Being a technologically optimistic guy, I believe that Artificial intelligence and robots will change the face of almost every job in the next decade.
I also believe that computers are not going to change everything. There will still be essential functions that require human skills. For example, how to think, work, and interact with others will be successful professionally and personally.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills allow you to interact with others, manage work relationships, and create a positive environment around you.
These capabilities differ from person to person and cannot be measured like technical skills.
In this increasingly competitive work environment, you must demonstrate to the employer that you have the soft skills to be selected for the job.
In this increasingly competitive work environment, you must demonstrate to the employer that you have soft skills in order to be selected for the job.
Soft skills do not replace hard work. They make you a more pleasant person while you are doing the hard work. — Dr. Drooghaag
Let’s see the top 6 soft skills that will fast-track your career.
Make others feel important — aka Charisma.
What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead. — Nelson Mandela
Improve Your Body Language — aka 7–38–55 Rule
Body language means how you use your facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, hands, arms, legs, etc.
Here is the 7–38–55 Rule about body language when trying to convey something.
- 7% words (that’s all)
- 38% facial expression
- 55% body language (make sure to follow the charisma rule here, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, stand up tall, and make an authentic comment)
Master the 4-step approach.
Accept that your Manager and direct reporting officer are busier than you think. Whenever you get an assignment o do, follow the following 4-steps
Step#1 -> Here’s what you asked me to do
Step#2 -> Here’s what I did
Step#3 -> Here are the risks/blockers (if any)
Step#4 -> If given more time, I’d do this
For this 4-steps approach, credit goes to Ben Meer.
Improve your speaking skills.
The best way is to practice in front of the mirror and make sure to record. I used to practice a lot before giving a presentation.
Recording your speeches or even 1-on-1s will help you to get rid of the fillers like: um, ah, hmm, like, you know, alright, etc.
Absolute no gossip
Do not gossip if you are trying to accelerate your career. It’s a big no-no.
Continuous learning
Whether it is technology or customer attitudes, the world is constantly changing.
Continuous learning is the key to staying ahead in life. There are many free sources. For example, I wrote this article on top YT channels to learn something new or know the world works.
The bottom line
It’s important to learn from your mistakes, but it is BETTER to learn from other people’s mistakes, and it is BEST to learn from other people’s success. It accelerates your own success. — Jim Rohn
Once you feel more confident in each of the 6 areas, make sure to update your resume with improved soft skills.
Let me recall the soft skills:
- Make others feel important
- Improve your body language
- Master the 4-step approach
- Improve your speaking
- No gossip
- Continuous learning
