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| a meeting of the UPAA Board in Arizona |
Hard skills are the
technical abilities and knowledge needed to perform a job. Driving a car is a
complex skill, for example. On the other hand, soft skills are personal traits
that are just as important. If you are not the driver, for example, be a
polite, patient, and helpful passenger.
Soft skills are becoming
essential in the workplace. Together with good hard skills, you will have more
skills than your colleagues and stand out. Three became extremely helpful when
I sought to develop them.
The Three Most
Important Soft Skills
Here are the top three
soft skills that can help immensely:
Effective
Communication
Clear and concise
communication is the foundation of successful relationships and collaboration.
It delivers what you intend to say well, avoids misunderstandings, and builds
trust.
It includes paying full
attention, clarifying issues, and providing constructive feedback. It also necessitates using simple language, avoiding jargon, and tailoring the message to the
recipient.
Lastly, it is helpful to
remember that non-verbal communication strengthens or detracts from your words.
Body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions should not convey the
opposite.
Problem-solving and
Critical Thinking
We are brought into the
workplace to do routine tasks and solve problems when they
arise. Analyzing problems, identifying solutions, and making informed
decisions is a big part of the job.
First, it demonstrates
initiative. Brainstorming to generate a variety of ideas and solutions is a
first step. It includes gathering sufficient data and evaluating information
for decision-making.
Second, it means being
able to adapt to change. Flexibility and openness to new ideas and approaches
will help you find your way through analyzing problems and finding solutions.
Emotional
Intelligence
This soft skill is
crucial to building solid relationships and prospering in challenging
situations. It involves understanding and managing your emotions while doing
the same for others.
It requires
self-awareness of how emotions usually influence behavior. It also requires
empathy, understanding the feelings of others, and putting oneself in their shoes.
In addition, it means
developing healthy coping mechanisms during stressful situations. While
emotions are still poorly understood or managed, such situations
can arise.
How to Develop
These Soft Skills
NCR, IBM, and
SGV-Accenture trained me well in hard skills. Fortunately, they also included
basic training programs for soft skills. I tried to grow them more by joining
organizations, attending special soft skills training programs, and reading
books.
Joining Organizations
To improve my public
speaking skills, I joined the Toastmasters program. This ongoing workshop helps people develop confidence, clarity, and persuasiveness in oral
communication. The program also gives much practice time for active
listening, nonverbal communication, and conciseness. Most of the lessons apply to all types of communication. Being concise has helped my writing.
Both the debate format
and the table topics (for impromptu thinking) became vital in developing
problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Evaluating others’
speeches and program participants was a weekly opportunity to practice
emotional intelligence.
Aside from Toastmasters,
other organizations, including those I was allowed to lead and a couple I even
founded, gave me more opportunities to practice all three soft skills. I
recommend joining groups like alumni associations, industry associations, or groups
in a parish.
Attending Helpful
Training Programs
There are special
workshops that provide more than the essential soft skills training programs
offered by companies. If you can, look for special programs on:
Informed Decision-Making
Creative Thinking
Thinking Outside the Box
Structured Problem-Solving
Techniques (such as root-cause analysis, mind mapping, or decision trees)
Mindfulness and Meditation
(Stress Management)
Assertiveness Training (the
Middle between Aggression and Passivity)
When you choose a
training program, consider your learning style, goals, and budget. Also, select
those led by experienced trainers. Finally, make sure you spend your time and
money on those that provide opportunities for practice and feedback as part of
the program.
Reading Books
Reading articles and books
is my go-to learning style. Reading allows me to take as much time as I need to
mull over the ideas presented in the comfort of my chair or bed.
I asked Gemini to name
the best book for each soft skill. Here is what the Google AI app gave me:
1. “How to Talk So
Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine
Mazlish. This classic book may focus on communication with children, but the
lessons apply to all relationships.
2. “Think Like a
Freak: The Radical Economics of Everyday Life” by Steven D. Levitt and
Stephen J. Dubner. This book challenges conventional thinking and encourages
readers to approach problems from new perspectives.
3. “Emotional
Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ” by Daniel Goleman. This
groundbreaking book explores the importance of emotional intelligence and
offers practical strategies for developing it.
But I was most pleased
with Gemini’s last recommendation. As I mentioned in my article on personal
branding, the book was my Bible when I was working in the Philippines.
Stephen Covey’s
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” offers timeless principles for
self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication. I read and reread the
book and was even asked to deliver talks about it.
By developing these
three essential soft skills, you will be better equipped to succeed in your
career. They will help you build strong relationships with superiors,
colleagues, and clients in whatever size of a setting.
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