Essential Professional Skills

It's time we stop calling these skills soft. In reality, they're essential - And they're increasingly what leaders are hiring and promoting for.   They couldn't be further from soft. Master these 15 essential skills, and you will be unstoppable: 1. Be proactive Take the initiative, starting and giving updates before being asked, and finishing ahead of the deadline 2. Work hard Be the person who works hard without complaint, even if everyone else is searching for shortcuts 3. Be honest Have integrity, telling the truth and doing the right thing no matter the situation 4. Focus on growth Learn to see failure as a learning opportunity, and colleagues as teachers 5. Act reliably Deliver on your promises - consistently 6. Demonstrate professionalism Act in a way that makes people proud to be associated with you 7. Collaborate Work well with others, rather than trying to do everything yourself 8. Be kind Have empathy for your colleagues, and take a genuine interest in their lives 9. Develop emotional intelligence Put in the effort to have control over your emotions, and to develop self-awareness and an awareness of others 10. Show persistence Be resilient in the face of setbacks, pushing forward 11. Be coachable Ask for and act on feedback, and then repeat that cycle relentlessly 12. Adapt Recognize the importance and inevitability of change, and work to adjust quickly when it comes 13. Stay organized Stay on top of your commitments, meeting deadlines and nailing the details 14. Demonstrate accountability Be quick to take ownership and slow to pass the buck or cast blame 15. Develop creativity Give yourself the mental space to be creative, and practice thinking outside the box These skills are what top performers use to shine. Put in the effort to get better at them every day. Any essential skills you'd add to this list? --- ♻ Repost to help your network master these skills. And follow me George Stern for more content like this.

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?

Skills can be taught—character cannot. The best employees might appear when they have integrity, curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn. These qualities matter far more than knowing the latest software or having years of experience in a specific role. I believe in investing in training—because when you hire people with the right character, skills follow naturally. The Four Traits That Truly Matter: 1) Humble Confidence – Owning mistakes while standing firm when needed. 2) Emotional Intelligence – Handling stress and conflict with maturity. 3) Accountability & Reliability – Taking responsibility and following through. 4) Integrity & Conviction – Doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching. A résumé shows what someone can do. Their character shows what they will do. Hire wisely.

People will not stay where they are unappreciated. Low respect ends in high turnover. Emotional intelligence isn't just a 'soft skill.' It's your competitive advantage. Here are 6 ways to lead with it👇 1) Self-Awareness ↳ Set a 2-minute timer to name 3 emotions you felt today ↳ Ask a peer: “How do I show up under pressure?” 2) Self-Regulation ↳ Pause 6 seconds before reacting when triggered ↳ Say: “I’m noticing I feel...” to respond with intention 3) Motivation ↳ Remind your team why the work matters ↳ Celebrate progress, not just outcomes 4) Empathy ↳ Ask: “How’s this affecting you?” and actually listen ↳ Mirror back emotions: “It sounds like you’re feeling...” 5) Social Skills ↳ Start meetings with: “In one word, how are you?” ↳ End with: “What support would help you next?” 6) EQ in Action ↳ Team tension? Acknowledge both sides, name the issue. ↳ Change pushback? Validate issues, co-create next steps. Too many leaders mistake kindness for weakness. But the best leaders know: Empathy drives results. Which EQ habit are you strengthening this week? ♻️ Repost to help more managers lead with clarity—not control. And follow Justin Bateh, PhD for more.

The Most Valuable Career Skill for 2025 Isn't What You Think FACT: Today we are all drowning in data but starving for insight. While AI dominates the headlines, I've observed something far more fundamental separating those who thrive from those who merely survive in today's workplace: "The fusion of critical thinking with emotional intelligence" ➖ Here's why this combination will be career currency in the year ahead: Anyone can access information, but few can effectively: analyze it, identify patterns, and make sound decisions while understanding the human impact of those choices. I've witnessed brilliant technical minds fail because they couldn't navigate the emotional landscape of change. And I've seen supposed "soft skill experts" become irrelevant because they couldn't critically evaluate facts from fiction. ➖ The consistently rising professionals aren't just technically proficient or emotionally savvy – they are BOTH. Critical thinking paired with EI creates the ability to: ↳ Question assumptions while respecting diverse perspectives ↳ Make data-driven decisions without losing sight of human impact ↳ Communicate complex ideas in ways that resonate and inspire action ↳ Navigate organizational politics without compromising integrity According to LinkedIn's skills forecast, AI, data analysis and cloud computing remain in high demand, alongside communication and critical thinking. However, the real differentiator is INTEGRATION, which is the application of technical knowledge WITH emotional awareness. What skills are you prioritizing this year? And how are you balancing the analytical with the emotional? Stay inspired, and follow Joshua Miller for more. #SkillsOnTheRise #CareerDevelopment #FutureOfWork #LeadershipSkills #JoshuaMiller #ExecutiveCoaching #CoachingTips #LitredningTopics

People with high EQ earn up to $29K more per year. Why? Because emotional intelligence drives trust, leadership, and results. Technical skills might land you the job. Emotional intelligence gets you promoted. Most people think strong performance is enough. But here’s the truth: Promotions and raises don’t just go to the most skilled. They go to those who: ✅ Navigate conflict with calm ✅ Communicate clearly under pressure ✅ Make others feel seen and supported That’s emotional intelligence. And it’s one of the most overlooked leadership skills. What does EQ look like at work? 8 powerful ways to show it: 1/ Make space for emotions (even if you disagree). Validating emotions builds connection and trust. ➟ “I can see how that would be frustrating.” 2/ Set boundaries without apologizing. Clear limits show self-respect and strength. ➟ “I’m at capacity. Let’s find a better time to discuss.” 3/ Stay calm when others get defensive. Your steadiness helps de-escalate tension. ➟ “Let’s slow down and take one step at a time.” 4/ Admit when you’re wrong and adjust quickly. Owning mistakes builds trust and momentum. ➟ “That’s a good point. Let’s rethink this.” 5/ Pause to reset before emotions take over. A short pause prevents long-term damage. ➟ “I need a moment to clear my head. I’ll be back.” 6/ Express disagreement without creating conflict. Disagreeing respectfully keeps dialogue productive. ➟ “Here’s how I’m thinking about it…” 7/ Give feedback that helps people grow. Clarity with kindness inspires improvement. ➟ “Here’s what worked. One thing to try next…” 8/ Choose connection when it’s easier to shut down. Staying present shows maturity and care. ➟ “Let’s talk when you’re ready. I want to help.” These aren't “soft skills.” They’re the hardest (and most human) skills you’ll ever master. The results speak for themselves: Leaders with high EQ see: • 34% higher team engagement • 20% better productivity • 63% lower turnover But the real ROI? You become the kind of leader people don’t just follow. They fight to work with. Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network. And give me a follow for more posts like this.

Everyone Talks About The Importance of Soft Skills, But Few Explain How to Develop Them. 14 essential soft skills and how to master them, courtesy of my friend Nicola Ballotta: 𝟭/ 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ➤Self-Awareness • Practice mindfulness and meditation • Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings • Seek feedback from friends and colleagues    ➤Resilience • Develop a positive mindset • Build a strong support network • Learn from failures and setbacks ➤Self-Motivation • Set clear, achievable goals • Celebrate small victories • Find inspiration and learning in every task 𝟮/ 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ➤Empathy/Compassion • Practice active listening • View situations from others' perspectives • Volunteer for causes that connect you with diverse groups ➤Negotiation • Practice active listening • Develop empathy to understand other's viewpoints • Study negotiation techniques and strategies ➤Conflict Resolution • Learn and practice active listening skills • Adopt a problem-solving attitude • Seek to understand before being understood ➤Influence • Build credibility and trust • Understand and appeal to others' interests • Practice storytelling and emotional intelligence 𝟯/ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ➤Verbal Communication • Volunteer for presentations at work • Record short videos of yourself speaking and watch them • Ask peers for feedback on your communication    ➤Written Communication • Take writing courses • Start writing publicly • Practice concise writing ➤Non-Verbal Communication • Observe and mimic the body language of effective communicators • Record and review your non-verbal communication in different settings • Take acting or improvisation classes to improve your expressive abilities 𝟰/ 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ➤Time Management • Use planners or digital tools to schedule tasks • Set clear priorities and deadlines • Avoid multitasking and minimize distractions    ➤Problem-Solving • Practice structured problem-solving methods • Develop your analytical and critical thinking skills • Collaborate with others to gain different perspectives ➤Adaptability • Embrace a growth mindset • Stay curious and seek out new experiences • Practice resilience and stress management    ➤Problem-Solving • Practice structured problem-solving methods • Develop your analytical and critical thinking skills • Collaborate with others to gain different perspectives PS: Soft skills are just that: skills. We all start somewhere, and with intentional practice, we get better.

One of my mentees asked me which soft skills I think entrepreneurs should pay more attention to and the practical activities I have recommended over the years (and undertook myself) to enhance them. Not an exhaustive list. No silver bullet. Life as an entrepreneur is a never-ending learning journey to improve oneself a little bit more every day. Curious if you have other suggestions. 1) Emotional Intelligence - Feedback Gathering: Reflect on emotional reactions & adjust behavior - Journaling: Document your feelings after key decisions or events - Mindfulness Meditation: Helps in recognizing & managing emotions - Engage in Role-Playing: Play out difficult scenarios with a coach or trusted colleague 2) Resilience and Grit - Set Stretch Goals: Goals that push you beyond your current capabilities - Failure Analysis: Analyze what went wrong & strategize for the future - Positive Affirmations: Remind yourself of your strengths & abilities, especially during challenging times - Regularly Read Biographies: Learn how successful entrepreneurs overcame their challenges - Join an Entrepreneur Support Group: Share challenges and solutions 3) Adaptability - Scenario Planning: Consider various future scenarios for your business - Rotate Roles: Temporarily swap job roles within your team - Continuous Learning: About new industries or technologies - Travel: Expose yourself to new cultures and environments - Attend Cross-Industry Conferences: Broaden horizons beyond your field 4) Communication Skills - Public Speaking Workshops: Enhance your ability to articulate ideas and inspire/engage teams - Write Regularly: Hone your ability to communicate complex concepts succinctly and clearly - Seek Feedback on Communication: Particularly after presentations or meetings 5) Negotiation Skills - Negotiation Workshops: improve negotiation strategies & understand different negotiation styles - Role-Play Negotiation Scenarios: With a colleague or coach - Analyze Past Negotiations: Reflect on what went well & what could be improved - Read Books on Negotiation: Regularly update yourself with new techniques - Seek Mentorship 6) Networking - Attend Industry Events - Set Regular Networking Goals: Such as meeting X new people a month - Follow-Up Practice: Send thank-you notes or emails after meetings - Join Entrepreneurial Organizations - Host Events: Establish yourself as a connector in your industry 7) Conflict Resolution - Conflict Resolution Training: Acquire techniques to mediate & resolve disputes effectively - Mediation Practice: Act as a neutral party in team disputes to find common ground & solutions - Seek Feedback on Conflict Handling: After resolving disputes 8) Active Listening - Practice Reflective Listening: Engage in conversations where you actively reflect or summarize what the other party is saying - Avoid Multitasking: During meetings or conversations. - Seek Feedback on Listening Skills: Particularly from direct reports Image by macrovector on Freepik

Over 2,200 professionals were asked: Why do most leaders fail? Here’s how the answers broke down: 40% said low emotional intelligence (EQ) 36% said poor people skills 16% said lack of strategy 7% said lack of resilience That means more than 3 out of 4 people believe leadership failures are rooted in emotional and relational blind spots not a lack of intelligence or tactical ability. Let that sink in. There are tons of high performers, technical experts, and brilliant minds out there...but when leadership breaks down… it’s almost never about the work. It’s about the weight. The emotional weight. The relational weight. The pressure of responsibility without the internal tools to carry it well. Here’s what that tells me: If you're not developing your emotional and relational toolkit, you're building a leadership house on sand. So let’s break this down: 1. Emotional Intelligence is not a soft skill. It’s a survival skill. If you can’t regulate yourself, you can’t lead others. Your reactions will create fear instead of safety. Your stress will spread to your team like wildfire. And your leadership will become unpredictable no matter how skilled you are. 2. People skills are the foundation, not the bonus. Communication, empathy, presence… these aren’t the “nice to have” traits. They’re the thing that earns you trust and buy-in. The thing that allows you to influence without forcing. The thing that turns authority into leadership. 3. Strategy without self-awareness is a liability. How many smart leaders do you know who lost teams not because of bad plans… but because they didn’t know how to connect? How to listen? How to slow down and lead with presence? The more pressure you face, the more critical it becomes to: Slow down your reactions Name what you're feeling Lead with clarity, not emotion And make space for real connection This isn’t about perfection. It’s about self-awareness and consistency. Want to apply this today? Here are 3 simple things I recommend: 1. Practice one EQ check-in per day. Pause at noon. Ask yourself: “What’s driving how I’m showing up right now?” Then adjust if needed. That awareness compounds. 2. Schedule one conversation this week with a direct report or peer. Ask: “What’s one thing I could do that would make your job easier or more fulfilling?” Then listen without defending. 3. Reflect weekly. At the end of your week, write down 1 moment where you reacted instead of responding. What did it cost you? What can you learn? The best leaders I’ve worked with? They’re not the loudest. Not the smartest. They’re the ones who do this internal work consistently. Because leadership isn’t just about performance… It’s about presence under pressure. So here’s my question to you: What’s one relational or emotional skill you’re actively working to improve? Drop it below. Let’s get better...together. (Pic cred: Apostolos (Apo) Belokas)

🟢 #motivational 🌟Dr. J’s Thoughts: Embracing Emotional Intelligence and Faith for Career and Wellness Success🌟 In today's competitive job market, entry-level job seekers can significantly enhance their appeal to employers by mastering and showcasing emotional intelligence (EI), which is increasingly recognized as a crucial asset across all professions. Emotional intelligence involves five core components that are essential for workplace success: 1. Self-awareness: Understanding your emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and the impact of your actions on others. This awareness ensures you respond thoughtfully in challenging situations. 2. Self-regulation: Managing your emotions constructively, maintaining control and adaptability, and demonstrating reliability. 3. Motivation: Pursuing your goals with passion and persistence, and maintaining a positive outlook despite challenges. 4. Empathy: Considering others' feelings in decision-making, which enhances teamwork, management, and customer relations. 5. Social skills: Building rapport and managing relationships effectively, crucial for leadership and team cohesion. To effectively leverage these pillars in your job search: - Customize your application: Highlight instances where your EI made a crucial difference, such as resolving team conflicts or leading projects. - Prepare concrete examples: Be ready to discuss specific situations in interviews where your emotional intelligence positively impacted outcomes. - Develop your online presence: Use platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your EI by sharing articles, experiences, or insights. - Continue learning: EI evolves with experience. Engage in ongoing education and seek feedback to refine your skills. - Network effectively: Utilize your EI to make genuine connections, which can open doors to new opportunities and advice. By integrating these elements of emotional intelligence into your job search and early career development, you not only make yourself a more attractive candidate but also lay a solid foundation for long-term professional success and satisfaction. These skills ensure resilience, adaptability, and a genuine connection with your work and those around you. Quotes to Inspire and Guide: - Dr. Steven L. Jordan (Dr. J): "Leading with Emotional Intelligence and Faith: A Catalyst for Change and Influence." - Daniel Goleman, author of "Emotional Intelligence": "EI isn’t a luxury you can dispense with in tough times. It’s a basic tool that, deployed with finesse, is the key to professional success." - Brené Brown, research professor and author: "Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change." Wisdom Seeds: Embrace emotional intelligence as a transformative power that not only shapes your professional path but also enhances personal wellness and faith. Integrating faith with EI can provide a profound sense of purpose and resilience, fostering wellness and success.