This is particularly true when it comes to psychosocial skills known as “soft skills” or “durable skills.” These include capabilities like critical thinking, problem solving, and lifelong learning that aren’t always specifically taught but are crucial for success. In fact, the U.S. Department of Justice found that companies actually look for these competencies when hiring new employees to get a competitive edge.

Dr. Gavin Goldstein is a lawyer and an assistant professor of management and law at Touro University Graduate School of Business (GSB), where he actively helps students to build soft skills in the classes he teaches. “These are essential skills in the workplace,” he shares. “Durable skills have guided me in my law career and after getting my Ph.D. in Business Management, so I can attest to their importance.”

He notes that critical thinking and writing have been particularly valuable in both his position as a lawyer and as a professor. “These capabilities have played an instrumental role in all aspects of my work and have really helped to steer me on my journey,” he says. “They’re exceptionally important to be successful in business.”

Research backs that up, with Harvard University finding well-developed soft skills are responsible for 85% of job success. Plus, as AI edges into the workplace, these skills will likely increase in demand, with Deloitte predicting roughly 63% of jobs will require them by 2030. Mastering these soft skills may eventually dictate not only what kind of job you have—but if you have a job at all.

If you’re looking to give yourself a competitive edge in the workplace, keep reading to learn more about some of the durable skills employers value most and why they matter. Then, find out how you can hone yours to boost your career in business.

Critical Thinking

In a world where there’s infinite information available, it’s more imperative than ever to be able to evaluate that information and put it to use in practical ways. That’s what critical thinking involves. “It’s about building habits of inquiry and analysis,” explains Dr. Goldstein. “It’s not enough to obtain information. You must understand it, digest it and apply it correctly, or the knowledge is useless.”

Employers agree, and more companies rank critical thinking as a core competency than any other skill, according to the World Economic Forum. Businesses also expect it to take on increasing importance, with the need for critical thinking projected to grow by 72% over the next five years.

Ethical Reasoning

Along with knowing how to process and apply information, there’s also a growing emphasis on using that data to make ethical and responsible choices. It’s known as ethical reasoning and is simply a matter of showing character and integrity in every professional decision and interaction. As Dr. Goldstein puts it, “It’s not just pursuit of profit; it’s pursuit of higher ground and doing better for your fellow humankind.”

Demonstrating ethical judgment also has organizational benefits like improving transparency, communication and team dynamics, making it valuable to employers. Plus, it builds credibility and fosters trust, leading to more positive work environments.

Lifelong Learning

As technology continues to revolutionize what “work” means, the ability to keep learning and adapt will be crucial for all employees moving forward. Globally, it’s estimated that as many as 375 million people will need to shift into new careers by 2030, and many more will need to develop new skills as their current roles evolve.  

It’s no wonder that companies are seeking out employees who’ve demonstrated adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning. Traits like a growth mindset and a focus on continuous improvement can help employees to thrive today and protect their jobs tomorrow. Similarly, companies that prioritize a culture of learning are 92% more like to innovate according to research from Deloitte.

Problem Solving

Problem solving actually goes hand in hand with critical thinking, taking the ability to think analytically and putting it into practice to overcome challenges or achieve goals. Dr. Goldstein stresses, “You have to look at the available information, figure out what it means and then apply it in the real world.” It’s a competency that also overlaps with ethical reasoning, using data to find solutions that are both effective and responsible.

When it comes to hiring recent graduates, NACE’s Job Outlook 2025 survey found that almost 90% of employers are looking for students who’ve demonstrated problem-solving abilities. The capability also ranked #9 on LinkedIn’s 2024 Most In-Demand Skills.

Writing

In his classes at Touro GSB, Dr. Goldstein mentions writing as one of the soft skills that comes up most—and for a good reason. “If you’re unable to write or communicate, knowledge is fairly useless,” he explains. This includes being able to clearly express ideas or share information through text, but it also involves knowing how to combine the written word with images or data—like tables or charts.

When it comes to employers, 77% say they prefer candidates who have proven written communication skills. Advanced literacy skills are only expected to become more important as AI automates manual work, leaving employees to focus on tasks that require higher cognitive capabilities.

Touro University Graduate School of Business Digital Badges

In spite of the fact that durable skills are in such high demand in the workplace, they aren’t always taught in the classroom. Many universities focus on providing students with technical or industry-specific knowledge, leaving them to pick up soft skills on their own along the way.

However, Touro University Graduate School of Business takes a more intentional approach. Every class that our MBA and M.S. and Advanced Certificate students complete includes a combination of soft skills on which students are graded according to established rubrics. Once students earn an average of 90% or higher on four of the rubrics in four classes, they earn a badge that shows they’ve mastered a specific durable skill.

“This is unique to Touro GSB,” Dr. Goldstein muses. “I don’t know of any other school that offers anything like this. Badges are incorporated into the Touro GSB curriculum, so students earn them as they earn their degrees.”

The badges were developed based on guidance from the American Association of Colleges and Universities and are currently available in these nine high-value areas:

• Critical Thinking
• Ethical Reasoning
• Intercultural Knowledge
• Lifelong Learning
• Oral Presentation
• Problem Solving
• Quantitative Literacy
• Teamwork
• Writing

Each digital badge includes the issuing institution, the date it was earned, what criteria were required and evidence that the criteria were met. Badges can be posted on LinkedIn or social media, shared through an open backpack or included on a resume to let colleagues, employers and friends know about these new competencies and professional learning achievements.

“It lets our students show off, but it’s not just a marketing ploy,” stresses Dr. Goldstein. “It’s a sellable trait they can put on their resume or social media to highlight the specific skills at which they’ve excelled.” Essentially, it’s a way for students to differentiate themselves in a competitive job market. “We wanted to hammer home that our students graduate with these durable skills,” he expounds. “This is a way for students to prove to potential employers that they’ve developed an element of mastery.”

Touro GSB’s digital badges are currently open to any Graduate School of Business students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science or Advanced Certificate programs. If you’re interested in learning more about any of these programs or how Touro GSB helps to develop our students beyond a basic curriculum, contact us today. Together, we can build the skills you need to future-proof your career in business.