The professional world is constantly evolving. While hard skills such as coding languages and marketing knowledge are important, certain soft skills have become increasingly in-demand.
Having empathetic and communication skills is key to working well with your team, colleagues and clients. In addition, employers want to see a high level of professionalism and work ethic from their employees.
1. Creativity
Creativity involves rising above more traditional ways of thinking and producing new or unique ideas. While some people are naturally creative, it is also a skill that can be learned and improved upon over time.
A form of cognitive disinhibition, creativity is characterized by the ability to ignore irrelevant information and concentrate on what is important. It also includes the ability to think outside of the box, such as imagining multiple uses for an object that would not typically be thought of.
Studies have shown that different parts of the brain are involved in the creative process, including the hippocampus, frontal cortex and basal ganglia. It is also influenced by the white matter of the brain, which helps to connect different brain structures.
2. Communication
Whether it’s verbal or written, effective communication is a necessary skill for every professional. Whether you’re sending an email, collaborating with colleagues in person or providing feedback to employees, your ability to convey information clearly and concisely can be the difference between success and failure.
Good communication skills also include listening to others. Practising empathy for your peers and listening carefully to what they have to say can help you avoid arguments and disagreements.
It’s also important to communicate well when it comes to building your network of professional connections. Having strong communication skills will allow you to connect with people and businesses who can help you grow your career and open up new opportunities.
3. Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is one of the skills that almost every career requires. From the small daily inconveniences to bigger workplace challenges, it’s important to be able to identify problems and find solutions quickly and efficiently.
This involves being able to research the issue to understand it fully. This can involve interviewing others, analyzing data, searching the company intranet and more. It also involves effective communication with team members to gather input and opinions as well as brainstorming ideas.
Lastly, it means being able to communicate clearly once you’ve found an effective solution. This could be through in-person meetings, phone calls, texts or email.
4. Interpersonal Skills
Whether you’re in IT, customer service, real estate, or any other industry, your work requires collaboration with other people. Interpersonal skills involve verbal and non-verbal communication, including active listening, empathetic response, and conflict resolution.
Having interpersonal skills can help you solve problems more quickly, maintain an efficient workflow, and establish a positive workplace culture. It also allows you to connect with others and develop long-lasting professional relationships. If you don’t have the necessary skills, consider working on them through training programs or outside activities like volunteering or team sports. Moreover, these skills are highly valued by employers and contribute to career growth.
5. Organizational Skills
Organizational skills are essential for anyone in a professional position. They help keep valuable business information easily accessible, goals in focus and employees on the same page.
Being organized at work helps prevent costly mistakes, missed deadlines and lost productivity. It also ensures that important tasks are taken care of first.
This can be as simple as keeping your physical and digital workspace clean and clutter-free, only storing what you need and having a clear daily schedule. But it can also involve creating systems that streamline work processes, such as file folders and a daily checklist for tasks. Good organizational skills also include the ability to delegate responsibilities.
6. Time Management
Time management is the ability to plan, prioritize and execute tasks effectively. It’s a skill that can help you improve your work-life balance, reduce stress and build a strong career.
Effective time management involves prioritizing and scheduling tasks in order of importance. It also includes setting goals and identifying and addressing any issues that may come up along the way.
Having a solid time management strategy can also help you feel more energetic and motivated throughout your day, which can increase productivity. It can also benefit your work-life balance by creating a clear separation between your professional and personal lives. For this reason, it’s important to incorporate time management into your daily routine as much as possible.
