Following the widespread breakdown of trust in business, soft skills are starting to find their way – at last – into business schools. The concept that traditional business skills must be balanced by C21st skills, with students learning the process and appreciating the value of ethical decision-making, is gaining currency.
Canada is one of the countries taking the lead. This is happening because the business environment demands it, according to Sherry Weaver of Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary, and consequently:
Dealing with ambiguity and developing critical thinking skills is something that we are embedding throughout the curriculum.
Hugh Munro of Wilfred Laurier University’s MBA program recognises that,
the technical part of business is table stakes today
…and students need soft skills on top of this.
Dr Chandrashekaran, of the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, believes business education is at a crossroads.
If UK business schools follow this lead, and take a new road, perhaps a new generation will be born.
If not, we can expect business as usual.