Which Soft Skills Matter Most?

At work, employees are expected to do their jobs and do them well.  They need to be able to achieve goals efficiently and effectively.  That usually means they have the skills and abilities to get things done. The more complex the job and the more demanding the position, the more skills and training is likely needed.  Much of that know-how is dubbed “hard skills” or “technical skills”.  A lot of that is taught in schools.  But besides “hard skills”, virtually all jobs also require another set of skills commonly dubbed “soft skills.”  

Why Soft Skills Matter

According to Peggy Klaus, leadership and communication expert and author of “Brag”, “75% of long-term job success depends on people skills, while only 25% on technical knowledge.”  Indeed, in defining job skills for any position, HR and hiring managers usually break them down into two major categories:  technical or hard skills and soft skills.  Jobs focus on the technical, but it’s the soft skills that lead to promotions, raises and success. 

The term “soft skills” itself has a bit of a misleading history.  The term originated in the U.S. Military in the 1960s.  Coined by the U.S. Army in the late 1960s, it was used to contrast with “hard skills,” which involved the use of machinery and technical expertise. “Soft skills” were essentially referred to as any skill that didn’t directly involve operating equipment.  

The simple statement “I Matter” holds within it a transformative power capable of unlocking human potential. This seemingly basic assertion carries profound implications for self-worth, confidence, and ultimately, achievement. Why are those two little words so powerful?

First, at its core, “I Matter” acknowledges the inherent intrinsic value of every individual, regardless of external factors like achievements, social status, or comparisons to others. It recognizes that each person possesses unique talents, perspectives, and contributions that enrich the world.

Second, believing in one’s inherent worth cultivates a strong sense of self. It provides the inner fortitude to navigate challenges, embrace risks, and pursue goals with conviction. When individuals truly believe they matter, they are less likely to be deterred by setbacks or self-doubt.

The start of a new year often brings with it a wave of resolutions and a renewed sense of purpose. While setting goals is crucial, cultivating a positive attitude might be the most powerful tool in your professional and personal arsenal.  In the bustling world of business, a positive attitude is more than just a pleasant personality trait; it’s a cornerstone of success.  That’s because a positive attitude has a ripple effect. 

A good attitude boosts productivity by fueling motivation and resilience. When faced with challenges, those with a positive attitude are more likely to view setbacks as learning opportunities rather than insurmountable obstacles. This proactive approach leads to increased efficiency and a greater capacity for innovation and new direction. 

Ever felt as though the goals you set at the beginning of each year are just too lofty?  Are they so ambitious that they start to feel overwhelming?  Or even worse, actually unattainable?  Most professionals can probably relate to the trials and tribulations faced in navigating the vast landscape of goal-setting. There’s a constant quest to surpass or even shatter past achievements, reach ever higher for new targets, and turn dreams into reality.  The pressure to leave a lasting mark in your respective field and craft a legacy that inspires others to follow suit is real and can feel almost oppressive. 

If only there was a way to overcome the drama associated with this traditional end-of-year activity.  There is!  And it’s not just refusing to set goals.  There is a lesser-known way of setting goals that enables moving forward and achieving success without overshooting:  reverse engineering goals.

Choose It and You’re There

The search for success and happiness is as old as time itself.  People have been pondering what is the most direct path to success and happiness since before those terms were even really understood.  Advances in academia and technology coupled with a deeper awareness of what constitutes a “good life” has led people to ask and try to answer what it takes to be successful and happy. 

Prioritization, Focus & Discipline

In the push to succeed and search for enduring happiness, it is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of distractions and lose sight of what truly matters. To achieve those coveted goals, it is essential to master the art of prioritization, focus, and discipline.  Those pave the way.

Prioritizing Health: The Key to Enduring Success and Happiness

In the relentless pursuit of success and happiness, people often overlook the foundation upon which all goals rest: health. The essential pillars of a healthy life—exercise, nutritious food, regular checkups, and sleep—are frequently sacrificed in the name of productivity, ambition, and instant gratification.  This is especially true in the work-obsessed U.S. culture.  However, neglecting the fundamental areas of well-being only serves to undercut one’s ability to achieve aspirations and find lasting contentment.  The relentless pursuit of success and happiness actually undermines achieving both.  That’s not just health-coaching nonsense.  It’s been validated by countless studies.

First Comes Sacrifice

Life coaches, franchise sellers and business advisors seldom use the word “sacrifice” when they are encouraging people to start a business, buy a business or grow a business.  In fact, sacrifice is not a word used much anymore.  It has an underlying connotation of pain, difficulty or loss.  The root words means to give up something valuable… for a greater purpose.  But most people just focus on the “giving up” part. 

The Secret to Success:  Acting in the Service of Others

People deeply want two things in life: to be successful and to be happy.  And so much is said about the relationship between happiness and success.  Are they correlated or does one cause the other?  Are they mutually exclusive or inextricably connected?  Or are there some other variables impacting both?