Why “Soft Skills” are important at home and at work.
If you or a loved one has ever been hospitalized, then you may understand how important it is to have a nurse with “Soft Skills”. All nurses will have a deep understanding of the body and medical treatments, but without the addition of compassion, good communication skills, and respect, your stay may be just as torturous, or perhaps more so, than the reason you had to be admitted in the first place.
Soft Skills, also known as People Skills, are not the result of learning a trade or earning a degree, which are specific to an industry or application. They are more intangible and subjective, yet deeply needed to connect to family, coworkers, and clients.
Soft skills include innate personality traits and abilities that can be learned and cultivated to improve your daily interactions.
Examples of Soft Skills
- The ability to communicate ideas clearly
- Having interpersonal skills to build relationships
- Displaying emotional intelligence by understanding your own emotions and of those around you
- Showing you can adapt to unexpected changes
By improving your Soft Skills you can step back and assess how you are acting in everyday situations and how you might be able to improve your own skills to create more productive interactions.
What do YOU get out of using soft skills?
- Self-motivated
You can develop a good work ethic where others know you will “get the job done.” You will pull your weight within a relationship. - Personal Style
You become self-aware of your own personality, strengths and weaknesses. You become comfortable with who you are. - Respectfully Aware of Others
You are more aware of others and are polite and agreeable with those around your. You are also able to be respectfully assertive when necessary. - Active Listening
You listen to understand the content and context of what someone is talking about, along with the appropriate answer. You never interrupt. - Verbal Communication
You can respond in a positive and persuasive way without intimidation or anger and with the appropriate sense of humor. - Non-Verbal Communication
You hold yourself with approachability and an open expression. - Team Work
Not only can you lead, you can follow. You give credit where credit is due and provide encouragement while working with others. - Creative Thinking
You use your words and thoughts creatively when needed. You utilize brainstorming and appreciate beautiful things and ideas. - Problem Solving
You take the time to understand the root of problems and are willing to talk through a situation until it is resolved. - Trustworthy
You are able to say, “I’m wrong.” You are honest in handling resources and time and are willing to do more than what is asked of you.