When it comes to your career having a treasure chest of personal skills – ‘soft-skills’ – in your arsenal will go a long way to your success in any role you take on.
AI can do many things, but it can’t yet do those ‘human skills’ – and probably never will – that everyone needs for day to day interaction and social fulfilment. Without them teamwork is fraught, work atmospheres are negative and job satisfaction will be way down.
These are the things that define who you are and how others see you so it is important to develop and acquire as many as you can, which will hold you in good stead in your career.
But what are soft-skills and why do employers, and your co-workers, value them so much?
Personal Qualities and Soft-Skills
Employers will look for a blend of personal qualities and soft-skills that help ensure a positive work environment, effective teamwork and performance in your role. They value a range of skills that you can bring to the company and the more you have the better you will do!
Ask anyone though to name some soft-skills and you will get many answers, making it hard to pin down a definitive list, but here are our top fifteen to start with.
Trustworthiness
Be seen by others as trustworthy: your future career success depends on the level of trust others feel comfortable placing in you.
Compassion
Understanding and appreciating the views and lives of others, without making a judgement whilst being empathetic.
Determination
Being able to face tasks and challenges with a determined approach to do your best and not give up.
Reliability
Doing what you say you will do, being on time and supporting others.
Communication
Communicating the right way with colleagues, customers, friends and managers.
Thoughtfulness
Being prepared to think your way around a problem, rather than just hitting it head on.
Adaptability
Being able to handle change, new challenges and setbacks with a positive attitude.
Time Management
Prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and manage your day efficiently.
Resilience
Recovering from setbacks, staying motivated and maintaining a positive outlook.
Stress Management
Helps you to stay calm and focussed under pressure, with a healthy mindset.
Confidence
Self-belief, inner strength and belief can allow you to take risks and assert yourself.
Collaboration
Contributing to group efforts, being a good team member and working towards a common goal.
Creativity
Thinking outside of the box to find ideas and innovative solutions.
Leadership
Inspiring and motivating others, whether or not you are their manager.
Emotional Intelligence
Helps you to build relationships, manage social situations and communicate effectively
We could also add Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Diplomacy, Decisiveness, Focus, Patience, Generosity and Customer Focus to the list.
All of these skills are highly transferable across roles and sectors so the more you can work on and develop these the more important and valuable you will be to an organisation.
You may also be seen as the go to for promotion, special projects, rewards and treats – not bad!
Employers will look for a balance of these since every role will require a blend of personal attributes and skills alongside your technical competence for the job.
Being able to demonstrate this will be key to standing out as the ideal candidate.
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