An online MBA significantly enhances both attitude and skills, which are crucial for career progression. The flexibility and interactive nature of online learning foster a positive and adaptable mindset, which is essential for navigating the fast-changing work environment.

An Online MBA develops critical thinking, leadership, and interpersonal skills through collaborative projects and discussions. This dual focus ensures that students not only possess the technical competencies required for their roles, but also the right attitude to continuously learn, adapt, and lead effectively. The combination of these attributes makes professionals more competitive, opens up diverse career opportunities, and accelerates their advancement in the corporate world.

The fast-changing work demands are only making the hiring dilemma – whether to go for attitudes or skills-more complex. But there are others who feel weighing between hard skills and the right attitude is a tough call. They look for cases where attitudes blend with the skills in the right proportion. This right balance is gaining ground of late.

Attitudes Last a Lifetime

“Skills lasts a duration; attitude lasts a lifetime.” So goes a saying. When work scenarios change, organizations want employees to adapt and become competitive. The right attitude wins here. For instance, an organization may ask its employees to upskill in certain areas.  Those who possess a learning attitude will comply with this fast and get adapted to the change, whereas others may lag behind. Even to learn, upskill or upgrade, you need an attitude. Right attitudes lead to the right mindset, and this scripts success stories. A positive attitude motivates and boosts productivity, and also helps to sail through difficult situations.  The right attitude also helps better collaboration, sets a new work culture and avoids cultural misfits.

Skill Sets Are the Key

“Skill is essentially competency in something that has been developed, usually through study and practice.” Skills are acquired through education. Through experience and practice, these skills get improved. A skilled employee is more productive compared to the rest. For these reasons, hiring never happens without considering one’s skills. Unlike attitudes, skills are visible and can be verified. Skills can be taught & developed, but attitudes are difficult to change.

Combining Attitudes and Skills

(Late) Herb Kehller, former CEO of Southwest Airlines, America, once said, that the right strategy of recruitment could be “Hire for attitude and train for skill” This implies his preference towards a combination of skills and attitude in the hiring process. His observation also reflects the general perception that technical skills can be mastered over time, but not the attitudes.

Attitudes Too Can Be Mastered

The popular belief that attitude is inherent and that it cannot be cultivated or improved is changing, thanks to the popularity of MBA education.  ICFAI Online MBA program allows the student to think critically and identify opportunities. During the online engagements, the students collaborate, discuss and debate (e.g. projects, breakout rooms, WhatsApp chat) They also learn leadership and interpersonal skills. All of these help the students to develop and improve their attitudes. The way the students look at things, react to situations, involving others in arriving at decisions etc. can be improved. Therefore, during this learning and interactive process, a student’s state of mind begins to reflect positive things and it can lead to refinement in one’s attitude. As Winston Churchill said,” Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”.  

The Last word

The right mix of skills and attitudes open up the career avenue for candidates and also helps them to climb up the ladder. Wherever something is missing, be it in skills or attitude, it can be acquired and added.  

Learners’ Opportunity    

ICFAI Online MBA, apart from imparting the subjects, introduces the learner to positive attitudes like an optimistic outlook, willingness to make an impact, proactiveness, teamwork and entrepreneurial mindset.  For more details, check our program https://online.ifheindia.org/

Discussion Question       

According to you, what should dominate a hiring decision? Attitudes, Skills or 50:50? Why?

Source Article

1. ET-HR World- The Great Dilemma: Hiring for attitude or skills? – conomictimes.indiatimes.com- Sep 28, 2022 (https://hrsea.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/the-great-dilemma-hiring-for-attitude-or-skills/94482396)

2. Neurowork- Abilities Vs Skills: What’s More Important When Hiring?- https://www.neuroworx.io/- https://www.neuroworx.io/magazine/abilities-vs-skills/

3. Studysmarter- Attitude in the Workplace- https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/

4. Vijay Jain- Attitude VS Skills – What will you choose? – March 7, 2020

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/attitude-vs-skills-what-you-choose-vinay-jain/