Soft skills
I have not failed. I’ve just found 10.000 ways that won’t work. Thomas Edison
How did this mentality led Thomas Edison achieve success and as a consequence we all enjoy the benefits of electricity nowadays?
Exercise: Write down a goal you have accomplished and how you accomplished this goal. What skills helped you achieve it?
Hard skills vs soft skills = what you know vs how you act
Hard skills are:
- Teachable Typically, you'll learn hard skills in the classroom, through books or other training materials, or on the job
- Measurable
- Proof (certificates, trainings, university degrees, the ability to use specific software and specific equipment)
Soft skills are:
- Harder to quantify – you don’t learn them in classrooms
- Also known as "people skills" or "interpersonal skills," - the way you relate to and interact with other people.
- Soft skills are features in your personality and character and can be developed in any position you get or in your personal life through your experiences
- They can be transferred to any position you get no matter the type or field
- Examples include: communication, teamwork, time management, critical thinking, customer orientation, creativity, stress management, problem solving
It is impossible to have ALL soft skills. Define the ones you have and use them effectively! Success is a combination of hard and soft skills and both play an important role in order for you to be successful in work & life!
List of Soft Skills (among others)
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Persuasion
- Active listening
- Clear & concise communication
- Empathy
- Teamwork
- Positive attitude
- Relationship building
- Time management
- Conflict resolution
- Multitasking
- Stress management
- Problem solving
- Leadership
- Initiative
- Decision making
- Public speaking
- Respect
- Motivation
Successful entrepreneur (among others)
- Communication skills
- Conflict – Resolution skills
- Team – working skills
- Problem solving skills
- Self-management skills
- Decision making skills
- Leadership skills
- Creativity and innovation skills
- Stress management skills
- Negotiation skills
- Influencing & Persuasion skills
- Networking skills
- Time management skills
- Organization skills
- Flexibility skills
- Adaptability skills
Tip: Keep a notebook and name it ‘MY BUSINESS DIARY’
- List your skills
- List your soft skills
- List the soft skills you miss based on your business idea
- List your team’s skills
- List the soft skills missed in your business