PAPERmaking! g FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TECHNOLOGY ® Volume 8, Number 2, 2022
1. Creative thinking Creative thinking is not just relevant for those in ‘creative’ industries such as art, design or music. T he ability to generate new ideas and think outside the box to come up with imaginative solutions to problems, are sought-after skills for employees in any field. In the workplace, creative thinking also means taking risks and not being held back by the fear of making a mistake. Fear of failure is one of the main obstacles to innovation and those who accept that the road to success is paved with setbacks are more likely to reach their desired destination. 2. Communication skills This is a huge area, encompassing not only your face-to-face interactions but also your digital communication with clients, colleagues, team members and senior managers. An estimated 246 billion emails are sent and received globally every day and each email you write needs be properly worded to stand out for the right reasons. Improving your verbal and non-verbal communications skills is one of the best investments you can make. Being able to clearly and calmly convey your ideas and opinions will help you advance your career and improve your relationships, no matter what industry you work in. 3. Time management Knowing how to organise both your daily and long-term schedule to get your projects done efficiently and on time is particularly important when so many people are working remotely. Are you disciplined enough to set goals for yourself and focus on your work without a manager looking over your shoulder? Good time management skills will help you increase productivity by eliminating distractions and prioritising your tasks. It also has the added benefit of reducing stress and boosting your reputation for being a trusted and reliable member of the team. 4. A growth mindset People with a growth mindset are motivated to learn new skills to adapt to changes and reach higher levels of achievement. They recognise that learning is a life-long process and that investing in yourself is essential if you want to get ahead. If you have a fixed mindset, you are more likely to respond defensively to feedback and feel intimidated by other people’s success. Developing a growth mindset will help you view feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow. You will also be more inclined to celebrate your colleagues’ accomplishments and draw inspiration from them. 5. Adaptability This past year has highlighted the need for employees to cope well with change in the workplace. Adaptability is important when it comes to taking on additional responsibilities, tackling new projects and adjusting to new strategies or team members. Having the ability to r espond effectively even when things don’t go as planned and embracing new ways of working are also key for anyone in a leadership position. 6. Emotional intelligence (EQ) Professional networking site LinkedIn identified emotional intelligence as one of the top five soft skills employers were looking for in 2020 and its importance has only become more prominent in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Emotional intelligence refers to your ability to recognise and manage both your own and other people’s emotions. Highly developed EQ skills enable you look at situations from other perspectives, treat your co- workers with empathy and better navigate the interpersonal relationships that develop in the workplace. 7. Collaboration ‘Team work makes the dream work’ but sometimes collaborating with your co -workers is easier said than done. Conflicts and disagreements are an inevitable part of working with others but open communication and a collaborative approach to problem solving will help you move past them in a calm, measured way.
Article 12 – Soft Skills
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