Diagnosis of soft skills in teachers of TecNM-Tlahuac to support improvement actions

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the level of soft skills—communication, emotional intelligence, and teamwork—among faculty members in the Department of Economic and Administrative Sciences at TecNM-Tláhuac, using a diagnostic questionnaire to inform strategies for improving faculty development. A Likert-type instrument with 20 items on a 1-7 scale was used, where 1 represents "never" and 7 represents "always." A descriptive statistical analysis was performed, including measures of central tendency and dispersion.

Overall, the results showed that teachers demonstrated a high level of soft skills development, exceeding the expected intermediate level. In the area of ​​communication, respectful interaction and active listening were observed, although there was room for improvement in nonverbal communication and motivational expression. Regarding emotional intelligence, the highest scores were related to emotional control, kindness even in adverse situations, and self-assessment skills. Finally, teamwork was characterized by collaborative integration, conflict resolution, and institutional commitment, although participation in institutional activities varied among the teachers.

This study establishes that faculty members in the Department of Economic and Administrative Sciences at TecNM/Tláhuac possess highly developed soft skills that contribute to a positive organizational climate. However, areas for improvement have been identified related to interpersonal motivation and consistent institutional participation. Based on these findings, it is proposed to expand the research to other academic departments within the institution to gain a comprehensive understanding and to integrate faculty development programs that strengthen institutional growth.