In simple terms soft skills are non-technical interaction and communication skills, although some skills have part-technical attributes and dimensions. Soft skills could be described as triggers and enablers for effective and harmonious interaction between single people, groups and crowds.
Soft skills are the future, because as humanity evolves what we have deep inside is becoming more and more important than the shallow crust like learnt hard skills. Nearly anyone, if given the right learning environment, can learn almost any hard skill, which is why companies choose to educate these skills themselves, however what you cannot teach and educate as easily are soft skills.
People who invest in understanding their own soft skills, strengths and weaknesses, not only gain from the awareness growth, they deliver a major statement of intent, as they will be more attractive to businesses in the near- and long-term future.