SOFT SKILLS: Learn and unlearn

 We need to have strong soft skills to be an effective employee.  Hard skill is the ability needed directly linked to the job.  Unlike soft skills, hard skills are quantifiable, testable, and often easier to learn.  Interviewers will almost always rate higher those with soft skills.

The word skills has a broad meaning, describing particular ability a person need to be able to master a profession or occupation.  Literature explain soft skills as an umbrella for skills under 3 functional elements that is people skills, personal skills, and career attributes.  Some refers it to personal attributes, behaviours, and social attitudes.  To have them make people flexible in a world which keep changing.

Soft skills are personal attributes typically linked to how we work and interact with others.  They are not restricted to a specific field.  But they are needed in order to keep up with the ever evolving job market.  Actively interacting with others and willing to accept feedback is one way to master soft skills.

There’s a wide range of soft skills which include:

Active Listening 

Adaptability 

Attention To Detail 

Coaching and Mentoring 

Communication (Verbal and Writing)

Conflict Management 

Creativity 

Critical Thinking 

Cultural Competence 

Customer Service 

Decision Making 

Dependability 

Diversity and Inclusion 

Emotional Intelligence 

Empathy 

Enthusiastic 

Financial Management 

Flexibility 

Goal Setting 

Humility 

Initiative 

Innovation 

Interpersonal Skills 

Leadership 

Learning Agility 

Negotiations 

Organisational Skills 

Presentation Skills 

Positive Attitudes 

Problem Solving / Analysis 

Resilience 

Self Motivation 

Stress Management 

Teamwork 

Time Management 

Trust Worthiness 

Work Ethics 

Soft skills are most often developed through life experiences, practices, and also through self reflection.  Also good to remember that soft skills can be learned through various methods.

Reference 

https://virtualspeech.com

en.wikipedia.org

joinhandshake.com

Why Choose To Be Good?

 As a person we are free to choose to do whatever we want, but we are always encouraged to always choose to do the right things.  There’s also this thinking saying that it’s better to be good than to be right.

The term ‘good’ has many angle.  When implying to a person, it actually means they act‘rightly’.  Acting rightly is a matter of doing a right thing (Dr Mikel Burley, Uni of Leeds).

Does being right means we are being good?  Most think that when they are doing right means they are good because it gives us a sense of being uprightness and so we may avoid feeling guilt or shame.  Thus in short, being good means involve obeying the moral rules.  And to obey the moral rules means we do good and thus the good things done are to be of benefit to someone or something.

Having good values means valuing what deserves to be valued.  Reasons why it is good to be good:

1. Necessary for happiness 

2. Having self respect 

3. Able to see what is truly of value in the world 

4. Taking good care of yourself 

5. Live truly happy lives 

After all being said, we are not perfectly good, no matter how hard we try.  We all play many parts and wears different hats.  Most people like to think of themselves as ‘good’ people.  And it’s a choice, one that you have to keep making.  

Reference

https://philosophynow.org

blog.oup.com

bahaiteachings.org

www.quora.com

CARING LEADERSHIP: The Shift Towards Human-Centred Leadership

Modern leadership is characterised by the capacity to cultivate environment where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to realize their full potential.  Caring leadership is the shift towards human-centred leadership which emphasises on well being, growth, and satisfaction of team members.

Even though you must care about people, it will not necessarily make you a good leader; not necessarily you will get along with them, agree on everything or work effectively together.  But caring about others is the initial touchstone that drives people to try harder and make it work.

Work becomes more meaningful when it aligns with a person’s values, passion, strengths and sense of purpose.  Humans are emotional beings who cannot connect with others based on practicality.  Employees feel valued when leaders demonstrate empathy and concern towards them, thus creating a healthy work environment.

Caring leadership supports employee’s autonomy and work life balance, and also offers opportunities for professional development.  They actively listen to the concerns of their employees, give constructive feedback, and recognise their achievements.  They also create environment where everyone feels valued, supported, appreciated, engaged in conversation, challenged as well as being heard.

The 5 pillars of caring leadership

1. Fostering culture of learning 

2. Prioritizing recognition and celebration 

3. Build trust 

4. Facilitating intentional connection 

5. Promoting meaningful work 

When learning is prioritised, mistakes are reframed as learning opportunities rather than failures.  Recognition is served as a powerful motivator where it goes beyond surface level acknowledgment.  Trust, in this case is where individuals feel psychologically safe to express ideas and address challenges.  There exist a deep awareness of the individual needs and experiences, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion.

Leadership is not just about deadlines or numbers, it’s about creating an environment for the people to thrive.  There are 8 reasons why caring leadership is essential:

1. It creates a sense of belonging (feeling of being seen and valued)

2. It builds trust (a glue and foundation of successful team)

3. It boosts morale (people feel appreciated, especially when wins are celebrated)

4. It reduces turnover 

5. It prioritises mental health (balancing work and life)

6. It increases productivity 

7. It encourages creativity 

8. It creates a ripple effect (spreads throughout the team)

Caring leadership focuses on empathy, understanding, and genuine concern for team members. It fosters a positive workplace by creating an environment where people feel valued and supported.  Caring for others helps to develop empathy and the ability to connect with people, even in difficult situations.

Tips to implement caring leadership

1. Listen actively 

2. Create opportunities 

3. Trust your employees 

4. Show appreciation 

Caring leadership is not just about being nice.  It is also one of the most significant contributors to successful leadership.  It can be an important foundation to build effective and ethical leadership.  Being caring does not mean ignoring your leadership responsibilities.  Leadership is not being in charge; it’s about taking care of those in your charge.

Caring for employees will directly affect productivity, customer satisfaction and employee engagement.  People will go the extra mile for leaders who are genuinely concerned with what employees can do and who they are and can become.

Reference:

chapmancommunities.org

managersandleaders.com.au

benardletendre.ca

ivy.partners

https://www.greatplacetowork.com

https://eliotpartnership.com

https://rightflorida.com

https://www.homeinstead.ca

WOMEN: THE PILLAR OF STRENGTH

Strength be it mental strength or physical strength, can be developed.  Being mentally strong is not about how you look, not about being popular, nor is it about earning the most money.  It’s all about character, being a good example for others, and also taking good care of themselves.  So many amazing changes in our world are made by women.

Strong women are confident, optimistic, always have a positive mindset, and are always proud of themselves.  Despite their fears and challenges they face, strong women courageously pushed forward.  They understand that fear is only an emotion.

Fear is far more subtle and we may not even recognise that fear is what we are experiencing.  Fear is normal and sometimes it may even be healthy.  We fear all sorts of things, we fear changes, success, failure, or even our own imagined shortcomings, and most commonly is the fear of letting go.

Strong women overcome their fears to conquer their pain in order to embrace their potential.  A strong woman knows she can do anything and never shies away from a challenge.  They dream big, set extraordinary goals and try to achieve them with enthusiasm.  They do not whine, complain or wallow in self pity.  They look for solutions, they see problems as possibilities, and obstacles as opportunities 

They don’t wait around for someone to save them.  They ask for help when they need it, understanding that it doesn’t equate to weakness.  They appreciate failure and the gifts it can bring. Strong women understand that a new door opens with every failure.

Ways to be mentally strong:

1. Built confidence 

It’s a great sign of self love and helps to stay away from comparing.  Be happy in our own skin and be at peace in our own mind.

2. Be productive 

It makes you feel accomplished and keeps our mind happy.  Also it’s important to take breaks, breathe and avoid getting overwhelmed.

3. Be optimistic and positive 

Bring the good vibes with us everywhere we go.

4. Face your fears 

Face your fears head on, don’t runaway.

5. Be a more caring person 

Always show your care for others and also for yourself.  Develop positive relationships, and do not be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, and remember to always display good morality and values.

6. Always have pride 

Feeling pride about your positive aspect and achievements and accomplishments.  Share that pride, but always remember to remain respectful of others.  Do not make others feel less important.

7. Not being bothered by what other people say 

Sometimes people say hurtful things, but a mentally strong woman can overcome it.  Ignoring those hurtful words or comments is never easy but it’s possible.

8. Being true to yourself 

There’s no need to change ourselves to satisfy others.  Also do not need to change to impress others.

9. Know when to ask for help 

Asking for help is incredibly brave.  Reaching out is often a reflection of the strength.  Be sure to show resilience, courage, and determination in difficult times.

In general, definition of strong women are thought to be assertive, confident, influential, and are also leaders.  Resilience, confidence and physical wellbeing are all the qualities of a strong women.  They are kind, caring and helpful, always soft spoken with high self confidence.  To become stronger, women to develop their internal and external strength.

Reference:

https://discoverymood.com

https://schoolofselfimage.com

THE 3 IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE

ALWAYS TAKE EXTRA CARE OF 3 THINGS IN LIFE:

PROMISE,

FRIENDSHIP, AND

RELATIONSHIP

BECAUSE THEY DON’T MAKE NOISE

BUT WHEN THEY BREAK THEY CREATE SILENCE

INTRODUCTION

The most precious things can easily become lost caused by outside circumstances.  Sometimes we cause ourselves to lose the things that mean the most to us.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMISE

A promise can go a long way in relationships.  Keeping promise builds trust. It also holds a lot of emotional value, so when a promise is broken, there is a decline of trust.

Promise is one of the vital part of building relationships.  When promises are followed through, it will serve to strengthen personal connections whether the connections are with families, friends or even to acquittances.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIP

Studies have shown that friendship can help promote a long and happy life, thus playing an important role in mental health. Friendships are important in every life situation for most people.

THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIP

Human is a relational being and without interaction, human will tend to lose their meaning to live.  Relationships are what define humans.  It gives human the cause to live and to become who they are meant to be.

Relationship is the most crucial factor for happiness and tend to be our reason to live.  Relationships includes with family, and good friends.

Thus we need to nurture the relationship. We do sometimes need to invest in relationship.  There’s also the downside of nurturing when we permit fracture in that relationship even to the extent of letting it become sour which may lead to disregard, resentment, judgment and even blaming.

We need to realise that each of us can contribute differently towards fostering relationships.

REFERENCES

1. https://www.goalcast.com/most-important-things-in-life/

2. https://www.promisesbehavioralhealth.com/addiction-recovery-blog/importance-of-a-promise/

THE PRECIOUS PAST

THE PRECIOUS PAST

The more precious your past is,

The more it should remain in your memories

ALICE (2020), KOREAN DRAMA, NETFLIX

INTRODUCTION

Past is something that has occurred before the present.  Past can also be used to refer to a time before and until the present.  In short, past is simply the set of all events that occurred before a given point in time.  In time, the past will be memories

Memories are very essential in our lives as they allow us to grow and learn to be a better person.  The reflections can help us learn very important life lessons.  Memories make us who we are. It plays a vital role in every aspects of our lives.  Memories also provides us with a sense of self and makes up our continual experience of life.

Some  people find bad experiences stands out more than the good memories

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAPPY MEMORIES

1. Forms the cornerstone of our identity

2. Helps with combating depression and loneliness

3. Influence our current happiness

4. Providing a framework for our hopes and dreams

5. Increase happiness

6. Helps make positive choices

7. Can be used to transform our life

FAMOUS QUOTES

1. AT SOME PART OF LIFE OR THE OTHER, WE ALL BECOME MEMORIES FOR OTHERS.  SO MAKE SURE YOU BE A GOOD ONE

Graciousquates.com

2. …THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE HOLD ON TO MEMORIES SO TIGHTLY IS BECAUSE MEMORIES ARE THE ONLY THING THAT DON’T CHANGE WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE DOES

Quotesgram.com

3. MEMORY IS A RECORD OF YOR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.  IT IS A RECORD OF TRIAL AND ERROR, DEFEAT AND SUCCESS.  PAST FAILURES WILL WARN YOU AGAINST REPEATING THEM

Wilfred Peterson

Inspirationfeed.com

4. MEMORIES,

IMPORTANT YESTERDAYS,

WERE ONCE TODAYS,

TREASURE AND NOTICE TODAY

Gloria Gaither

Inspirationfeed.com

5. A BEAUTIFUL LIFE IS A COLLECTION OF UNFORGETABLE MOMENTS

Living.com.org

SUMMARY

Memories are destined to fade.  It can’t last forever.  People who have happy memories tend to be happier overall.  Remembering happy things from the past can improve mood and increase happiness.

REFERENCES

1. merrian-webster.com

2. dictionary.cambridge.org

3. wikipedia.org

4. www.albertafilipinojournal

5. www.goodtherapy.org.blog

6. www.marieclaire.co.uk

7. www.verywellmind.com

8. https://monq.com/eo/nostalgia/remembering-happy-memories-make-happier/

BLINDSPOT IN LEADERSHIP

BLINDSPOT IN LEADERSHIP

INTRODUCTION

Blind spots is said to be the Achilles heel of leadership.  Blind spots are personal traits or aspects unknow to us that may limit our action, reaction, behaviour or believe, and therefore limit our effectiveness.  Blind spots are personal traits or aspects unknow to us that may limit our action, reaction, behaviour or believe, and therefore limit our effectiveness.

According to Robert Bruce Shaw, author of Leadership Blindspots, blind spots are unrecognized weaknesses or threats that can hinder a leader's success.  Leaders are blind to what they most need to improve.

As leaders ascend through the organization, it was found that self-awareness and emotional intelligence decline.  According to Travis Bradberry, the author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, middle managers stand out with the highest EQ scores with CEOs, on the average, having the lowest EQ scores.

THE SPOTTED BLINDSPOTS

1. Doing it alone/afraid to ask for help

2. Being insensitive of own behaviours on others

3. Having an ‘I know’ attitude

4. Avoiding conflicts

5. Blaming others or circumstances

6. Treating commitments casually

7. Conspiring against others

8. Withholding emotional commitment

9. Not taking a stand

10. Tolerating ‘good enough’

THE COMMON CAUSES

1. Pride bordering arrogance

i. Overconfidence

ii. Overly positive

iii. Power 

2. Frequent unseen weakness

i. Spending time on operations rather than strategic thinking

ii. Relying on own opinions

iii. Inability to balance the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of reaching a goal

iv. Relying on assumptions

v. Over-valuing how things are done in the past

3. Old school leadership mentality

SUMMARY

A leader who really knows their own strengths, weaknesses, and effect on others is more successful in their leadership role.

REFERENCES

1.    https://www.discprofiles.com/blog/2021/01/uncover-your-leadership-blind-spots

2.    https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2020/05/08/overcoming-leadership-blind-spots

3.  https://www.inc.com/marissa-levin/the-top-10-leadership-blind-spots-and-5-ways-to-turn-them-into-strengths