Continuing with the topic we started last week, today we’ll be diving further into the top soft skills hiring managers want employees to have. For a brief recap, soft skills are skills applicable to all professions and relate to how you work and interact with others. Most people have some soft skills which they’ve picked up through their education and work experience, however, because these skills are so important for job success, they are something you should continually work on improving. Last week we explored the soft skills: communication, time-management, and problem-solving; this week we’ll be looking at some of the other top soft skills and how you can further develop them.
Positive Attitude
Companies hire employees who they believe will get along well with others and bring a positive, can-do attitude to the office environment. If you’re not feeling very enthusiastic or happy with your current job, having a positive attitude at work can be challenging. While this may be a sign you need to look for a different job, it can also indicate burnout, and taking time off to recharge may be in order. Additionally, surrounding yourself with positive people, and keeping negativity, gossip, and complaints to yourself can also be beneficial. As the saying goes, “misery loves company” the opposite can be true as well. Bringing a positive attitude to the office can help your co-workers be more productive and have more fun in the process. On days you find particularly challenging, instead of venting and complaining to a co-worker, take a step away from work, even if it’s just a few minutes outside to regroup. It’s normal for frustrations and challenges to arise, but if overall you have more good days than bad, remind yourself what it is you do like about your job and see if there’s a different way to view the challenging situation so you can handle it calmly, with grace and positivity.
Growth Mindset
People with a growth mindset have the desire to better themselves and learn from their mistakes. In an article in Harvard Business Review, they sum it up as, “Individuals who believe their talents can be developed (through hard work, good strategies, and input from others) have a growth mindset.” When faced with challenges at work or criticism, if you want to develop a growth mindset, use these as opportunities to learn and grow. A big part of having a growth mindset is not letting setbacks stop you from working towards your end goals. Instead, it’s putting in the hard work and persevering that will eventually get you to where you want to be.
Adaptability
The ability to adapt and continually pivot is key to long-term success in the workplace. Whether it’s managerial changes, added responsibilities, or new challenges at work, it’s important to be able to adjust to changes in your environment. Being open to, and accepting change, will not only help you further your career but also your mental well-being. One of the strategies for dealing with change is by asking questions. When changes occur, it’s important to be clear on what it means for you and bring up any questions or concerns you may have so you can move forward confidently and with a clear understanding. Another part of adaptability is being able to learn quickly and put that knowledge into practice. Through persistence and curiosity, you’ll be able to see and meet changes and grow personally and professionally.