There is a Lack of Soft Skills and it's Costing Millions

Companies across the U.S. say it is becoming increasingly difficult to find applicants who can communicate clearly, take initiative, problem-solve and get along with co-workers.

Those traits, often called soft skills, can make the difference between an exceptional contributor and one who just gets by.

While such skills have always appealed to employers, decades-long shifts in the economy have made them especially crucial now.

Companies have automated or outsourced many routine tasks, and the jobs that remain often require workers to take on broader responsibilities that demand critical thinking, empathy or other abilities that computers can’t easily simulate.

Leveraging these 7 Personalization Principles will allow both individual contributors and organizations to thrive.

The 7 personalization principles are:

• Be Authentic. Are you real and genuine in everything you do? Authentic people speak the truth and communicate openly with their colleagues.
• Be Hospitable. Do you make your colleagues and customers feel welcome at every touch point? Start with a positive attitude.
• Be Empathetic. Can you understand and share the feelings of another human being? When you have empathy for your colleagues and customers, you are better able to make decisions that are fair for both parties.
• Be Committed. Are you willing to do whatever it takes, no matter what? Being committed means living your values each and every day, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.
• Be Competent. Do you have the skills and ability to excel in your role? Being competent means you are enabled with the learning and skills to do your job well and solve your customer’s problems.
• Be Friendly. Friendliness is learned at a young age. Being nice and friendly to your colleagues and customers can create decades of loyalty.
• Be Fun. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Having fun at work can de-escalate stressful situations and make interactions with colleagues and customers much more fulfilling.

A recent LinkedIn survey of 291 hiring managers found 58% say the lack of soft skills among job candidates is limiting their company’s productivity.

In a Wall Street Journal survey of nearly 900 executives last year, 92% said soft skills were equally important or more important than technical skills.

To find out more about how to deliver the soft skills that your workforce needs to protect themselves from automation check out my latest book The Seven Personalization Principles: Learn the Principles to Thrive in these Disruptive Times on Amazon or read more about it here.