Soft skills: Key to wellbeing

Relationship skills like communication and teamwork can make the going easier at work

We constantly lament that life has become very hectic; people don’t have time for basic things like manners, for enquiring upon each other’s health, for lending a helping hand in times of need. We may be at times more concerned about wealth than our well-being. It’s time we admitted that there’s more to life than money. “Well-being” implies improved health and happier people and can’t be measured by money. It’s about the beauty of our surroundings, the quality of our culture and, above all, the strength of our relationships.

Some kinds of relationship skills – like communication skills and teamwork – act to support social relationships, and investment in these skills is reflected in the form of our growth. If we elaborate more on soft skills, these are the ones that define our approach towards work, life, problems, etc. They refer to the cluster of personality traits, social graces, and facility with language, personal habits, friendliness and optimism that mark people to varying degrees. Soft skills complement hand skills, which are the technical requirements of a job. The most valued soft skills include communications (both verbal and written), interpersonal skills, teamwork, problem solving, time-management, analytical and adaptability. Basic training in soft skills generally covers communication, self-awareness, empathy, social etiquettes, and creativity, leadership and presentation skills.

As soft skills are people skills, the best part about mastering them is that their application is not limited to our profession. Their scope extends to all aspects of life. This attitude difference helps us maintain focus and results in higher levels of quality work. Organizational changes seem to be increasing our requirement for “soft” skills such as communication, teamwork, time management and flexibility.

Though most of us agree that these skills are important, very few of us give these skills high priority. The effort towards acquiring soft skills should begin with our recognition of the lack of it. At times, we might assume that we don’t need to improve. Therefore, an honest introspection is a must.

Barely after two weeks of attendance in Communication Training, one of the fellow employees paid me the biggest compliment by saying that in his recent official tour, he was able to converse confidently in English with officials unlike his previous hesitant efforts. His beaming face was proof of his raised level of confidence. If a few days of training can make such a difference, imagine what can be achieved through regular sessions.

Hearing such works of newfound confidence have since become a regular experience. As most of the departments have now become involved in the training process, it’s common practice for people to voice their joy in being able to communicate better. I bask in the warmth of the glow of satisfaction on their faces. The fast that more and more people are opting voluntarily for the training proves that we have successfully communicated the importance of soft skills.

Finally, we can say that competition being very stiff, only those, who are hardworking, honest and competent individuals with soft skills to match, are the ones who succeed. They are the ones, who not only find a place, but also retain their jobs and grow. This job stability and economic security gives us a feeling of contentment and well-being.

(Via: KS Oil)