Soft Skills

By Lara Smart ChFCIPPdip

We all need Soft skills to navigate our personal and professional lives. We value them before we even know or understand the term. They can’t be learnt theoretically but rather, are learnt, experienced and then practiced.

One of the best ways to develop soft skills is to meet and overcome challenges and step out of our comfort zone. These ask more of us and require that we learn and grow in order to accomplish them.

A Manager, a leader, a team member, all require soft skills and these attribute to the behaviours that we want our people to be great at.

These are personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people – also known as the non-technical skills.

The education approach differs for Soft skills which are met through learning, while Technical needs are met through training.

• Learning:         Modifying behaviours (soft skills)
• Training:         Learning something new from start to finish i.e. process.

Essential soft skills:

To name a few; Communication, adaptability / agility, interpersonal, problem solving, teamwork, planning and organising, time management, decision making, coaching feedback, difficult conversations, high challenge, high support, work ethic, integrity, self-awareness and a growth mindset.

Why are they important?

We use these soft skills / people skills to influence how well we can work together and interact with others. They make it easier to form relationships with people, create trust and dependability as well as lead teams. All of these can be tested during recruitment for a business. 

Many businesses will have competency models as a way to articulate what they are. They can also be referred to as values or principles and this is a standard way of seeing how well people are doing.

People management skills:

Characteristics such as integrity, reliability, benevolence and tenacity will help you to nurture and navigate relationships. We will consistently call upon our people skills when managing stakeholders, colleagues, our boss, team, partners such as Vendors and outsourcers and key corporate functions (IT, legal, finance, tax, treasury).

Communicating well will support the importance of speaking the language of key stakeholders, in order to gain buy-in and the many nuances that constitute an effective communications plan.

sEmotional Intelligence & Self-awareness

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, use and manage your emotions to empathise, communicate effectively, diffuse conflict and overcome challenges. Leaders with high EQ are able to build stronger relationships and achieve personal and professional goals. It is a skill that can be developed and strengthened through practice and can be achieved through self-management, self-awareness, social awareness and relationship management.

Cultural Intelligence (CQ)

Cultural intelligence allows us to relate to the collective perceptions and social norms while communicating effectively with people from other cultures. Culturally competent leaders possess an understanding of behaviours, beliefs and underlying mindsets that drive an ability to interact effectively in cross culture situations. According to a Harvard business review study, Western European and North American companies focus on results and goals, where as Asia focus on contributing without upsetting a group harmony. A global mindset, and the ability to see things from multiple perspectives will serve leaders for success.

Inclusive Leadership

Care about and appreciate people. By doing this, you will invest your time in helping people feel like they belong and this encourages efficiency through collective intelligence. Practice self-awareness and ask for feedback, for when we are mindful of our own biases, we become more inclusive.

Communication

There are 4 types of communication:

1. Verbal
2. Non Verbal
3. Written
4. Visual

Consider using a combination of all four communication approaches when delivering important information. Not everyone is the same and others may receive communication better in different ways.

The majority of people are visual learners with an estimated retention of 80% of what they see, versus 20% see and 10% hear. In a deadline driven, multi tasking industry, where attention spans can be short, graphics are always welcome, think emoji 😊

Listening Skills

Listening is one of the most important skills we have. How well we listen has a vast impact on our relationships and effectiveness. Those with strong listening skills improve their productivity and therefore ability to influence. You’re also more likely to stand a better chance of avoiding conflict and misunderstandings. There are 5 stages to active listening:

1. Pay attention
   1. Carefully
   1. Avoid distractions and what is going on around you

• Show that you are listening
  • Nod occasionally (but avoid giving the impression that you are agreeing with what is being said)
  • Smile and use other facial expressions

• Provide feedback
  • Ask questions
  • Summarise

• Defer judgement
  • Allow them to finish prior to asking questions
  • Don’t interrupt

• Respond appropriately
  • Provide your opinions respectfully
  • Be open and honest

Improving your soft skills is a simple strategy of self-awareness and reflection, seeking feedback, stepping outside of your comfort zone and finding learning and development opportunities. These will no doubt put you on a path to your own success!