Greetings! My name is Beverly Lynn and I am student at University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA. I am studying to obtain a Master’s Degree in Business Education. This blog is for on-going dialogue about a subject that was pervasive in every role I worked in my 22 years with the Hewlett-Packard Co (HP). Soft skills are a key element for success in any business dealings, whether they are for work or personal activity. Often times these skills are not emphasized on a resume, job description, or during an interview, nor do many people pay much attention to them.
Hard skills such as knowing how to write code, build widgets, or operate a specific machine are the primary focus when hiring people. Even in our personal dealings, if we are looking for a doctor, we check things such as where they went to school, what degrees, training, and board memberships. Too often soft skills are overlooked in training or only offered in limited capacity.
Some may be wondering what are soft skills? Soft skills refers to a group of personal qualities, habits, attitudes, and communications capabilities that enable people to work well together and get things done.
For me, I paid little attention to this subject until I reached a point in my job where I wanted to go up the ladder for higher positions and pay. I was very competent in the technical side of my work and wanted to pursue management positions. However, I was labeled blunt and brusque, unapproachable, and having negative attitudes. Not very good skills if you want to go into people management. I was fortunate to have a mentor who worked with me on my soft skills which greatly improved my value to the company enabling me to move on to a management role and other challenging job opportunities.
Some of the skills are habits that can be changed and just like other habits it is difficult to change. However I did a lot of ‘mental work’ and practice with others to improve myself. This subject is important to me as I see examples in many areas of life. I work with a Boy Scout troop and when I see the boys not working well together, I talk to them about the soft skills, what they can improve and the benefits of behaving a certain way. It is good to see them incorporate these skills and I know they will be successful at work and school as a result.
I believe that soft skills can be taught from kindergarten on up. Simple things such as communicating clearly when the child is requesting to go to the bathroom or being on time are easy ways to start. Also In each grade or age group the skills can be further developed and emphasized. Soft skills often receive a bum rap at companies and typically are the first to be cut where budgets are concerned.
My goal with this blog is to dialogue, share stories, and help others to improve their soft skills at any age level. Learning about soft skills will help anyone improve their ability to be successful in employment, business adventures, and any organization where they may be active.
Do you have a story about when you saw either good or bad examples of soft skills?
Beverly Lynn
ABED 6107: Instructional Strategies For Technology Instructor: Dr. Sunil Hazari
Hard skills such as knowing how to write code, build widgets, or operate a specific machine are the primary focus when hiring people. Even in our personal dealings, if we are looking for a doctor, we check things such as where they went to school, what degrees, training, and board memberships. Too often soft skills are overlooked in training or only offered in limited capacity.
Some may be wondering what are soft skills? Soft skills refers to a group of personal qualities, habits, attitudes, and communications capabilities that enable people to work well together and get things done.
For me, I paid little attention to this subject until I reached a point in my job where I wanted to go up the ladder for higher positions and pay. I was very competent in the technical side of my work and wanted to pursue management positions. However, I was labeled blunt and brusque, unapproachable, and having negative attitudes. Not very good skills if you want to go into people management. I was fortunate to have a mentor who worked with me on my soft skills which greatly improved my value to the company enabling me to move on to a management role and other challenging job opportunities.
Some of the skills are habits that can be changed and just like other habits it is difficult to change. However I did a lot of ‘mental work’ and practice with others to improve myself. This subject is important to me as I see examples in many areas of life. I work with a Boy Scout troop and when I see the boys not working well together, I talk to them about the soft skills, what they can improve and the benefits of behaving a certain way. It is good to see them incorporate these skills and I know they will be successful at work and school as a result.
I believe that soft skills can be taught from kindergarten on up. Simple things such as communicating clearly when the child is requesting to go to the bathroom or being on time are easy ways to start. Also In each grade or age group the skills can be further developed and emphasized. Soft skills often receive a bum rap at companies and typically are the first to be cut where budgets are concerned.
My goal with this blog is to dialogue, share stories, and help others to improve their soft skills at any age level. Learning about soft skills will help anyone improve their ability to be successful in employment, business adventures, and any organization where they may be active.
Do you have a story about when you saw either good or bad examples of soft skills?
Beverly Lynn
ABED 6107: Instructional Strategies For Technology Instructor: Dr. Sunil Hazari
