Of course you, as a leader, have known for years that soft skills can be just as important as technical proficiency for career success. Now employers are recognizing that as well.
In fact, the folks at LinkedIn just put out a list of the top 10 skills that employers are seeking. And while 5 of them were hard skills, such as specific tech strengths, the rest of the list focused on the softer side of management.
The best part: LinkedIn says even if you don’t possess all of these naturally, they can be learned.
Got these down?
Take a look to see how many of these soft skills you have down cold, and which you might choose to develop more in 2019.
Whether you’re looking to change jobs or just reach new heights in your current one, these are the proficiencies you’ll want to make sure you have in this new year.
- Creativity. All that talk about robots taking everyone’s jobs? Not going to happen. That’s because companies want people who can think their businesses to new heights. One clever way to boost your creativity? Doodle. Doodling has been shown to activate unique neurological pathways, which leads to new insights.
- Persuasion. You need to persuade people of things every day: to buy your company’s product, to give your department that tech upgrade you need, even to stop talking so loudly on their cellphone in the cubicle next to you. So you need the skills to do that compellingly and effectively.
- Collaboration. Of all the skills on the list, this may be the one that’s most often associated with female leaders. As companies knock down silos across the organization, people are being expected to work together with other departments and co-workers like never before. Even within your own team, take steps that improve the way you all work together.
- Adaptability. You know the old adage: The only thing constant is change . And every workplace is subject to it. One way to increase your adaptability? Shadow employees in other departments. Seeing what they do firsthand and exposing yourself to the way other groups think we help you react better when change inevitably comes.
- Time management. If collaboration doesn’t take the top spot for women leaders, time management just might. This is a skill as old as time, but as new demands on your schedule emerge, you’ll need to be ready to handle them.