As we find our professional life constantly exposed to the more complex world of technology and automation, it’s more important than ever to future-proof our careers.
Over time, many job functions have become obsolete and are replaced by technology. However, where back in the day, a new piece of technology couldn’t function without humans operating behind it, we are witnessing an era where this doesn’t have to be the case any longer.
Now, that leaves many of us wondering: how can I stay relevant at work?
The answer lies in identifying your useful, transferable skills. While automation and artificial intelligence can handle many technical and routine tasks, they cannot replace the human skills that are essential for effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving in the workplace.
What are Soft Skills?
Soft skills are human skills that show your ability to communicate, interact, and build relationships with others. These are intangible qualities one needs to possess to increase productivity, efficiency, and success in their business or career.
Unlike hard skills, which can be proven and measured, soft skills are non-technical and can be harder to quantify. This is why someone looking to hit it big in their career should understand its importance.
Soft skills are essential for those who want to remain competitive and succeed in their careers, as they can help individuals stand out in a crowded job market and adapt to changing work environments.
In fact, a recent study by LinkedIn found that soft skills such as leadership, communication, and collaboration were among the most in-demand skills by employers in 2023.
Furthermore, according to a report by the World Economic Forum, by 2025, the top skills required for success in the workplace will include skills such as analytical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence, all of which are soft skills.
Top Soft Skills Examples Essential for Professional Success
Soft skills are crucial for career success as they complement technical skills and help professionals work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and manage relationships. Find out the top soft skills examples and learn the tips on how to improve them so you can navigate the complexities of today’s workplace:
#1 – Communication skills
Effective communication is vital in our relationships—both on the personal and professional levels. Expressing our thoughts and ideas, asking questions, and receiving feedback can lead to better decision-making, problem-solving, and improved performance.
On the other hand, when an individual cannot communicate ideas well, their knowledge and expertise won’t do any good. Poor communication skills can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and missed opportunities which can hinder career growth.
Therefore, developing and honing communication skills is critical. You must use the right verbal and non-verbal cues when interacting with others to turn your background into a resource others can see value from.
- Verbal communication: active listening, speaking clearly and concisely, using appropriate tone and language.
- Nonverbal communication: understanding body language, maintaining eye contact, and clarity of facial expressions and gestures
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#2 – Leadership skills
Being a leader translates to having the power to motivate others, inspire change, and drive results. However, it’s more than just being in charge. It’s also about being able to influence others in a positive way while guiding them toward achieving goals together as a team.
Leaders who possess soft skills such as empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence can create a positive work environment, inspire their team members, and achieve better outcomes.
True leadership comes from a strong initiative to identify problems and make changes as necessary. This means showing up every day, armed with an open mind, and ready to work hard. A great leader understands they cannot do everything alone but must rely on others for help when needed.
To build trust with your colleagues, make sure everyone in the team understands what their role is by effectively communicating what needs to be done. By the same token, show appreciation to those who contribute ideas and efforts to help build loyalty.
#3 – Time management
With the increasing use of technology, professionals are expected to accomplish tasks faster and more efficiently.
So knowing how to manage your time effectively enables you to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and achieve goals, which opens up more opportunities for career growth and advancement. It also reduces stress and improves work-life balance.
There are many ways to improve time management, such as:
- Make a daily schedule. Organize tasks that need to be completed by way of time-blocking.
- Prioritize tasks. Tackle the most important items first based on their importance and urgency.
- Set deadlines. Evaluate the realistic time it takes for you to finish tasks.
- Stay focused. Do one thing at a time (e.g. try Pomodoro technique). Don’t multitask unless absolutely necessary!
#4 – Teamwork skills
In today’s work environment, jobs require increasing amounts of collaboration. Since people are very connected digitally, some may resort to avoiding hands-on teamwork. But there’s a risk in doing so.
Through teamwork, creativity and innovation are enhanced further since diverse perspectives and skill sets are brought together. So when you put your ability to work with a team on display, you contribute towards a positive work culture and help foster a sense of community.
To work well with others, make sure you bring something valuable to the table. It could be in the way you listen, empathize, bring attention to detail, and apply your other skills to accomplish the task at hand.
#5 – Creative thinking
One of the most important soft skills that businesses require in modern times is the ability of their people to think outside the box. If you want to stay relevant at work and ultimately find success in what you do, then you need to always challenge yourself to be more creative.
Creative thinking means stepping outside your comfort zone and approaching problems differently than others might. This means having the courage to face reality head-on regardless of certain roadblocks.
To help you unleash your mind’s creative skills, try to approach things with heightened curiosity while being open to new experiences. You can participate in activities that stimulate your brain such as changing the sound and sight of your surroundings or taking up hobbies like painting or writing.
READ: How to Win Back Your Focus
#6 – Presentation skills
Being able to convey ideas, information, and proposals to others in a clear, engaging, and impactful way can leave a lasting impression on others. It’s through well-delivered presentations that a person can persuade, influence, and inspire others, which is particularly important to keep a business flourishing.
To improve this skill, plan your presentations accordingly and practice your delivery multiple times. Be confident and comfortable, and don’t be afraid to seek feedback from others who can help you improve your speech and technical know-how.
#7 – Emotional Awareness
Having emotional awareness means knowing how to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as those of others. It encompasses many soft skills in the list because your professional success relies on how your presence manages difficult situations, builds healthy relationships, and makes better decisions.
Empathy plays a critical measure in emotional intelligence. To be able to put yourself into someone else’s shoes and understand how they feel in a given situation allows you to relate better with others.
To improve emotional awareness, you have to attune to yourself. Reflect on unresolved conflicts by understanding the culture of the industry, and the company. Learn how to recognize and regulate emotions and reactions by doing mindfulness practices or coaching programs.
#8 – Problem-solving
So far, many of the soft skills mentioned, such as teamwork and presentation, come into effect when things are going well. But when conflict arises between people and outside factors, the professional who is able to identify and address complex issues becomes indispensable at their job.
Effective problem-solving requires a combination of creativity, critical thinking, and analytical skills. These skills come into play in each step; from defining problems, gathering relevant information, brainstorming possible solutions, evaluating the pros and cons, and finally when selecting the best course of action.
To improve problem-solving skills, always upskill through learning. Make it a daily habit to read books, blogs, and publications or listen to podcasts. Further, invest in your professional development by taking up online courses or attending workshops and training.
READ: 5 Bad Habits That Are Stopping You from Being Successful
#9 – Adaptability
Being ready to work within the day-to-day structure your job presents poses a never-ending challenge, one that must be embraced and not avoided. Adaptability skills are essential to professional success because change is inevitable. Being able to adjust, cope and thrive altogether makes you stand out from the pack.
To advance your adaptability skills, develop a growth mindset, be open to feedback, stay informed, and seek out new experiences. For example, you can learn a new technology that makes tasks get done more efficiently, or take on new responsibilities that force you to grow your other skills at work.
Takeaway
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving modern workplace, the traditional notion of a qualified professional based solely on educational credentials is outdated.
Companies and people are looking to work with a person who more than just possesses technical skills; they are also basing it on how well someone presents themselves beyond their craft. Examples of top soft skills include communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, time management, leadership, and emotional intelligence.
Soft skills can be learned in a variety of ways. These include observing others’ behavior, seeking feedback, attending training, reading widely, and practicing self-reflection. By demonstrating power skills with tried and tested hard skills, you can make the right impressions that open up more opportunities for professional success.
The world of business can be tough, but it’s also exciting and fast-paced. So if you want to stay ahead of the game, it’s time to start working on those skills. Trust us, it’ll pay off in the long run.
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What are the two soft skills you need one-on-one help with? Share your thoughts below!
