Soft Skills: Do's, Don'ts and Resources

The picture in words

Twelve cards in a grid; the first four also appear in the text. The other eight each pair a do with a don’t:

• Emotional intelligence: empathy, not ignoring others’ feelings
• Collaborative efforts: recognising the team, not dismissing others’ ideas
• Analytical thinking: weighing sources critically, not accepting information unquestioned
• Resilience: staying positive, not dwelling on setbacks
• Personal appeal: friendliness, not insincerity or harsh criticism
• Honesty: acting honestly and consistently, not trading ethics for short-term gain
• Professional demeanour: punctuality and deadlines, not overcommitting
• Conflict mediation: fair, direct solutions, not avoidance or escalation

Improving these soft skills will improve your career.

They apply to every role in every industry.

Hard skills will get you in the door.
But these soft skills keep the door open.

Here are 12, with do's, don'ts, and relevant resources:

Strategic Problem Solving

Do: Break down problems into smaller, manageable pieces.
Don't: Rush to conclusions without a full understanding.
Article: The Creative Problem Solving Process (MindTools)

Interpersonal Communication

Do: Engage in active listening and demonstrate that you understand.
Don't: Interrupt or dominate conversations.
Article: How to Listen with Intention (Forbes)

Ongoing Development

Do: Reflect on your performance and seek constructive feedback.
Don't: Ignore feedback or engage in harsh self-criticism.
Article: The Importance of Self-Reflection (Harvard Business Review)

Professional Dedication

Do: Maintain consistent quality in your work.
Don't: Procrastinate or make excuses for poor performance.
TED Talk: The Puzzle of Motivation (D. Pink)

Emotiona …

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Source: Adam Graham on LinkedIn.