soft skills you need for success
TRANSCRIPT
Module One: Getting Started• Soft skills are those skills which allow
us to effectively work with others. No matter what your position, organization, or industry, you work with people! Taking the time to build effective soft skills can contribute to a more efficient, and more productive workplace.
Skill to do comes of doing.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Workshop Objectives
Discuss how soft skills are importan
t
Use soft skills to relate more
effectively
Apply soft skills
to specific
situations
Module Two: What are Soft Skills?• What are soft skills, anyway? Simply
put, soft skills are the personal attributes that allows us to effectively relate to others. These skills enhance our personal interactions and lead to greater job performance and satisfaction.
I think we all have empathy. We may not have the courage to display it.
Maya Angelou
Definition of Soft Skills
Communication Empathy
Networking Confidence
Empathy and the Emotional Intelligence Quotient
Self-awareness
Social awareness
Relationship management
Professionalism
Always reporting to
work on timeSpeaking clearly and politely to colleagues, customers, and
clientsStriving to meet high standards
Learned vs. Inborn Traits
They can be learned
Practice
Seek opportunities
Module Three: Communication • Communication is the most important
soft skill, because all other soft skills are built on the ability to communicate clearly and professionally. Communication is more than just sending a message – it is also the ability to receive messages, listen actively, and “hear” what isn’t being said.
The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.
Peter Drucker
Ways We Communicate
Verbal communication
Body language
Nonverbal communication
Improving Nonverbal Communication
70% nonverbal communication
Pay attention to how you use your body
Take time to notice your reaction to others
Listening
Receiving verbal and nonverbal messagesActive listening
Focused on the speaker
Openness and Honesty
Build relationship
s
Transparent
People can sense
dishonesty
Module Four: Teamwork
• Finding ways to build teams that accomplish what needs to be done in the most efficient and accurate manner is often challenging, especially when bringing together team members with diverse sets of hard and soft skills.
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.
Michael Jordan
Identifying Capabilities
Talent Skills
Resources
Get Into Your Role
Know what is expected of you
Use your communication skills
Know what it is not
Learn the Whole Process
Do not get
isolatedKnow what to expect from
othersBuild collaborative relationships
The Power of Flow
Fully immersed in an activityMinimize interruptions
High quality work
Module Five: Problem-Solving• Whether the problems you encounter
are big or small, you solve problems every day. Learning how to apply problem-solving skills helps not only to enhance productivity, but also helps to cultivate relationships by focusing on shared goals and solutions.
It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer.
Albert Einstein
Define the Problem
Symptom Larger issue
Take the time to define
Generate Alternative Solutions
Ask others
Discuss
Generate with a group
Evaluate the Plans
Fair treatment
Obstacles or problems
Narrow the list until the most workable plans are
found
Implementation and Re-Evaluation
Communicate clearly
Provide a timeline
Depending on the results
Module Six: Time Management• The ability to effectively manage your
time is key to productivity. You may not be able to create more time in your day, but applying time management skills can help you make the most of the time you do have!
Priority management is the answer we have to maximizing the time we have.
John C. Maxwell
The Art of Scheduling
Piecemeal
approach
Each task
Creates priorities
Prioritizing
Determine what is most important
Allocate resources for the most
importantKey when working
with others
Managing Distractions
Establish “open door” hoursLetting calls
go to voicemail
De-cluttering your
workspace
The Multitasking Myth
Attention is divided
30-40% more time
Miscommunication and errors
Module Seven: Attitude and Work Ethic• A positive attitude also serves you well
when you face challenges or setbacks – it breeds resilience. Coupled with a positive attitude, a strong work ethic helps you build strong relationships with team mates and superiors.
Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.
Albert Einstein
What Are You Working For?
Positive attitud
e
Personal goals
Group goals
Caring for Others vs Caring for Self
Shared goals with those we work
withCare of ourselves = care for others
Everyone is interconnected
Building Trust
Everyone will thrive
Openness and
honesty
Continuously
demonstrate
Work Is Its Own Reward
You will gain financially and professionally
Engaged and trustworthy
Practice gratitude
Module Eight: Adaptability/Flexibility• Two of the most important skills you
can have are adaptability and flexibility. Some people mistakenly think that the ability to change according to the needs of a situation or a willingness to compromise show weakness of a lack of conviction.
You must always be able to predict what’s next and have the flexibility to evolve.
Marc Benioff
Getting Over the Good Old Days Syndrome
“But that’s how we’ve always done it.” Give yourself a reality checkBe honest with yourself
Changing to Manage Process
Processes change
Demonstrating our ability to adapt
Work with others
Changing to Manage People
No one size People are different
Adapt your style
Demonstrate that you
care
Showing You’re Worth Your Weight in Adaptability
Be open to alternative solutions
New roles
Be willing to accept the unexpected
Module Nine: Self-Confidence (Owning It)• The single greatest thing you can do
for your own success is build and learn to show self-confidence. Self-confidence is not egotistic or acting like you are better than others. Self-confidence is simply the belief that you know what to do and how to do it.
Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.
Samuel Johnson
Confident Traits
Not afraid to be wrong
Listen more than they speak
Acknowledge their mistake
Self-Questionnaire
How confident are you?
I am honest with others
I am honest with myself
Surefire Self-Confidence Building Tactics
Dress your best
Practice gratitude
Spend time with people who build you up
Build Up Others
Do not feel competitive with
othersTheir success
doesn’t take away from your own
Acknowledge their contributions
Module Ten: Ability to Learn from • No one likes criticism, but the ability to
learn from it is key to professional and personal development. Learning to accept and learn from criticism is a valuable investment in yourself. The ability to listen to and accept criticism is a key component of self-confidence.
I like criticism. It makes you strong.
LeBron James
Wow, You Mean I’m Not Perfect?
Recognize mistakes
Focus on improveme
nt
Spirit of helping you
Listen with an Open Mind
Learn from criticism
Reflect back what you understand the person to have said
Check for understanding
Analyze and Learn
Ask for time
Look for action items
Act on areas of feedback
Clear the Air and Don’t Hold Any Grudges
Can feel personal
Your best interests
Be committed to the relationship
Module Eleven: Networking• Networking is more than meeting
people or connecting with them on the Internet. It involves building mutually beneficial links where you can learn from and benefit from each other and the relationship.
Networking is an essential part of building wealth.
Armstrong Williams
Redefine Need
Benefit networking
relationshipsThink what you can
offerIt will expand your
network
Identifying Others’ Interests
Identify common interests
How to they mesh with yours?
Integrate with others
Reach Out
You have to reach
out
Social networkin
g
Cultivate a
presence
When to Back Off
Not respondi
ngBe aware
Do they feel
pursued?
Words from the Wise
Bryant H.
McGill
• One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.
Jane Good
all
• Change happens by listening.
- Check our library of soft skills courses at:
www.esoftskills.com
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http://adamkcoaching.com/