How to Improve Your Soft Skills

Does it feel like there's a lot of hype about soft skills? Well, that's because they are more critical than ever before.

Having the right hard skills may get your foot in the door, but having a well-rounded and polished arsenal of soft skills ensures long-term success in your career. Hard skills enable you to do the nitty-gritty of your job. Soft skills make you more effective when working with other people.

The tricky thing is that most soft skills like communication, leadership, adaptability, or emotional intelligence feel almost intangible. Soft skills often seem inherent to someone's personality and not easily taught or learned. Some even suggest that you either have it—or not.

That thought pattern, however, Is. Not. True. While some people may be more naturally gifted in communication or are hardwired to adapt quickly to change, soft skills—like hard skills—can be learned and improved with time and intentionality. Here are some ways you can hone in on and build your soft skills!

Identify What You Need to Work On

Some common soft skills include:

• Communication (verbal and written!)
• Emotional intelligence
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Leadership
• Decision-making
• Conflict resolution
• Time management

Most soft skills are associated with interpersonal behavior and are highly social skills; they are also connected directly to leadership. Maybe you already know where your strengths lie and where your weak points exist. However, asking trusted colleagues and mentors for feedback is still wise. Be open to their perspective and willing to ask for their help in growing.

Engage in Active Learning

Thankfully, we live in the information age. Knowledge and practical wisdom are everywhere! However, mindset is an essential key. With the right mindset, you can learn and improve anything—even those that stretch your natural inclination! Every opportunity is a chance to grow, learn new things, and practice what you learn. So, if you want to grow in an area, be it a soft or a hard skill, look around you—there are multiple options to gain knowledge and build skills.

• Read books – Find books on leadership, communication, and teamwork.
• Listen to podcasts – Follow industry leaders and motivational speakers.
• Workshops and training – Attend seminars and webinars tailored to the areas where you desire growth.

Practice

The best way to develop soft skills is to start using them! Practice makes perfect. So, put yourself in positions and situations that demand soft skills.

• Take initiative in decision-making.
• Practice active listening and use active listening techniques like paraphrasing or summarizing.
• Engage in team discussions where you have a usual tendency to be quiet.
• Volunteer to lead a project or mentor a colleague.

Because soft skills directly impact your effectiveness in working with others, focusing on developing your ability to be a team player is a great place to start.

Develop Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence(EQ) is like the lynchpin that holds all soft skills together. It is recognizing, regulating, and managing your emotions while empathizing with others.

You can start building and strengthening your emotional intelligence by working on –

• Self-awareness – Pay attention to your emotions and how they influence your behavior.
• Self-regulation – Learn to manage stress and control impulsive reactions.
• Empathy – Practice seeing situations from others' perspectives and responding with understanding.

One intentional way to develop healthier emotional intelligence is by practicing mindfulness and self-reflection daily. The more you understand yourself, the better your understanding and interaction with others.

Seek Constructive Feedback and Act on It

Improving soft skills isn't a solo journey. Learning from those who excel in these areas is a great way to accelerate your soft skills development. Seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or managers who excel in soft skills. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as a tool for growth. Don't just listen—ask questions, seek advice, and apply what you learn in your workplace interactions.

Are you looking for your next career step? At Career Concepts, we've been helping the right people find the right job for over 50 years. Contact us today, and let's get started!