7 Important Soft Skills to Have for Success
Did you know that 85% of career success is determined by soft skills?
No matter what career you have, both hard skills and soft skills are essential for success. Most people believe that all you need is expertise in your line of work to prosper; however, success will come much quicker if you have both. Soft skills, which are defined as core skills that serve as a guide for interacting effectively and performing efficiently, are especially valuable as they are desired across all professions and can be applied to any area of life. Here is a list of soft skills that often get overlooked, but if practiced can help you on your roadmap to career progression.
1. Brevity
This means having the ability to make things clear and concise without getting too wordy. With busy days and short attention spans, if you have the ability to be brief when you’re speaking to someone, you are more likely to acquire the answers you seek. People have an easier time listening and comprehending when things are communicated in small doses. Being brief also shows that you are conscious of other people’s time.
2. Clarity
In line with being brief, the ability to be clear is another invaluable attribute that one can possess. Whether you’re giving instructions, delivering a message, or trying to negotiate a deal; the more clear you are, the more persuasive and credible you will be. Being able to articulate a point seamlessly and in a way everyone can understand keeps people on the same page and enables people to see the bigger picture and the reasons behind decisions and procedures in the workplace.
3. Confidence
People admire those who are confident, plain and simple. The ability to stand behind your decisions without second guessing yourself, speak with ease and conviction, and take initiative without seeking prior approval gives you the appearance of a leader. If you carry yourself with confidence, you’ll notice that colleagues come to you for advice and that management will trust you to take on more projects and leadership roles.
4. Perception
Although this one can be one of the most challenging skills to obtain, if you choose to work on it, it will be more than worth it. The ability to read a room or read someone’s vibe without them having to say anything will give you the opportunity to course-correct situations and maybe even pleasantly surprise people. It is also a good indicator or when and how to approach someone with a question or important conversation.
5. Negotiation
Wherever you go, there are going to be people you work with who have different opinion, styles, and processes than you. This doesn’t mean that you should hold back on sharing your own ways, for all you know, they will be receptive to them. The ability to negotiate can be a win-win for all and can change the game for you and all involved in sales, deadlines, scheduling, and more.
6. Open to Feedback
No matter how proficient you are at what you do, there are always going to be areas for improvement. Sometimes you may not even realize that the way you’re doing something could be improved. When people give you constructive criticism or suggest that you go back to the drawing board, there is no reason to take it personally. New/different ways of doing things are often in the greatest good of the organization and all involved.
7. Conflict Resolution
Whether it’s a disagreement with someone you work with or a problem you or the company has never faced before, the ability to resolve efficiently is crucial. This happens when someone has the ability to remain objective and uses logic to process situations instead of emotion. The ability to resolve conflicts makes you more approachable and trustworthy to those around you.
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