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What Exactly are “Soft Skills” ?

The term “soft skills” is known in a variety of circles around the world, and is said in job interview advice columns, and managerial meetings… but what exactly are they?

For a term / concept so widely used, its definition remains largely unclear to most audiences, so in this article we will talk about what soft skills are.

With a goal not to trumpet their importance, but rather to create a clear definition – and with an aim to ultimately demystify the term itself.

Firstly, they are not skills in the traditional sense.

They are not quantifiable abilities like cooking or calculus, or easily assessed in tangible outputs like in a spreadsheet or report.

Instead, they reside in the nuanced realm of personality and interpersonal engagement.

Basically, our degree of soft skills shape the way of how we interact and navigate our personal and professional lives.

So they are super, super important.

Let’s get into it.

Communication

Talking clearly isn’t enough when you talk about the advanced levels of communication… as a skill.

You need to know how to:

  • Speak to your specific audience: Use words they understand and care about.
  • Really, actively listen: Pay attention to what people say and feel

Good communication helps you to:

  • Get along with others: Build understanding and trust.
  • Work together: Achieve goals by sharing ideas and efforts.
  • Make lifelong friends: Connect with other people on a deeper level.

Teamwork

Another key element,  the concept of “teamwork” goes beyond mere cooperation.

True teamwork is about letting go of individual egos and mixing skills towards a shared outcome.

Here are just a few of the character traits one should have in order to be considered a valuable member of a team:

  • Empathetic
  • Caring
  • Compromising
  • Vulnerable

Basically, effective teamwork not only helps things run smoothly, but also creates a supportive and encouraging atmosphere.

Adaptability

Imagine you’re a chameleon blending into whatever background you’re on.

That’s what adaptability is like – it’s being able to switch things up and handle unexpected changes in your in your life or career

When new things pop up or your job suddenly takes a different turn, an adaptable person can learn new skills, adjust their plans, and keep moving forward.

In a world where technology quickly transforms the professional scene, adaptability isn’t just something nice to have; it’s essential for survival.

Problem-Solving

Hand in hand with people skills are problem solving skills.

Meaning, the way one deals with challenges in interpersonal and professional situations.

It involves carefully thinking about problems, finding obstacles, and coming up with creative solutions.

However, solving problems isn’t just about applying logic but also requires emotional intelligence.

For example, understanding how various potential solutions might affect relationships between people.

In Conclusion…

By putting in effort, reflecting on ourselves, and practicing intentionally, anyone can develop and improve their soft skills.

When we peel back the mystery and see how deep these skills go – we realize they’re like weapons for both work and life, not just fancy words.

Ultimately, understanding them will help you crush your goals and win big, both personally and professionally.

And instead of seeing the term as vague words, you should view them as powerful tools that you can sharpen and use for success.

Here (below) is a list of some more great content to help you develop your soft skills:

What Exactly Are Soft Skills? 3 Reasons Why Artificial Intelligence Will Never Replace A Need For Soft Skills Training Soft Skills Coaching for Managers / Leaders Customer Service and Soft Skills 3 Reasons to Invest in Soft Skills Coaching for Your Workforce Soft Skills – Using Tonality and Telephone Sales Using Tonality – Soft Skills Training The Top 11 Soft Skills You Need To Succeed Why is it Important to Have Soft Skills? Which are the Most Important Soft Skills The 5 Most Important Soft Skills to Have as a Modern Professional The 3 Greatest Benefits of Soft Skills Training