By Francis

Copyright thebftonline

Once upon a time, job hunting in was simple. You had a degree? Congratulations—automatic respect, automatic employment, automatic bragging rights at Christmas family gatherings. Your aunties would whisper, “That one? He’s an engineer in Accra now.”

Fast forward to today: you can have two degrees, three diplomas, and a certificate in “Advanced PowerPoint Animations,” and still be unemployed—or underemployed. Why? Because the job market has changed. And what separates the people who get hired, promoted, and paid is no longer just technical skills. It’s soft skills.

Yes—those things your parents once dismissed as “talking too much” or “smiling too often” are now hard currency. Let’s break it down.

Communication: the new oil

Forget crude oil; communication is the resource that fuels today’s workplace. Whether you’re in Lagos pitching investors, in Nairobi leading a team, or in Accra explaining why the office Wi-Fi is slower than molasses, your ability to speak clearly is priceless.

Employers don’t just want someone who can do the work; they want someone who can explain the work—to colleagues, clients, and even skeptical journalists.

And no, mumbling during meetings and sending emails that look like ransom notes doesn’t count. Crisp, clear, human communication does.

Emotional intelligence: the real MBA

Some people walk into a room and instantly kill the vibe. Others walk in and somehow make everyone relax. That’s emotional intelligence—knowing how to read people, manage your emotions, and handle tricky situations without starting World War III in the office WhatsApp group.

In Africa, where workplaces often mix age, hierarchy, and culture, emotional intelligence is more valuable than a stack of certificates. It’s what helps you disagree with your boss respectfully—or tell your colleague their jollof smells “interesting” without sparking HR drama.

Adaptability: surviving in the jungle

The modern African workplace is unpredictable. One day you’re working from a shiny office in Sandton; the next, you’re on Zoom with your generator humming in the background because NEPA “took light.”

Adaptability is your survival skill. Can you adjust when the boss changes direction suddenly? Can you stay calm when your client’s brief makes zero sense? Can you smile through power cuts during a presentation? If yes, congratulations—you’re already more employable than half the talent pool.

Teamwork: because lone rangers don’t get promoted

Let’s face it: no matter how brilliant you are, nobody likes working with a genius who acts like they’re allergic to other humans. Teamwork is not just about “being nice.” It’s about delivering results through collaboration.

Pro tip: in most offices, your reputation is built less on your brilliance and more on whether people actually enjoy working with you. Be the person who lifts others, not the one who hoards information like it’s gold in Fort Knox.

Problem-solving: the African advantage

Here’s the truth—we Africans are natural problem-solvers. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a mechanic in Kumasi repair a tyre with nothing but brawn, a screwdriver, and divine inspiration.

Employers love that energy. But in today’s job market, it’s not enough to solve problems quietly—you must also communicate how you solved them. That’s how you turn your creativity into career currency.

Why soft skills = hard cash

Soft skills are no longer “optional extras.” They are the differentiators. Two people may have the same degree, the same technical ability, but the one who can lead a meeting, calm a client, inspire a team, and handle stress with grace is the one who gets the bigger paycheck and the corner office.

In other words: soft skills are hard currency. And in today’s job market, they’re the difference between being “that guy who knows Excel” and “that leader we can’t afford to lose.”

So, if you’re polishing your CV, don’t just list your technical abilities. Work on your communication, emotional intelligence, adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving. These are the true currencies of career growth.

Because in Africa’s fast-changing, unpredictable, always-connected job market, employers don’t just want workers. They want people who can inspire, connect, and deliver.

And that’s why soft skills will always pay—sometimes more than your hard ones.

>>> Kafui Dey helps business leaders to communicate better. For one-to-one coaching, call +233 240 299 122 or email kafuidey.mc@gmail.com