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Learning and Developing Soft Skills for Future Success
Many studies and articles over the last couple of years have brought attention to the types of “soft” skills employees need to be successful in today’s ever-changing workplace. NOTE: See a list of links at the end of this article for more information. In fact, many would argue that these “soft” skills are just as important (if not more important) than the “technical/hard” skills required for the job.
Of course, the truth is these “soft” skills are actually quite “hard”. For example, it is often difficult to keep your mouth shut and your ears open during a conflict situation. Yet it is quite possible to learn and develop these “soft” skills. After all, every professional should learn and practice these “soft” skills regardless of what they do, especially since we never quite master them and can always be improving them.
Centriq Training offers professional development courses in 17 “soft” skills topics in 3 general strands: Communication, Leadership, and Time Management. The courses are either 1/2-day sessions or 90-minute recorded webinars. Since April 2018, we have provided 41 public courses; 28 in KC, 10 in St. Louis, and 3 offsite, custom classes to 106 students. In addition to public courses, numerous Lunch and Learns have been given to Career Track students and presentations to corporate clients.
Centriq’s Professional Development (ProDev), courses include:
- Communication with Active Listening
- Conflict Management
- Negotiation
- Networking and First Impressions
- Crucial Conversations
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Coaching and Feedback
- Emotional Intelligence
- Inspiring Motivation
- Time Management
- Goal Setting
- Delegation
- Decision-Making/Problem-Solving
- Stress Management
- Creativity/Innovation
- Change Management: Flexibility & Adaptability
Students use various methods, tools, and techniques to learn the material including assessments, role-playing, presentations and lectures, scenarios, research, group work, brainstorming, reflection, and discussion.
For more information about Centriq’s ProDev program, please visit https://centriq.com/corporate/technologies/business-skills-and-process/professional-development-soft-skills-training/ . NOTE: Feel free to send 1-2 employees (especially newly promoted managers) to our public classes or consider working with us to custom-develop a half-day or full-day workshop for your entire department covering anywhere from 1-5 topics.
For more information about the types of “soft” skills employees need in the future please visit the following websites:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/skills-companies-need-most-2018-courses-get-them-paul-petrone/
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/soft-skills-you-need
https://medium.com/@heatheryounger/soft-skills-aint-so-soft-after-all-12a9c4892e0c
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-time-refocus-soft-skills-debra-stevens/
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/04/the-30-most-in-demand-skills-in-2019-according-to-linkedin-.html
https://business.udemy.com/blog/top-10-soft-skills-for-2019-in-the-workplace/
https://worksmartdirect.com/top-5-soft-skills-employers-want-in-2019/