Soft Skills for the Workplace

Leadership

A person with this skill possesses innate and learned qualities that allow him or her to take charge and execute a set of objectives with minimal direction, while making the right decisions and executing a set of tasks to accomplish the established goals. These people project a sense of knowing where they're going, as well as the energy to get there, and sustainable commitment to get the job done. They challenge others to to perform at their maximum ability. They can provide appropriate positive feedback and constructive criticism.

Passion

A sense of commitment, excitement, energy, and a yearning to accomplish a set of goals rooted deeply in self satisfaction upon accomplishing the goals.

Initiative

Also called a Self Starter. Term means you are able to identify things that need to be done, and start doing them without having to be told. This person can outline worthwhile objectives (either informally or through a formal process), determine who can perform the tasks required to accomplish those objectives, determine first steps, get buy-in, and start the process by accomplishing initial tasks and energizing others.

flexibility / adaptability

Are you able to adapt to new situations and challenges? Will you embrace change and be open to new ideas? Will you be locked into your previous company's procedures and fail to see the importance of adapting to new ways?

Communication

Are you both verbally articulate and a good listener? Do you make eye contact when you talk to people? Does your body language deliver the message that's needed? The ability to interpret feedback (including verbal reaction, facial expressions, body language) sets some employees apart. Asking probing questions to ensure complete transfer of knowledge, thought, or feeling indicates a high level of communication skill.

strong work ethic

Are you motivated and dedicated to getting the job done, no matter what? Will you be conscientious and do your best work without being told or supervised?

positive attitude

Are you optimistic and upbeat? Do you keep your negative opinions and comments to yourself unless they lead to correcting a problem or eliminating a potential problem?

problem solving skills

Are you resourceful and able to creatively solve problems that will arise? Will you take ownership of problems or leave them for someone else? Will you refrain from blaming others for your own mistakes?

working under pressure

Can you handle the stress that accompanies deadlines and crises? Will you be able to do your best work and come through in a pinch? Can you maintain focus and work efficiently under pressure?

time management skills

Do you know how to prioritize tasks and work on a number of different projects at once? Will you use your time on the job wisely? Do you work quickly and accurately? It's critical to develop the ability to spend time wisely, assigning one's time to the most important tasks and being as productive as possible. Being organized helps decrease the amount of time looking for lost information, and helps one keep track of important details.

self confidence

Do you truly believe you can do the job? Will you project a sense of calm and inspire confidence in others? Will you have the courage to ask questions that need to be asked and to freely contribute your ideas?

accepting criticism

Does your self-esteem allow you to accept rejection when other team members disagree with you? This skill helps you work through disagreement and the process of arriving at the best solution to a problem.

Ethics

Knowing the principles of right and wrong that guide an individual in making decisions, then making decisions based on those ethics.

Decisiveness

Knowing when one has enough facts to make a decision, being able to defend the decision one makes, and having the tenacity to stick with that decision, altering it only when there is a clear need to do so.

Integrity

Possessing a sense of values, principles and modes of behavior; doing the right thing as defined by the corporation, laws, basic sociological acceptable behavior and thinking, and selflessness.

Perspective

Seeing the big picture or the overall goal of a project, not getting side tracked by a detail.

loyalty

Sticking up for those you work with, not making damaging remarks about those around you

Presentation Skills

The ability to maintain attention and achieve your desired outcome whilte presenting to an audience

Brand

The influence and impression a person or company is building with others or the public.

Punctuality

The skill of being on time for work and meeting deadlines.

team work skills

Will you work well in groups and teams? Will you be cooperative and take a leadership role when appropriate? Can you overcome any tendencies to manipulate situations to your advantage?

responsibility

being accountable, pursuing excellence, and exercising self-restraint; also exhibit the ability to respond to expectations; doing your job; think before you act

citizenship

gives more than takes, doing more than "fair" share to make society work, now and for future generations; includes civic virtues and duties that prescribe how we ought to behave as part of a community; sharing with your community; volunteering; getting involved; staying informed; voting

caring

heart of ethics and ethical-decision making; scarcely possible to be truly ethical and yet unconcerned with the welfare of others; ethics is ultimately about good relations with other people; being kind; being compassionate; forgiving others

fairness

implies adherence to a balanced standard of justice without relevance to one's own feelings or indications; play by the rules be open-minded; not taking advantage of others

trustworthiness

the most complicated of soft skills and includes a variety of qualities that demonstrate how employable a person is, such as honesty, integrity, reliability, and loyalty; being honest; being reliable; doing what you say you'll do; having the courage to do the right thing

respect

while we have no ethical duty to hold all people in high esteem, being tolerant of differences using good manners being considerate of others