SOFT SKILLS

INTRODUCTION

Soft skills have more to do with who we are than what we know.

Hard skills can be learned and perfected over time, soft skills are more difficult to acquire and change.

The soft skills required for a doctor, for example, would be empathy, understanding, active listening and a good bedside manner.

WHAT IS SOFT SKILLS ?

Sociologists may use the term soft skills to describe a person's "EQ" or " Emotional Intelligence Quotient" (as opposed to "IQ").

Soft skills are considered a complement to hard skills, which refer to a person's knowledge and occupational skills.

TYPES OF SOFT SKILLS

The following Soft Skills Types can be distinguished:

o Informative, instructive, explanatory Soft Skills. o Convincing, negotiating, decisive Soft Skills. o Listening and monitoring Soft Skills. o Communicative, socializing Soft Skills.

INFORMATIVE, INSTRUCTIVE, EXPLANATORY SOFT SKILLS

Use of presentation material, flip charts or a white board will support verbal information.

Sometimes questions provide information on the degree of resistance within the audience.

Explanations to an audience is by way of a presentation.

CONVINCING, NEGOTIATING, DECISIVE SOFT SKILLS. Soft Skills are necessary.

The art is to know when to be convincing or decisive and when enough time has been spent on negotiations.

It is not possible to convince people by treating them in an aggressive or intimidating way.

LISTENING AND MONITORING SOFT SKILLS

Listening is not only a matter of using the ears; it is also a matter of using the eyes.

Listening means concentrating on what people are telling, expressing an interest in what they are saying, and ensuring that what is implied is, in fact, understood.

So, ‘listening’ with the eyes is a way to ‘listen’ between the lines.

COMMUNICATIVE, SOCIALIZING SOFT SKILLS

This Soft Skills type is a combination of the previous ones.

Listening and speaking in a bi-directional way (interactively)

Socializing is seen as a medium and long-term investment.

SIX SOFT SKILLS EVERYONE NEEDS

Communication SkillsTeamwork and CollaborationAdaptabilityProblem SolvingCritical ObservationConflict Resolution

SOME EXAMPLES OF SOFT SKILLS ARE:-

Interpersonal SkillsParticipates as a member of the Team Serves Client / CustomersExercises LeadershipNegotiatesWorks with cultural diversity

WHEN IT COMES TO SOFT SKILLS, SHOW -- DON'T TELL

Learn Soft SkillsTake a Course Seek Mentors Volunteer

SOFT SKILLS ARE SUBJECTIVE AND MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE. THEY ARE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND CHARACTER. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE:

Motivated team player Strong communication skillsTime managementOrganizational skillsGood with childrenReliable, responsible, committed

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