Which of the following is a characteristic of soft skills?

Soft skills are indeed often harder to measure than hard skills. While hard skills can often be quantitatively assessed through tests, certifications, or specific educational backgrounds, soft skills are more subjective and tied to interpersonal interactions and emotional intelligence. For instance, qualities like communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving can vary greatly from one individual to another, making them less straightforward to evaluate. The subtleties involved in assessing how someone collaborates with a team or handles conflict contribute to this complexity.

In contrast, the other answer choices focus on aspects that define hard skills or misrepresent the nature of soft skills. Soft skills are not purely technical and cannot be gained solely through education, as they often develop through experience and social interactions. They also do not focus only on individual performance; rather, they significantly involve collaboration and communication with others. Furthermore, soft skills play a crucial role in team dynamics, fostering an environment conducive to cooperation and productivity.