Soft Skills Improvement

I got fired twice because I had poor soft skills. Then, I became VP at Amazon, where my job was more than 80% based on soft skills. This was possible because I stopped being an outspoken, judgmental critic of other people and improved my soft skills. Here are 4 areas you can improve: Soft skills are one of the main things I discuss with my coaching clients, as they are often the barrier between being a competent manager and being ready to be a true executive. Technical skills are important, but soft skills are the deciding factor between executive candidates a lot more than technical skills are. Four “soft skill” areas in which we can constantly improve are: 1) Storytelling skills Jeff Bezos said, “You can have the best technology, you can have the best business model, but if the storytelling isn’t amazing, it won’t matter.” The same is true for you as a leader. You can have the best skills or best ideas, but if you can’t communicate through powerful storytelling, no one will pay attention. 2) Writing Writing is the foundation of clear communication and clear thinking. It is the main tool for demonstrating your thinking and influencing others. The way you write will impact your influence, and therefore will impact your opportunities to grow as a leader. 3) Executive Presence Executive presence is your ability to present as someone who should be taken seriously. This includes your ability to speak, to act under pressure, and to relate to your team informally, but it goes far beyond any individual skill. Improving executive presence requires consistently evaluating where we have space to grow in our image as leaders and then addressing it. 4) Public Speaking As a leader, public speaking is inevitable. In order the get the support you need to become an executive, you must inspire confidence in your abilities and ideas through the way you speak to large, important groups of people. No one wants to give more responsibility to someone who looks uncomfortable with the amount they already have. I am writing about these 4 areas because today’s newsletter is centered around how exactly to improve these soft skills. The newsletter comes from member questions in our Level Up Newsletter community, and I answer each of them at length. I'm joined in the newsletter by my good friend, Richard Hua, a world class expert in emotional intelligence (EQ). Rich created a program at Amazon that has taught EQ to more than 500,000 people! The 4 specific questions I answer are: 1. “How do I improve my storytelling skills?” 2. “What resources or tools would you recommend to get better in writing?” 3. “What are the top 3 ways to improve my executive presence?” 4. “I am uncomfortable talking in front of large crowds and unknown people, but as I move up, I need to do this more. How do I get comfortable with this?” See the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gg6JXqF4 How have you improved your soft skills?

I’m a dad. And I’m a better attorney because it. Here’s 5 soft skills that have improved: 1. Listening. Kids often take a while to find the right words. It’s my job as a dad to help my boys find their words through active listening. It’s no different with clients. 2. Compassion. Feelings. Lots of feelings. What I may perceive as an innocuous moment can turn into a complete meltdown. Compassion helps me pause. And take a second to understand the situation from a different perspective. This is a huge help when working through emotionally charged situations. 3. Communication. I use my normal vocabulary with my kids, which may include big words. This often prompts questions. Or silence. In turn, I will offer explanations, provide examples, or use synonyms. Taking an extra minute to ensure my audience understands a concept has universal applicability. 4. Patience. Putting two kids to sleep after a full day gives “patience” a new meaning. Everything with kids requires patience. It’s a requisite of parenting. Conveniently, this skill has immense value when working with junior attorneys, difficult opposing counsel, and demanding clients. 5. Prioritization. Before kids, I’d have days where I’d work from early morning through late night. No break. No other actives. Just work. Kids change that. Which is healthy and necessary. The reduced availability helps create greater focus and better use of time. #lawdad #generalcounsel #law

🦷 Recap: “Dentistry Beyond Clinical Proficiency – Developing Soft Skills for Future Dentists” I was honored to speak with the Azerbaijan Dental Student Union on a topic that truly defines the next generation of oral healthcare professionals — soft skills in dentistry 💬✨  While technical excellence remains essential, our success as dentists depends equally on our human abilities: to connect, communicate, empathize, and lead.  💡 What Are Soft Skills?   Soft skills are the interpersonal and emotional competencies that shape how we work and interact — including:   🤝 Communication & empathy   🧠 Emotional intelligence   👥 Teamwork & leadership   🌍 Cultural competence   🌱 Adaptability & professionalism  📚 The Evidence  Research continues to show that soft skills influence patient trust, treatment acceptance, and workplace culture often more than clinical skill alone. In essence, how we care is as important as what we do. 🧑🏫 Teaching Soft Skills in Dental Education   We discussed modern strategies to integrate soft skill development into dental curricula, such as:   🎭 Role-playing and communication simulations   🪞 Reflective journaling and mentorship   🤝 Interprofessional collaboration exercises   💻 Technology-enhanced learning tools  These interactive methods foster not just competence, but compassion and self-awareness—two traits every future dentist should cultivate.  💆♂️Burnout Management & Prevention  We also explored burnout—an increasing challenge for both students and faculty. Strategies included:   🧘 Mindfulness and reflection   🗣 Supportive academic environments   ⚖️ Workload balance and emotional resilience training  When we take care of ourselves and each other, we can better care for our patients.  🤖Technology to Enhance Soft Skills  Innovations like virtual simulations and AI-based patient communication trainers are creating safe spaces for students to practice empathy, tone, and decision-making before stepping into the clinic.  ❤️In Summary Dentistry is not only about hands-on precision but also about heart-led interaction.  Soft skills are the bridge between knowledge and connection, transforming good dentists into exceptional ones.  Thank you to the Azerbaijan Dental Students’ Union, especially Erfan Hatami, for your energy, engagement, and inspiring commitment to advancing dental education worldwide 🌍👏  Let’s continue shaping the profession where science, technology, and empathy meet.  #Dentistry #DentalEducation #SoftSkills #BurnoutPrevention #EmotionalIntelligence #Leadership #DentalStudents #ProfessionalDevelopment #FutureDentists #CompassionateCare #DentalTeaching

Want to level up your career? Skip another certificate. Double down on these skills: Soft skills aren't "soft". They matter in every role, They don't lose value, And they're more and more what employers hire and promote for. Especially in an AI-driven world. Yet for some reason it's still much easier to find courses on hard skills. And soft skill training is rare. Let's fix that. Here are 16 of the most important soft skills, With do's and don'ts to help you build yours: 1) Strong Work Ethic ↳Do: Work hard without needing to be asked and without complaining ↳Don't: Think this is about hours - results matter most of all 2) Professional Conduct ↳Do: Earn trust by speaking and acting maturely at all times ↳Don't: Assume you can cross the line just because the setting feels relaxed 3) Growth-Oriented Mindset ↳Do: Invite feedback, stay open to learning, and apply both ↳Don't: Believe you already know it all 4) Dependability ↳Do: Do what you say you will do, by when you said you would do it ↳Don't: Make promises you won't keep 5) Flexibility ↳Do: Rework your plan when you get new information ↳Don't: Refuse to adjust after setbacks 6) Attentive Listening ↳Do: Listen to understand, not to reply, and validate what people say ↳Don't: Ignore the importance of body language 7) Self-Insight ↳Do: Know how others experience your words and actions ↳Don't: Avoid self-reflection or act like you're above critique 8) Managing Your Time ↳Do: Set priorities and stay organized, so you keep your work under control ↳Don't: Let distractions hijack your attention and drain your time 9) Emotional Control ↳Do: Learn to spot emotions and manage your responses ↳Don't: Skip the pause when things get heated 10) Being a Good Teammate ↳Do: Be someone people enjoy working with ↳Don't: Think this means being a pushover - you can still be yourself 11) Clear Communication ↳Do: Speak and write clearly and simply ↳Don't: Use complicated language, hide your point, or ramble 12) Reading People ↳Do: Notice reactions, body language, and other people's mood ↳Don't: Avoid asking when you're unsure how they're feeling 13) Self-Motivation ↳Do: Start projects fast and without being asked ↳Don't: Need constant hand holding or repeated encouragement 14) Team Collaboration ↳Do: Work well with others, sharing ideas and credit ↳Don't: Assume you'd be better off solo 15) Mental Toughness ↳Do: Treat every setback like a lesson ↳Don't: Stay down after you get knocked down 16) Personal Integrity ↳Do: Be honest and ethical, whether or not anyone will notice ↳Don't: Think you can cover things up Master these, and you'll succeed in any role. What skills am I missing? --- ♻️ Repost to help your network level up their careers. And follow me George Stern for more professional growth content.

Everyone keeps talking about soft skills but what are they and how do you build them? 1. Communication - Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions, - Listen to understand, not just to reply, - Handle disagreements by focusing on solutions, not egos. 2. Adaptability - Expect change and plan for it instead of resisting it, - Step outside your comfort zone regularly, - See challenges as a chance to learn and grow. 3. Problem-Solving - Focus on the 20% of actions that drive 80% of results, - Anticipate roadblocks and have backup strategies, - Test small-scale solutions before making big decisions. 4. Leadership - Communicate a clear vision and the why behind it, - Empower those around you instead of micromanaging, - Listen more than you speak. Great leaders are great listeners. 5. Time Management - Tackle two-minute tasks immediately, - Prioritise by urgency and long-term impact, - Set aside time weekly to reflect and realign your tasks. 6. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) - Build self-awareness through reflection and mindfulness, - Strengthen empathy by truly understanding others’ perspectives, - Learn techniques to manage stress and regulate emotions. 7. Creativity - Set aside distraction-free time for deep thinking, - Experiment with new ideas without fear of failure, - Surround yourself with diverse perspectives and inspiration. 8. Resilience - Treat setbacks as stepping stones, not stop signs, - Focus on long-term goals, even when progress feels slow, - Push your boundaries because discomfort leads to growth. The best part? These skills compound over time. Start small, be consistent, and watch them transform your career. ♻ Reshare to help others develop these essential skills!

If I had to restart my tech career today, these are the 9 soft skills I’d learn first: 1. Master the 4-Line Update ↳ What you’re doing, what’s done, what’s blocked, what’s next. ↳ Clear updates make you look organized and reliable. 2. Understand the 7-38-55 Rule ↳ Words matter less than tone and presence. ↳ How you say it often matters more than what you say. 3. Record yourself in meetings ↳ You don’t sound how you think you sound. ↳ Sharpen clarity. Cut filler words. Improve delivery. 4. Send Weekly Updates ↳ Friday recap: wins, risks, next steps. ↳ Visibility compounds — especially during review season. 5. Say Thank You Specifically ↳ “Thanks for fixing that prod issue last night” > “Good job.” ↳ Specific recognition builds real trust. 6. Be the Person Who Unblocks the Team ↳ See friction? Fix it or escalate it. ↳ Initiative gets remembered. 7. Leave Things 1% Better ↳ Improve a doc. Clean a script. Simplify a process. ↳ Small upgrades compound over time. 8. Review Yourself Monthly ↳ What did you learn? What would you do differently? ↳ Growth doesn’t happen accidentally. 9. Eliminate Complaining & Gossip ↳ Your words shape your reputation. ↳ Propose solutions instead. The AI era is accelerating. Hard skills evolve fast. Tools change. Frameworks get replaced. What doesn’t change? Your reputation. Your initiative. The trust you build. Soft skills aren’t optional in 2026. They’re leverage. If this resonates, share it with your team.

In an ever-evolving corporate landscape, it's not just technical acumen that leads to success – it's the ability to communicate, collaborate, and connect on a deeply human level. Many of the world's most successful executives understand this nuance, and I want to share with you two game-changing methods to hone these essential soft skills within your team: role playing and strategically-matched group activities. 1. Role Playing: This isn't just child's play. Role-playing pushes individuals out of their comfort zones, allowing them to experiment with various communication styles, responses, and approaches. According to the Association for Talent Development (ATD), role-playing is an experiential learning method that can improve interpersonal competencies by over 42%. When team members walk in another's shoes, they not only grasp new perspectives but also sharpen their empathy and adaptability – two cornerstones of influential leadership. 2. Group Activities with Diverse Pairings: Here’s where the magic happens. Purposefully matching team members with different work styles, communication nuances, and personalities is akin to combining unique ingredients to produce a gourmet dish. A study from MIT’s Human Dynamics Laboratory revealed that teams with diverse communication styles outperformed homogenous groups by nearly 35%. By fostering dialogues and interactions between contrasting team members, we organically cultivate an environment where soft skills like patience, understanding, and conflict resolution thrive. By actively engaging in real-time experiences that challenge and stretch interpersonal dynamics, soft skills become not just theoretical concepts but lived experiences. These exercises empower individuals to transform from mere professionals into true leaders, visionaries who inspire change and motivate growth. Dive into these methods, champion them, and watch as your team evolves, becoming not just more cohesive but monumentally more influential. Let the journey to mastery begin!

I used to avoid extracurricular activities in my college days because I thought they would hamper my studies. But when I broke out of that trap and started participating, everything changed, I earned multiple certificates and even received the gold medal in my MBA batch. That experience taught me one thing clearly: 📌 Hard skills can get you in the room, but soft skills decide how far you go. Most people know this, but still don’t work on soft skills because they think it’s abstract and theoretical. Here are practical ways to build soft skills that don’t feel generic: 1. Communication : Record to improve, not to post Pick any topic and speak for 2 minutes while recording yourself. Watch it again and fix 3 things: filler words, confidence, clarity. Do this for 30 days, you’ll notice a transformation. 2. Networking : Give value before asking Instead of messaging strangers with “Can you help me?”, ask “How can I support you?” People remember those who contribute, not those who demand. 3. Problem-solving: Practice decision making, not perfection Pick any 2 choices, select one within 5 minutes, then evaluate the outcome later. Problem solvers are not those who are always right but they are those who can find clarity quickly. 4. Teamwork : Learn how to disagree respectfully Instead of saying “You’re wrong”, say “I see your point, but here’s another perspective.” Conflicts don’t break teams but disrespect does. ➡️ Soft skills aren’t built in classrooms, they’re built through curiosity, observation and daily practice. If hard skills sharpen your mind, soft skills strengthen your impact. Work on both. Your career will thank you. Follow Swati Mathur for more. #softskills

Most leaders think team success = hire the smartest people. Reality? If those smart people can’t collaborate, resolve conflicts, or communicate, your team is stuck. Because technical skills build projects. But soft skills build teams. And after 10+ years of training, here are 7 proven strategies I’ve seen transform teamwork and leadership: 1️⃣ Run regular workshops ➡ Focus on communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Your team will thank you. 2️⃣ Use role-playing exercises ➡ Safe spaces to practice tough conversations. Zero risk, massive rewards. 3️⃣ Start mentorship programs ➡ Pair experienced pros with newer team members. Watch skills transfer naturally. 4️⃣ Create feedback systems ➡ Weekly, constructive feedback = continuous improvement. 5️⃣ Schedule team-building sessions ➡ Not just fun activities—real challenges that demand collaboration. 6️⃣ Invest in leadership training ➡ Future managers need empathy and motivation more than technical know-how. 7️⃣ Set soft skills goals ➡ What gets measured gets done. Build them into development plans. The results? Companies that implement these strategies see: ✔ Improved leadership pipeline ✔ Higher team satisfaction ✔ Stronger collaboration ✔ Better communication ✔ Reduced conflicts Don’t wait for problems to show up. Pick one of these strategies and start building your team’s soft skills today. P.S. Want more updated insights, strategies, and practical tips to grow your team and your career? Join my Career Spotlight Group where I share exclusive guidance every week. 📌 Join here - https://lnkd.in/gB22r3_b #teams #softskills

What do you consider to be more important when applying for roles - technical skills or soft skills? My recruitment career has spanned over 25 years, and the overriding answer has always been that technical skills will get you the interview, but it is your soft skills (or human skills, as I prefer to call them) which will differentiate you and secure you the job offer. As AI becomes more prevalent in our working lives, the ability to be "human" is becoming even more important. Here are some examples of how you can improve your soft (human) skills: 🔹 Active Listening 🗣️ Practice mindful listening to understand and connect with others. Focus on the speaker, avoid interruptions and reflect on what's being said. 🔹 Effective Communication 💬 Improve both verbal and non-verbal communication. Be clear, concise, and considerate in your interactions. 🔹 Emotional Intelligence 🧠 Develop self-awareness and empathy. Learn to manage your emotions and respond to others' feelings appropriately. 🔹 Adaptability 🔄 Embrace change and be open to new ideas. Stay flexible and resilient in the face of challenges. 🔹 Teamwork and Collaboration 🤝 Foster a cooperative spirit and work well with others. Value diverse perspectives and leverage collective strengths. 🔹 Problem-Solving 🔍 Enhance your analytical abilities. Approach problems with creativity and a solution-oriented mindset. 🔹 Critical Thinking 🧩 Analyse situations objectively and make informed decisions. Question assumptions and consider various viewpoints. 🔹 Empathy 💖 Understand and share the feelings of others. Foster a compassionate and supportive work environment. 🔹 Leadership 🌟 Take initiative and inspire others. Cultivate a vision and lead by example. 🔹 Time Management ⏳ Prioritise tasks effectively and set realistic goals. Avoid procrastination and stay organised. How strong are your soft (human) skills? Are you able to provide specific examples for each of these soft skills? If you would like to find out more about how you can build your soft skills and unlock new career opportunities, please write HUMAN in the comments and we can discuss further. 🚀 #SoftSkills #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #WorkplaceSuccess #HumanSkills