Hard skills vs soft skills: How to tell the difference
Summary
Soft skills vs hard skills isn’t just resume lingo. It’s how we talk about two aspects of the same concept: what you know and how you work. If you want to grow in your career, understanding the difference is important.
We all bring a mix of talents to the table. Some are obvious, like computer programming or project management. Others are less visible, like how we handle feedback or work with team members under pressure. That’s the heart of the hard skills vs soft skills conversation. Knowing the difference between hard skills and soft skills helps you speak more clearly about your strengths, your growth areas, and what makes you stand out.
In this article, we’ll discuss both types of skills, share practical examples of hard skills vs soft skills, and show how to use them in work environments, from leading a project to solving problems as a team.
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Hard skills vs soft skills
Hard skills are the technical abilities you can measure, like computer programming, analyzing data, or speaking a foreign language. They’re specific tasks often learned through education or training programs, and they’re usually the types of skills listed on a resume.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are less about what you know and more about how you work. Think teamwork, effective communication, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. They’re the traits that help teams gel, solve problems, and move fast together. While hard skills might get someone in the door, soft skills often determine how well they thrive.
What are hard skills?
A hard skill is the technical expertise required to do a specific job, like writing code, building reports, or designing graphics. You learn these skills through on-the-job training or online courses, and they’re often must-haves in job descriptions. One key difference between hard and soft skills is that hard skills tend to evolve as roles, tools, and industries change. Below are some examples of hard skills that remain in demand across different fields.
Examples of hard skills:
Graphic design
Human resources
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Writing and editing
Programming languages (like Python, Java, JavaScript)
Network security
Cloud computing
UX design
Data analysis
Forecasting
Microsoft Office
Project management
Foreign language proficiency
What are soft skills?
Soft skills are personal traits and people skills that shape how you work with others, adapt to change, and handle challenges. They influence how well you communicate, lead, and collaborate, especially in team settings. One key difference between soft and hard skills is that soft skills develop through experience, not formal training. Here are some common examples of soft skills that help teams work better together.
Examples of soft skills:
Communication skills
Teamwork
Adaptability
Problem-solving
Emotional intelligence
Time management
Active listening
Leadership skills
Strategic thinking
Adaptability
Conflict resolution
Interpersonal skills
How to use hard and soft skills in the workplace
When it comes to collaboration in work environments, the difference between hard skills and soft skills matters less than how you apply them together. Hard skills help you execute; soft skills help you adapt, lead, and work well with others.
At Asana, we asked team members to share how they use both skills in their day-to-day work. These real-world examples of hard and soft skills show how Asana creates strong, collaborative teams.
Examples of soft skills in the workplace
1. Strategic thinking
“I use strategic thinking to prioritize features and communicate decisions clearly. Writing down the 'why' behind each choice helps my team stay aligned and provides useful context later.” —Benson Perry, Product Manager
2. Organization
“I stay organized by setting 4–5 key tasks for each day. It helps me stay focused despite constant emails and ad hoc requests.” —Michael A. Armstrong, Social Impact Program Manager
Read: 25 essential project management skills you need to succeed3. Collaboration
“Great collaboration depends on clear communication and active listening. Keeping an open mind helps us reach better, faster outcomes.” —Scott Lonardo, Product and Marketing Counsel
Read: 10 easy steps to boost team collaboration4. Empathy
“Empathy is key to cultural competence. We need to understand others’ lived experiences and meet them where they are—not where we are.” —Liliana Blanco, Inclusion and Belonging Program Manager
Read: Asana’s approach to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity5. Leadership
“Leadership means spotting opportunities—for your team, your org, or your community—and acting on them. Sometimes they’re subtle, but always powerful.” —Richard Yee, Engineering Manager
6. Time management
“To meet deadlines, I break big projects into smaller pieces, assign clear owners, and track everything in one place. It keeps everyone aligned.” —Maggie Kuo, Digital Marketing Project Manager
Read: 18 time management tips, strategies, and quick wins to get your best work done7. Accountability
“I leave daily updates on tasks, mark work as complete, and defer what I can’t finish yet. That way, my team always knows where things stand.” —Sam Ayoko, System Engineer
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Examples of hard skills in the workplace
1. Data science
“We use data to guide everything from roadmap priorities to feature adoption. It helps us stay focused on high-impact work.” —Annie Lee, Engineering Manager
2. Creative brief development
“A strong creative brief outlines the vision and audience clearly while leaving room for creative collaboration. It’s the foundation for a successful launch.” —Michael Chen, Product Marketing Manager
Read: The complete guide to writing creative briefs3. UX design
“My core UX skill is understanding the audience. When I tailor my message to coworkers’ priorities and needs, my research has more impact.” —Leah Rader, UXR Manager
4. SEO
“SEO requires analyzing data and aligning with partners. One moment, I’m deep in metrics; the next, I collaborate with writers or designers.” —Calvin Lam, SEO Manager
5. Multilingual communication
“Being bilingual helps me bridge teams across languages and cultures. I can lead meetings in English or Spanish and connect with teammates globally.” —María, Localization Project Manager
Building your skill set
Like all good things, developing your skill set takes time. Some of these skills come with work experience—others may be things you’re already proficient in. You may even have skills you didn’t even think of as specialized skills until now.
Looking at a skills list can be intimidating, but remember to take it one at a time. When in doubt, pick a new skill to learn and focus on developing that skill set for a while. If you’re ready to start, learn how to build your status reporting, remote collaboration, or constructive criticism skills today.
Decision-making tools for agile businesses
In this ebook, learn how to equip employees to make better decisions—so your business can pivot, adapt, and tackle challenges more effectively than your competition.
