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Corporate Learning World
Nine Essential Soft Skills Personal Attributes and Interpersonal Abilities that enhance an individual’s interactions, job performance and career prospects
What's important to realize is that companies are aware that a person's soft skills is an important part of their individual contribution to the success of an organization.
Corporate Learning World Calgary, AB, CANADA
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http://CorpLW.footprintsherpa.net
Corporate Trainer / Facilitator & EntrepreneurEsperanza Montalvo
My intention is to bring out the potentiality of our clients - whether they are in a company or working for themselves, which in turn impacts their personal effectiveness.
Presenter
http://CorpLW-web.footprintsherpa.net
Strategist, Entrepreneur and InnovatorGustavo Munévar
My primary focus is creating learning experiences that build upon existing knowledge and skills; solve fundamental challenges and needs in learning; and tracking training impacts in financial terms.
Editor
Corporate Learning World
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Nine Essential Soft Skills The rules for succeeding in business are changing daily - talented, knowledgeable people plus innovative products is what contributes to success
Why this e-Book?
This free e-Book shows you the 9 Essential Soft Skills and gives you some Tips for each of them. You can also find out, on a Survey, your level of awareness regarding Soft Skills.
Note: All of us need to continuously work on our Soft Skills since “continuous learning” is perhaps one of the most important ones.
In this e-book, we will discuss some of the recommended strategies to enhance your People’s Skills, key pitfalls to avoid, and tips to consistently improve your Inter-relations and Results.
Keep this e-book as a quick reminder and reference.
Give to others and encourage them to visit our Blog & Website.
You can browse this book however you choose.
Go from page to page or jump to wherever you desire!
http://CorpLW.footprintsherpa.net
http://CorpLW-web.footprintsherpa.net
Experience the Nine Essential Soft Skills
required to succeed!
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Content
Why this e-book? …………………………………………………… 3
Introduction ……………………………………………………………6
Nine Essential Skills Categorized as People Skills ……………… 7
Communication Skills …………………………………………………………. 9
Local Language Skills ……………………………………………………….. 10
Presentation Skills ………………………………………………………….... 11
Small Talk ……………………………………………………………………… 12
Leadership and Initiative ………………………………………………………13
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation ………………………………………... 14
Accepting Constructive Criticism ……………………………………………. 15
Flexibility ……………………………………………………………………….. 16
Business Etiquette …………………………………………………………….. 17
Bonus Skill – One of the most important Skills ………………… 18
Questions & Answers ……………………………………………… 19
Your Soft Skills Survey …………………………………………….. 23
CLW – SOFT SKILLS Solutions, Services, and Products ……… 24
“There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth … not going all the way, and not starting.”
-- Hindu Prince Gautama Siddartha, The founder of Buddhism, 563-483 a.c.
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Introduction The Corporate Learning World has been developing training experiences on Soft Skills for your benefit. What's Soft Skills Got To Do With You?
Enhancing your Soft Skills at critical times can make the difference between a failed
promotion and a successful one. It is often a significant success factor in
capturing your potential versus wasting it, and can mean the difference between a career turnaround or termination. How Can People Skills Be More Impactful? We will discuss:
• Nine types of skills categorized as People Skills • Impactful implications when lacking these skills • In-the-moment soft skills techniques • Specific recommendations for each of the skills • Practical application of an essential skill - Conscious Feedback • You and your Soft Skills competence
Who Needs Soft Skills and Why?
• Everyone from all levels of the organization • Companies Don’t succeed. People Do!
Why Companies benefit from Consultants’ Expertise?
• Although senior leaders and managers see the value in gaining soft skills for their employees, they are inconsistent because they feel they don't have the time
• Some leaders lack soft skills themselves • Soft Skills expertise is different than managerial or leadership expertise • Consultants are relatively neutral, confidential and focused on the leaders /
managers developmental success, not their performance evaluation/ranking • They are not constrained by internal work deadlines and crisis and can provide
the needed structure and time for incorporating / expanding soft skills in pursuing professional and business objectives
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Nine Essential Skills Categorized as People Skills
Join CLW Webinar Series on Soft Skills
Thrive in your job and receive the promotions and recognition you deserve.
Establish the connections required to create Performance & Results in any area of your life.
From showing empathy while giving feedback, and optimism when dealing with obstacles, to self-awareness so as to know what’s going on around you and others - these and other competencies are now becoming an integral part of progressive organizations.
Benefit from the programs on Soft Skills we have developed at Corporate Learning World. Visit http://CorpLW-web.footprintsherpa.net
You can browse this book however you choose.
Go from page to page or jump to wherever you desire!
The first step in finding your way somewhere is to discover where you are, to begin with.
-- Polly Berends, 1990
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Nine Essential Soft Skills
by
Esperanza Montalvo
Corporate Learning World
Join us Twitter using #CorpLW
AgendaReflecting on people skills
New Economy = New Reality
The 9 Soft Skills known as People Skills
Food for thought!
Questions & Answers
Companies Don’t Succeed. People Do!
Tom Peters, Management & Leadership Consultant
Did you know?
What’s the message?New Economy …
The 9 Soft Skills
Soft Skills = People Skills
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1. Communication Skills
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
-- Martin Luther King
How do I communicate?
1. Communication Skills
Tips for persuasive communication
Focus on the people receiving your message
Use persuasive words, especially ‘you’
Eliminate barriers to persuasive communication, like spelling mistakes
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2. Local Language Skills
What are you saying?
2. Local Language Skills
In a corporate environment, your language skills have to evolve to understand local phrases andbusiness jargon
FYI, ASAP and ROI
Tips on local language skills
Gatekeeper [n] - A person within an organization that controls the flow of information to and from managers. Can often be valuable friends.
Hand-holding [v.] Helping someone perform a task that, because of inexperience or incompetence, they cannot complete on their own.
Time-poor [adj.] Possessing little free time.
True North [n.] The business direction that leads to success. "We've brought insome consultants to help steer us to True North."
Sacred cow [n.] A program or product that can be unprofitable but cannot be questioned.
Unpack [v.] To explore and examine on detail.
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3. Presentation Skills
Here I am …
3. Presentation Skills
This could mean a formal presentation to clients or;
a more casual way of presenting yourself in meetings and with colleagues
Tips for presentation skills
Focus on the audience – We become nervous when we focus on ourselves
Remember People’s Names
Connect with the Audience through Eye Contact and Pauses
Do you know about Toastmasters?
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4. Small Talk
What Should I say …
4. Small Talk
Water cooler chitchat is part of corporate life
recognize which topics are “taboo” in Canada or/and in your Company
Tips for small talk
Stay away from religion / strong political beliefs
Find common interests
Listen & Ask Questions
“The best conversationalist is not the best speaker but the best listener!”
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5. Leadership and Initiative
Where is my place?
5. Leadership and Initiative
Staying invisible is why many professionals are overlooked when it comes to promotions
Take initiative, share ideas, ask questions, and encourage others to collaborate
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6. Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
How could I deal with this?
6. Conflict Resolution and NegotiationLearn how to disagree with a co-worker or even your boss without getting emotional
when things go to far, learn to apologize
Tips for conflict resolution
Focus on the best solution, not ‘my’ solution
Always take responsibility when a conflict arises – ‘It takes two to tango’
Let go of desire to win. Work towards toResolve.
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7. Accepting Constructive Criticism
What about feedback?
7.
Tips for receiving criticism
Take suggestions irrespective of who suggest them – look at the suggestion and not who is doing it
Don’t take it personal
Take your time to Reply – First start with what you agree then what you disagree with
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8. Flexibility
Changing again?
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9. Business Etiquette
What do I need to do?
9. Business EtiquetteWorkplace customs and practices may be different in Canada
Tips for business protocol
Communicate more with spoken word than body language
Keep personal distance
Prefer details and backup evidence such as examples
Expect others to speak in a straight forward manner
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Bonus Skill Bonus Skill - One of the most important Skills “““CCCooonnntttiiinnnuuuooouuusss LLLeeeaaarrrnnniiinnnggg””” If we don’t grow, we shrink! There is ‘no’ staying the same. We either grow or shrink. As we learn each day, our mind and perspective towards life and work expand, leading us towards the direction we desire.
Food for Thought!
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Questions & Answers By Esperanza Montalvo
How can I make a difference between chitchat and gossiping? Chitchat is talking about trivial information and it is done as an icebreaker or simply filling time. Gossiping, on the other hand, it’s a harmful conversation that only produces an environment of resentment and discord. • Avoid gossiping by walking away from it, or • Changing the subject.
Become known for being someone who detests gossiping.
When a conflict has started, what do I need to do? You have two choices: Feed into the conflict; or Stop the conflict and create a Dialogue (instead)
• Often it’s our desire to “be right” what feeds a conflict. • Ask inwardly: what did I do or said to cause this. • As soon as we begin “listening” to the other point of view, and
understand that “the other has the right to his opinion”, we began a dialogue where both parties are listened to respectfully.
• It takes an attitude of respect for the opinions of others to create Dialogue and stop a conflict.
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What do I need to do to improve my presentation skills? • Practice, practice, practice. • Ask your team leader to give you the opportunity to present as much
as possible. • Create opportunities for yourself at a community centre, a church, a
club. • Join Toastmasters International (Google). • Choose one Tip (on slides) and practice it until you master it, then
choose the next one. Is there a method or technique to quickly learn a specific industry jargon? • Go to the library. You will find books on every industry’s jargon. • Easier yet, Google it. You will find jargon for engineers, lawyers,
business, accountants, you name it. • Pay attention to your colleagues. When you don’t understand an
expression, ask confidently what it means. • Ask, Ask, Ask.
What do you recommend us to improve our communication skills? • “Decide” that you want to improve your communication • Use words of affirmations: “I am an effective communicator”. “I am
connecting with others as I communicate”, etc. • Listen with the intention “to understand and connect” – not to win, be
right, or better than others. • Be willing to learn from others so pay attention to what they say. • Communication is more “an attitude” than anything else. As we
change our attitude, the way we communicate changes.
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What do I do when I have a conflict with a colleague? • Always make yourself 50% responsible and have the attitude of
“solving a problem where you are also the cause”. • Clarify the problem and invite the other to resolve “our problem” not
his or hers. • Listen actively without interrupting. • Always thank the other person for wanting to work on solving the
conflict.
What is the best way to get feedback about work that has been done? Usually here they don’t tell you anything and I have to assume. If feedback is not given to you, your job is to ask for it. Some managers believe that only when things are not working, should feedback be given (this is the old style of leadership). Take initiative and ask for it. Be willing to hear about areas for improvement, and welcome all suggestions (if provided).
What would you do when you are dealing with a ‘manipulative’ person, whom you need to keep a long term relationship with, for instance, your boss, your best customer, etc. First of all, look at your perception – a manipulative person. When we learn that others only treat us as we allow them to, we are ready to solve the problem.
Step #1 - Look within yourself.
I could say, be assertive and confident, ask for what you want and so on. Yes. This is one way. I also know that we need to keep our jobs and relationships. We call 'manipulative' people those who can trigger our sensitivity and get us to do what 'they' desire. So, your job is to become aware of where and when this person plays with your weaknesses. Pay attention. You need to "Know Yourself" to respond not from a place of Fear but from a place of Awareness.
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Step #2
When you feel manipulated, ask yourself: what is he or she doing that makes me feel this way? Pay attention and begin discovering the reason you feel such way.
For now, you asked the question so you are on your way to solve the situation. You are now aware that something needs to change.
Step #3
Begin changing within yourself what needs to be changed. Perhaps you are uncomfortable with conflict. Perhaps you are uncomfortable expressing your opinions, etc. You need to discover what your fears are and work on them.
When we look within, we Awaken!
Corporate Learning World
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Your Soft Skills Survey Here’s an opportunity for you to figure out whether you have or lack Soft Skills. Beside each question, write the number that most closely represents how you’d react, most of the time. For the best results, go with your first reaction.
3. Most of the time 2. Sometimes 1. Mostly No
_____ Can you be optimist when others aren’t? _____ Do you speak well of your employer? _____ Do you follow instructions willingly? _____ Do you keep promises? _____ Do you know your weaknesses and work to
improve them? _____ Do you respect other people’s opinions? _____ Can you adapt easily to new and unexpected
situations? _____ Do you tend to be enthusiastic about whatever
you do? _____ Are you a good listener _____ Can you disagree without being disagreeable? _____ Do you usually speak well of others? _____ Do you generally look for opportunities and the
bright side of things? _____ Are you enthusiastic about other people’s
interests? _____ Are you comfortable asking questions? _____ Do you understand that your success is about
your Personal Development
_____ Do you tolerate other people’s beliefs? _____ Can you work with someone you dislike? _____ Do you admit your mistakes? _____ Do you avoid gossiping and complaining? _____ Do you ask questions and take initiative? _____ Do you involve others on a day to day
conversations? _____ Are you familiar with taboo topics in your
organization? _____ Are you willing to give presentations when
asked? _____ Do you connect with people easily? _____ Do you learn people’s names easily? _____ Do you ask questions out of your interest to
others? _____ Can you take and give feedback understanding
its value? _____ Do you follow Business etiquette in your
interactions? _____ Are you familiar with cultural differences? _____ Are you a continuous learner? _____ Total (Maximum score: 90 )
Total your score and rate yourself according to the following scale: 80 – 90 Your Soft Skills are terrific! 59 – 79 Your Soft Skills are definitely admirable! 38 – 58 Your Soft Skills need work in certain areas Below 37 Your Soft Skills need a lot of work. Take a close look at them and do
something about it.
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You can rely on our expertiseLet us help you expand your Soft Skills
Online Conscious Feedback CourseDiscover the world of people's motivation and
build your knowledge upon a variety of situations.
Conscious CoachingCommunication with Impact
Emotional IntelligenceInterpersonal Skills
Leadership
http://CorpLW.footprintsherpa.net
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Corporate Learning World