Ursula Fear

Health and Work Readiness—Who Carries the Cost of Managing the Critical Soft Skills Gap Before Talent is Employed?

​

Ursula tackles a pressing issue in today's workforce—the significant gap in soft skills that many new employees exhibit, particularly skills related to mental health and work readiness. In an era where employers increasingly value attributes like emotional intelligence, resilience, and effective stress management, Ursula explores the challenges of addressing these gaps before new talent is fully integrated into the workplace.

​

Her talk delves into the growing expectation that employers should take responsibility for nurturing these skills, even before employees officially start. This raises critical questions about accountability: Should educational institutions better prepare students for the emotional and mental challenges of the professional world? Should companies bear the cost of developing these competencies as part of their onboarding process? Or should individuals themselves take ownership of acquiring these crucial skills as they prepare to enter the job market?

Drawing on her extensive experience with Salesforce’s talent programmes, Ursula presents a strategic view of how companies can successfully navigate this issue. She offers insights into Salesforce's initiatives, showcasing effective models that have been employed to help bridge the soft skills gap. These initiatives include mental health awareness workshops, resilience training, and programmes that focus on emotional intelligence—designed to enhance the well-being and readiness of incoming talent.

Ursula also examines the delicate balance between fostering a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and ensuring that business performance remains uncompromised. She highlights how preparing employees to manage their mental health does not just benefit individuals, but also contributes to overall organisational success. By building a resilient workforce capable of handling stress, companies can reduce turnover, improve productivity, and create a positive workplace culture that supports long-term growth.

Her discussion will include practical approaches that businesses can adopt to cultivate these skills effectively. She explores partnerships with educational institutions to align curricula with workplace needs, mentoring and coaching programmes that target specific soft skills, and the development of a culture that values mental well-being from day one. Additionally, Ursula touches upon the importance of aligning these efforts with corporate goals, ensuring that investments in talent readiness translate into measurable returns for the organisation.

Ursula’s insights are crucial for HR professionals, talent managers, and organisational leaders seeking to understand who should carry the cost of developing critical soft skills and how to create a proactive strategy that prepares new hires for the realities of modern work. By addressing these gaps early, companies can ensure a smoother transition for new talent, resulting in a more adaptable, resilient, and mentally prepared workforce that enhances both individual and organisational success.