10 soft skills to excel in your life
Many lack the soft skills which are needed to effectively communicate, problem-solve, collaborate and organise. These skills are becoming more and more important for success, as the workplace evolves socially and technologically. Recruiters and employment experts report a “soft skills gap,” especially among young workers who are more accustomed to texting than talking, which forces organizations to hire candidates who fall short on interpersonal abilities.
Why soft skills matter?
To get, and keep, a job you typically need a range of technical skills. Doctors need to know how to treat diseases; accountants need to be certified etc. Technical skills will help you get your foot in the doorway, but people skills will carry you from there by opening more doors for you. Your work ethics, dedication, communication skills and emotional quotients are very important. Why? Think. Which dentist you go to? One who is positive and upbeat and who is willing to help? Or one who is inflexible and not ready to admit mistakes? It’s not only technical skills, but soft skills also matter.
10 important soft skills to excel in your life.
1. Growth mindset
Looking at any situation, especially difficult situations, as an opportunity for you to learn, grow, and change for the better. Focusing your attention on self-improvement instead of changing others or blaming anyone.
Imagine for a second that you’re having a terrible day. When you woke up this morning, you were so late for work. In your half-asleep, you drove to work, jumped a red light and bumped into a car. To make matters worse, your boss gave you a telling off when you got to work.
Someone without a growth mindset would, in this scenario, put themselves down over such mishaps. They will blame themselves for being careless. And come to question their abilities at work, which means they will put less effort into their next project. It’s a downward spiral from there.
But someone with a growth mindset will try harder the next time, because their boss’ negative feedback didn’t put them down. They’re also likely to be more cautious in ensuring they get up earlier, and drive more carefully. They’d see the day as a chance to grow and learn from their mistakes, and not as a failure.
2. Self-awareness
Knowing and understanding what angers, motivates, embarrasses, frustrates or inspires you. Being able to observe yourself objectively in difficult situations and understanding how you perceive yourselves, others and situations driving your actions.
“Check in” with yourself. Set aside time in your day to assess your emotional state. Ask yourself a series of questions and answer them honestly.
Tag your emotions. Once you determine what and how you feel, if you learn to tag these emotions, it can help you identify the source or “cause” of negative feelings. Some common examples of tags for emotions include anger, fear, surprise and passion. Write down the tags for your emotions, along with your thoughts on what you think triggered that particular emotion. Once you identify the source of a feeling and see it on paper, it becomes clearer what you need to do to improve your response to a trigger.
Be in the moment. “Listen” to what your emotions and feelings might be telling you at any given moment.
3. Emotional quotient
Being able to manage your emotions, especially negative ones, at work (e.g. anger, frustration, awkwardness) so you can think clearly and objectively, and act accordingly.
“Reactions are always instinctive, whereas responses are always well thought of, just and right to save a situation from going out of hands, to avoid cracks in relationship, to avoid taking decisions in anger, anxiety, stress or hurry” – The Cockroach Theory.
4.Self-confidence
Believing in yourself and your ability to accomplish anything. Knowing that all you need is within you now.
“Look inside yourself. You are more than what you have become” –The Lion King.
5. Stress management
Being able to stay healthy, calm, and balanced in any challenging situation. Knowing how to reduce your stress levels will increase your productivity, prepare you for new challenges and support your physical and emotional health, all of which you need for a fulfilling, successful career.
6. Pliability
Being able to bounce back after a disappointment or set back, big or small. And the ability to continue to move onward and upward.
7. To forgive and forget
Being able to forgive yourself for making a mistake, forgive others who wronged you, and ability to move on without emotional baggage. Freeing your mind from the past so you can focus 100% of your mental energy on your near and long-term career goals.
8. Persistence and perseverance
Being able to maintain the same energy and dedication in your effort to learn, do, and achieve things in your career, despite difficulties, failures, and opposition.
“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with the problems longer.” – Swami Vivekananda.
9. Patience
Being able to step back in a seemingly rushed or crisis situation, so you can think clearly and take actions that fulfil your long term goals. It takes time to do worthwhile things, so those who lack the patience to persist will fail to accomplish much.
“Nothing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig. I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.” – Epictetus, Philosopher.
10. Perceptiveness
Giving attention and understanding unspoken cues and underlying nuances of other people’s communication and actions. Often, we are too busy thinking about ourselves and what we are saying that we leave little room to watch and understand others’ actions and intentions. If you misinterpret others’ intentions, you can easily encounter difficulties dealing with people and not even know why.