HOW TO DEVELOP SOFT SKILLS AT AN EARLY AGE

The world is becoming increasingly relational. The way you conduct yourself with your peers and superiors is taking precedence. Be it emotional intelligence, personal manners and habits, communication and negotiation skills, the ability to work in team, or leadership skills, people matter! 1. There is more beyond task skills and abilities for success – High IQ and occupational competency are no longer enough to guarantee success. People skills are equally important, if not more, to ensure survival in the outside world. 2. Accept the need for soft skills –Good task performance is just not enough to guarantee success anymore. Day to day work increasingly involves interacting with others, be it contemporaries or seniors. Accept the importance of soft skills and make them a priority. 3. Enroll in programs that enhance soft skills – Soft skills aren’t abilities that you’re born with. Rather, they’re skills that can be developed like any other and perfected with practice. Enroll in programs that enhance your people skills. 4. Read about soft skills – When talking of soft skills, there is a whole gamut of competencies that are involved. Read self-help books that help you hone your emotional quotient and interpersonal skills. 5. Involve yourself is extracurricular activities – soft skills can’t be developed sitting in the classroom. Be it debating, theatre or sports, get involved in extra-curricular activities. 6. Be a part of group activities – Soft skills can only be mastered through continued practice. The more you involve yourself in group activities, the more opportunities you have to practice and perfect your people skills 7. Parents, teachers, and school should also promote soft skills training – Schools and parents need to understand the importance of soft skills training and incorporate it in their teaching. Provide opportunities and encourage students to master soft skills. 8. Work towards building an overall personality – Don’t restrict yourself to occupational tasks. Whether its communication skills, teamwork, out of the box thinking or leadership skills, strive for more holistic development.