Everyone Talks About The Importance of Soft Skills,
But Few Explain How to Develop Them.
14 essential soft skills and how to master them, courtesy of my friend Nicola Ballotta:
𝟭/ 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀
➤Self-Awareness
• Practice mindfulness and meditation • Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings • Seek feedback from friends and colleagues
➤Resilience
• Develop a positive mindset • Build a strong support network • Learn from failures and setbacks
➤Self-Motivation
• Set clear, achievable goals • Celebrate small victories • Find inspiration and learning in every task
𝟮/ 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀
➤Empathy/Compassion
• Practice active listening • View situations from others' perspectives • Volunteer for causes that connect you with diverse groups
➤Negotiation
• Practice active listening • Develop empathy to understand other's viewpoints • Study negotiation techniques and strategies
➤Conflict Resolution
• Learn and practice active listening skills • Adopt a problem-solving attitude • Seek to understand before being understood
➤Influence
• Build credibility and trust • Understand and appeal to others' interests • Practice storytelling and emotional intelligence
𝟯/ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀
➤Verbal Communication
• Volunteer for presentations at work • Record short videos of yourself speaking and watch them • Ask peers for feedback on your communication
➤Written Communication
• Take writing courses • Start writing publicly • Practice concise writing
➤Non-Verbal Communication
• Observe and mimic the body language of effective communicators • Record and review your non-verbal communication in different settings • Take acting or improvisation classes to improve your expressive abilities
𝟰/ 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀
➤Time Management
• Use planners or digital tools to schedule tasks • Set clear priorities and deadlines • Avoid multitasking and minimize distractions
➤Problem-Solving
• Practice structured problem-solving methods • Develop your analytical and critical thinking skills • Collaborate with others to gain different perspectives
➤Adaptability
• Embrace a growth mindset • Stay curious and seek out new experiences • Practice resilience and stress management
➤Problem-Solving
• Practice structured problem-solving methods • Develop your analytical and critical thinking skills • Collaborate with others to gain different perspectives
PS: Soft skills are just that: skills. We all start somewhere, and with intentional practice, we get better.
