Soft skills rarely get the attention they deserve, but that doesn't mean that they're not valuable in the workplace. More and more, organizations are recognizing how soft skills in the workplace differentiate great employees (and businesses) from good ones. Author Peggy Klaus summed it up well when she said: "soft skills get little respect, but they will make or break your career".

LinkedIn recently published a list of the most in-demand soft skills, with leadership, communication, collaboration, and time management on the podium. Many people still think of these skills as innate qualities – you know, you're either born with them, or you're not. Fortunately, all of the most in-demand soft skills can be trained and developed.

It's time to recognize that soft skills are just as valuable as hard skills. Because without the right soft skills, organizations suffer from issues like poor leadership, weak problem-solving and miscommunication. The final result? Organizations that are held back from reaching their full potential.