What is the secret of professional success? Do professional skills matter more or is a good dose of luck needed? Here's a clue: No matter what kind of work you do, it is not skills that really make a difference, but what are known as "soft skills", also known as "subtle skills". In fact, in the recruiting industry it is stated that professional skills are what get us the job interview, while soft skills are what determine whether we will be hired or not.What are soft skills?
In the world of work, professional skills are those that allow us to successfully carry out a certain activity. In computer science, for example, professional skills include, among other things, the knowledge of programming languages and the ability to use them. As for writing instead, it would be the mastery of language and the ability to communicate ideas and feelings.However, there are many good programmers and writers who have never reached the pinnacle of their careers, while others, who are perhaps less capable. from a strictly professional point of view, they have achieved success and maximum social recognition. Why? The answer lies in soft skills, a term that identifies a number of characteristics ranging from our social skills through to our work habits, as well as the ability to manage emotions, self-awareness, also including managerial capacity. These are transversal skills shared by most successful professionals, both within a company and at the level of self-employed professionals.5 skills that will help you excel
Soft skills are those skills, habits and behaviors that distinguish us as professionals and that make a difference when starting a project, resolving a conflict or interacting with others. Today large companies do not limit themselves to looking for competent professionals, but they want people to be able to share the values of the organization and to bring synergy. What are the most important soft skills?1. Social skills A person can be very competent from a technical point of view, but if they do not have certain social skills it will be difficult for them to make a career. Successful professionals are those who understand what motivates the group and are able to emotionally connect with others. It is the people who bring value to the group, who excite it and mediate conflicts or even impose themselves as a leader.Being socially proficient means being able to put yourself in the other person's shoes, but still caring about mind the goal of the project and working towards its realization. This means that we must be able to motivate people by maximizing their productivity and helping to create a pleasant work environment. Therefore, we need to know when it is time to give compliments, but also when and how to criticize.2. Openness to criticism Often, when a person is very competent in his job, he does not accept negative criticism or pretends to be deaf. However, being open to different points of view and opinions is crucial for success in professional life. Remember that sometimes the best advice comes from where you least expect, because that person, who may not be an expert in our field of action or is not working on the project, is able to offer a more objective and innovative perspective. facing criticism is the best way to condemn ourselves to professional failure. Instead, we must learn to listen to what others have to say and then very calmly, evaluate the relevance of the criticisms and, if necessary, change course. Successful professionals know that the more eyes they evaluate a project, the greater the chances of success, as feed back plays a vital role in stimulating growth and improvement, while allowing them to identify new opportunities.
3. Productive habits Even in the most creative business, there are a number of habits that support productivity. For example, a painter or writer needs to establish a routine that allows them to create. It is no coincidence that most of the most successful professionals in literature and the arts were the very ones who established themselves a daily work routine by eliminating all distractions.However, contrary to what most people think, productive habits include not only the work routine, but also regular breaks and other activities that stimulate creativity. Successful professionals are the ones who know when it's time to take a break, they are the ones who know how to strike the right balance between work and rest.
4. Integrity Many people believe it is a mortal sin to confess that they do not dominate all areas of their profession or they think that admitting a mistake means digging their own hands within the company. However, this is an archaic view, determined by the belief that we must always act as if we were perfect machines. However, many companies today prioritize values rather than skills, and the ability to learn rather than knowledge. Why? The reason is simple: the world is changing at a breakneck speed, so many companies prefer to rely on people who are able to adapt and develop new skills rather than hiring rigid and refractory professionals. Remember that integrity has not gone out of fashion, today more than ever honest professionals are appreciated, those who are able to recognize their mistakes and who are not afraid to say “I don't know”. When others know that we are honest, responsible and objective professionals, they will trust us and our project.
5. Keep calm Today, many companies work under pressure, due to deadlines or because the market is subject to constant fluctuations. Therefore, recruiters are increasingly interested in knowing how candidates react to stressful situations. Being a competent professional also means staying calm in extreme situations and giving your best under pressure.When we are easy victims of frustration, anger or nervousness we fail to give our best and are more likely to make mistakes. Successful professionals know how to take a step back, freeing themselves from their emotions and evaluating the situation from a more objective point of view. For these people, stress is not a barrier, but a stimulus that increases their productivity.
