Changes in how we communicate and solve problems at work during the pandemic require critical thinking and strong communication skills.
However, 39% of employees express frustration with their employers not offering effective soft skills training, based on research commissioned by the CFA Institute. As a result, many of us have to develop these skills independently.
According to Barbara Petitt, the managing director of professional learning at CFA Institute, here are the top five soft skills you should focus on today:
1. Curiosity
Curious employees question the norm that broadens the outlook of an idea or project. The most curious individuals can uncover new possibilities often obscured by daily work and life routines. Developing your curiosity skills will aid you in generating innovative solutions more quickly and creatively.
How to develop curiosity skills: Learn about an unfamiliar topic. Petitt explored how the brain works by reading two neuroscience books and gaining a profound understanding of how people absorb new information.
2. Innovation
Curiosity sparks new ideas, but innovation fuels the teamwork and creativity needed to turn an idea into reality.
During Petitt's consulting tenure, she noticed that those who found inventive solutions to client problems were the driving force that inspired colleagues to work together. Furthermore, these innovative individuals were frequently recognized and financially rewarded for their creative approach.
How to develop innovation skills: Engage with your coworkers and customers to generate unique and actionable ideas. Prioritize networking and have discussions about your work that extend beyond completing daily tasks.
3. Speed
Speed is about swiftly acquiring, applying, and communicating knowledge. Due to technology giving us access to a pool of information, decisions that once took weeks are now made within days, if not hours.
When Petitt interviews someone, she requests an example of a challenging professional situation where the candidate had to meet a hard deadline. If the candidate can provide specific details about how they accomplished the task under time pressure, Petitt feels more confident considering them for the job.
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How to develop speed: Volunteer for tasks that interest you and observe how you handle your time. If you find yourself wasting time recovering information due to inadequate note-taking or experiencing productivity loss in the afternoon from over-scheduling your mornings, see these as chances to enhance and adjust your approach.
4. Communication
Our ability to communicate and connect emotionally sets us apart from robots. We can reflect on the past and envision the future.
In the past, effective communication relied on a firm handshake, eye contact, and attentive listening. Nowadays, the skill and intentionality needed to compose a compelling Slack message or initiate a Zoom conversation are crucial investments for success in any job.
How to develop communication skills: Enroll in a course or join a public speaking club like Toastmasters International. According to Petitt, she took a communication course led by a former TV presenter when she had a job that involved a significant amount of public speaking. Confronting her fears and honing her speech structure skills made her a more confident and effective communicator.
5. Vulnerability
In her book "Braving the Wilderness," Brené Brown states, "Courage is built on vulnerability - the skill to handle uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure." It might seem counterintuitive, but this soft skill is especially important now with the trend of job switching.
Think about the common job interview scenario where you're asked to describe dealing with a challenging situation or mistake. The best candidates will discuss the mistake and its resolution and illustrate what they learned, how they applied that knowledge moving forward, and how it positively impacted the organization.
How to develop vulnerability: Be transparent about your weaknesses. Petitt shares that she readily acknowledges her mistakes for personal development and to set an example for those who work for her.
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