We continue to hear the phrase “Soft skills.” Soft skills are less tangible qualities we all possess. They are traits that make our personality which include our strengths and weaknesses. Soft skills are leadership characteristics that we need to form strong connections with others. Communication, empathy, compassion, credibility, authenticity, accountability, and critical thinking. Many of these skills cannot be learned in a classroom. They are learned through everyday experiences.
When leaders prioritize the development of their soft skills, it helps to nurture their teams and can guide others to improve their soft skills. When leaders inspire others, they want to emulate the positive traits of their leaders, which builds more robust and more effective teams.
What soft skills are required for all levels of leadership?
- Good communication and coaching skills.
When team members master communication skills, there is more cohesiveness and creativity.
- Listen to understand
- Ask powerful questions
- Challenge and support others
- Establish accountability.
- Teamwork
Being a positive team player is essential in leadership. Leadership is about setting an example and serving others.
For example, I had one employee who complained of the smell of her trash from her take-out containers when the cleaning staff had not been in. This employee felt it was beneath them to do cleaning or what they viewed as janitorial work. As a leader, I had a team meeting with all the staff, outlining that the cleaning staff only came in a few days a week and that it was the job of everyone to help keep the office clean. This meant washing out their coffee cups and emptying their trash. A leader would pitch in and help.
- Empathy
Empathy and compassion go hand in hand. We build relationships with others, but at the end of the day, we never really know what others are going through.
Being empathetic is trying to understand the situation or perspective of another person.
- Adaptability
Being adaptable to change is essential in everyone’s jobs. Life happens, and we need to be flexible in our jobs to pivot, pitch in, and change when needed. I once had an experience where I had a job interview was rescheduled a few times by the interviewer. Days before the interview was finally to happen, my mother suddenly passed away. I called the interviewer, explained that I had to travel for a funeral, and asked if we could reschedule. Imagine my surprise when the interviewer had expected me to be adaptable every time they had to reschedule, but my mother’s death was not important enough to reschedule. Showing no compassion, the interviewer canceled the interview. Of course, in 20/20 hindsight, it was a blessing because I wondered what kind of leader and culture would be like working with someone who did not have compassion for the situation.
Everyone, regardless of title or position, is a contributor to the organization and can further develop their leadership skills. Remember, the first point of contact is the front-line workers – the people who interact most with customers.
There are many tools available to help you develop your soft skills.
- Face-to-face leadership development
- Online development
- Many top colleges have free online classes. LinkedIn, MIT, Harvard, and Stanford.
- Workshops
- The Chamber is offering a 6-week leadership series called Ignite the Leader in You (May 1)
- Leadership books
- There is a plethora of leadership books
Do soft skills make us better leaders? YES!!! Leaders are curious, continually seeking ways to learn to improve to be the best person they can be.