Some businesses find that their new employees lack in basic interpersonal skills such as lack of ability to work with colleagues as a team. What are the causes and suggest possible solutions. Also provide relevant examples from your experience.

( written by Sakshi in her IELTS exam dated 28th July 2011)

“A new broom sweeps well, but an old broom knows the corners.”

In today’s scenario, every student wants to do job after completing studies. Consequently, it is generally observed in the field of work that they lack basic interpersonal skills such as ability to work with colleagues due to less team spirit. This essay shall delve into the causes of this problem and I shall put forth some relevant solutions.

To begin with, only new employees are not to blame for their lack of basic skills. In fact, the new employees suffer a complete change in environment. When they are subjected to work field from the learning environment, then sometimes they fail to adjust to the new one. Moreover, the education system is also responsible to some extent. In our system, it is more important to get good marks rather than to have any other skill. Also practical education does not have much importance. In short, the system insists to learn theoretical portion rather than the practical one which is the basic requirement to do any job. What is more, nowadays competition among students is also at its peak. Consequently, there is lack of team spirit among students and so, later they find it difficult to work as a team. 

Like other problems, it also has some possible solutions. Firstly, the old employees and employers should provide friendly surroundings to their new colleagues. Secondly, the education system should be improved. Students should be made excellent in practical. Thirdly, there must be proper training session after every course completion, even for the students who want to become teachers. Finally, there must be additional classes of communication skills and debate competitions from time to time. Also, students should be given team projects as it would teach them the skills of co-operation and co-ordination.

From my experience of life, we had a mathematics teacher, who was a scholar in her school time, but she lacked the ability to present her views. Also she did not have good rapport with other teachers. So, she had to resign from her job. Inspite of her higher degrees she was unable to get a job. 

To put it a nutshell, it is undeniable fact that the new employees may lack the basic interpersonal skills but improvement in educational system and co-operative behaviour of colleagues can help to overcome the problem.