Yourstrulyme

When I started my career in marketing, I thought technical skills were everything. Especially after shifting careers, building the necessary skills required for the industry was a challenge. Some days, meetings would be confusing as I struggled to understand what was discussed amongst the teams. This knowledge gap often intimidated me and it was easy to feel out of place. But slowly I realized that knowing what to do is only half the battle. The other half was knowing how to act in different scenarios. I believe that’s where the soft skills come in.

One of the skills that would top my list is being Adaptable. It starts with the willingness to learn. Instead of resisting change, it was important to quickly understand the nature of work, how teams function, and the interdependence between teams within the organization. Setting achievable goals and celebrating small wins helped to progress further.

Next would be curiosity. This opened up newer opportunities. While things seemed unfamiliar, asking questions helped. However trivial it may seem to others, ask them anyway. There is always the fear of being judged. But I think it’s better to set that fear aside and prioritize learning.

Building conversations was another hurdle to overcome. For a person who is hesitant to open up and start a discussion – this seemed very challenging. I sought comfort in people and environments to truly open up. However, all workplaces may not provide that comfort all the time. Though, I am working on it myself. I think it is a key skill to succeed.

Taking ownership of your work is another skill that matters. Commitment naturally brings accountability. Whether things went right or wrong, owning my ideas and responsibilities gave me the confidence to move forward and learn from the outcomes.

Looking back, I’ve seen how the soft skills demonstrated by my managers and other colleagues influenced my growth. Here’s what I saw in them:

Most of my teammates were empathetic. They understood the strengths and weaknesses of people. They provided the necessary support, time, and space to grasp things. They were kind enough to explain concepts in detail whenever I approached them with a question.

The teams I worked with built a friendly and inclusive environment. There were lighter conversations, curiosity about other people’s interests, and a space to exchange new ideas. It eventually offered an avenue to understand different perspectives and helped break the boundaries of self-doubt.

They focused on critical feedback rather than criticism. While the former helps in improvement, the latter often leads to breaking confidence. Constrictive feedback involves finding aspects of improvement, organizing ideas, and guiding on the right path to thinking – showing the qualities of a great problem solver.

Soft skills go beyond workplaces. They shape our personality and identity. It is of value in building strong relationships, connecting with people, solving interpersonal conflicts and day-to-day interactions. Like any other skill, soft skills are not innate. They can be built and improved over practice and time. And, these skills are agnostic of the field you are in. Technical skills may hone your craft but soft skills lay the foundation for growth. Mastering them is not just valuable – but essential.