexibility and problem-solving are just some of the many durable skills.”[2]

Why develop durable skills?

The 8 Most Common Root Causes of Medical Errors states that, “Communication breakdowns are the most common causes of medical errors. Whether verbal or written, these issues can arise in a medical practice or a healthcare system and can occur between a physician, nurse, healthcare team member, or patient. Poor communication often results in medical errors.”[3]

Currently “85% of job success comes from having well-developed soft and people skills, while just 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge.”[4] From a review of 82 million job postings, America Succeeds found that approximately seven out of ten requested skills were durable skills. Although healthcare-focused educational programs tend to emphasize clinical skills and knowledge, durable skills are what employers are looking for in addition to the technical and clinical skills.

9 Soft Skills Employers Want in 2023 states that soft (and durable) skills “in the workplace are more important than ever.”[5] Durable skills/soft skills are, well, durable. “Hard skills” (clinical and technical skills) are often “perishable'’, requiring regular practice and retraining in addition to keeping up with evolving technologies and approaches. Often this retraining is available through continuing education.[6]

Academic programs and accrediting bodies ensure that graduates are proficient in hard skills, that graduates are individually competent, and, although there are often accreditation requirements that include durable skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership, you are less likely to find an OSCE[7] that tests for competence in these areas–and there is little to no testing for collective competence.

How to develop and practice durable skills

You can’t learn durable skills by listening to lectures or viewing webinars.

“Durable skills won’t be successfully conferred in a one-and-done format. No single webinar or panel discussion will teach a student or employee soft skills. The best methods are flexible, short, and frequent. Online learning is considered one of the best types of training because it provides dialogue simulation that allows students and employees to practice the skills they’re learning.”[8]

Durable skills differ from the “hard skills” that are more traditionally taught, measured, and credentialed. Because effective interprofessional collaboration is necessary for high-functioning healthcare teams, IPE events focus on durable skills and collective competence. Durable skills might not be as dramatic or “sciency” as clinical skills. However, given that clinical errors and negative patient outcomes, for example, are often traced back to poor communication rather than a lack of technical or clinical skills, durable skills proficiency is crucial for healthcare professionals.

Seek out opportunities to:

  • Observe others
  • Do team projects–lots of them! Ask your teammates for feedback
  • Participate in team science and contribute to collaborative research
  • Develop and use your leadership skills
  • Practice your communication skills
  • Work with diverse groups
  • Get into the community
  • Consciously manage your time and projects.

When you do assignments, note the skills you used to get the job done. Be honest with yourself about your durable skills.[9] Look for opportunities that provide feedback (not just marks) and “second chances”. Watch others and video and audio record yourself as often as you can–and then review these recordings.[10] 😉 

Bottom Line

  1. Consciously WANT to develop your durable skills. Everyone can improve.
  2. Durable skills can be developed through practice and enhanced with feedback. Look for opportunities to practice. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback.
  3. These are the skills you are going to use day in and day out. This won’t change. You will always need to be skilled at communicating and negotiating, working on teams, problem-solving, etc.
  4. Assess your skill levels. What skills do you already have? Be honest with yourself.
  5. Where can you get opportunities to practice these skills? For example, look at SITEs and PFNs as opportunities to practice and further develop your durable skills. (More on this in a future post. 😊)
  6. Record yourself in meetings.
  7. Watch how others interact. This is a great way to learn what to do–and what not to do!
  8. Accurately identify areas where additional practice would be beneficial.

In summary, durable skills are essential for high-functioning professionals. It is not enough to “know your stuff” without knowing how to communicate what you know, negotiate with others and collaborate effectively. Practice, practice, practice…and practice!

 

[1] Sometimes soft skills are referred to with a disparaging tone, like they are not as important as hard skills. This may be because we typically acquire hard skills via formal education or development programs, “hard skills” were historically associated with mastery and expertise–often because they are easier to measure and assess than durable skills!

[2] What Are Durable Skills And Why Is There A Shortage?

[3] The other seven causes of medical errors are: Inadequate information flow, Human problems, Patient-related issues, Organizational transfer of knowledge, Staffing patterns and workflow, Technical failures, Inadequate policies.

[4] How to define skills: What every HR needs to know

[5] 9 Soft Skills Employers Want in 2023 list the following skills that employers are looking for: creative problem solving and innovation, communication skills, time management, a growth mindset, emotional intelligence, collaboration, adaptability, active listening, and leadership.

[6] This post provides examples of annual training and practice required for army medics.

[7] Objective structured clinical examinations are generally carried out uni-professionally. Additionally, communication for example, while a durable skill, most likely is focused on communicating with clients or patients and not with colleagues.

[8] Importance of Durable ("Soft") Skills for Professionals

[9] It is interesting to note that the majority of drivers think that they are above average. Illusory superiority “is a condition of cognitive bias wherein a person overestimates their own qualities and abilities, in relation to the same qualities and abilities of other people.” It extends to other skills as well–it isn’t limited to driving. You catch my drift…😏

[10] Read The Effect of the Butterfly for more ideas.