Key Soft Skills for Professional Development

I’ve worked with countless leaders, candidates, and high-performing teams across the CPG space, and one thing stands out above all else: the best people aren’t just skilled, they’re easy to work with. You can have the most impressive résumé, the sharpest skills, and a portfolio of achievements, but if people dread collaborating with you, success will only go so far. Being easy to work with means: > You communicate clearly. No one should have to decode your emails or guess at your intentions. > You bring solutions, not just problems. Teams thrive on collaboration, not complaints. > You adapt to different work styles. Flexibility builds trust and rapport. > You’re approachable. Being open to feedback and ideas fosters a culture of growth. What’s often overlooked is that this “soft skill” has a massive impact on career growth. Why? Because opportunities follow trust. Managers advocate for team players. Colleagues recommend those who make their lives easier. Clients stick with people who listen and deliver. Leaders, When evaluating candidates, don’t just focus on their qualifications—ask yourself, “Would I enjoy working with this person every day?” For professionals, Whether you’re climbing the ladder or pivoting to a new role, remember: technical skills open doors, but collaboration keeps them open. What’s your take? How do you measure “easy to work with” when hiring or building teams? #Leadership #Headhunting #Hiring #CareerSkills #Teamwork

After reviewing thousands of executive resumes throughout my career, I've noticed a clear pattern: candidates often over-emphasize technical qualifications while undervaluing what truly sets them apart - their soft skills. Data from 'Finances Online' confirms what I've observed firsthand: an overwhelming 91% of recruiters prioritize soft skills on resumes, with 16% considering them MORE important than hard skills. As an executive search specialist, I can tell you that at senior levels, technical competence is assumed. What differentiates exceptional leaders is their mastery of these five critical soft skills ⬇️ 1. Time management: Don't just claim you're organized. Highlight specific instances where your planning abilities delivered measurable results under pressure. 2. Communication: Demonstrate how your communication style has influenced stakeholders, resolved conflicts, or driven organizational change. 3. Adaptability: In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, showcase how you've successfully navigated uncertainty and embraced new challenges. 4. Problem-solving: Illustrate your analytical approach with concrete examples of complex problems you've solved and their business impact. 5. Teamwork: Highlight collaborative achievements that demonstrate your ability to build consensus and leverage diverse perspectives. The key distinction between average and exceptional candidates? The latter don't merely list these attributes—they provide compelling evidence through specific accomplishments. Are you ready to transform your resume from a list of duties into a powerful narrative of leadership and impact? Check out my newsletter for more insights here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #leadershipdevelopment

The hardest part of leading a startup? It's not the strategy. It's the soft skills: In my 25+ years of coaching startup CEOs and tech leaders, I've discovered: Technical brilliance gets you started. Soft skills help you in scaling and growth. 7 Critical Skills that Transform Startup Leaders: ✅ Presence Under Pressure → Stay centered in chaos → Maintain clarity during uncertainty → Lead with calm confidence ✅ Adaptive Communication → Speak to different stakeholders → Translate vision into action → Adjust style as team grows ✅ Strategic Empathy → Understand team burnout → Navigate investor expectations → Balance growth with wellbeing ✅ Decision Clarity → Make quick yet thoughtful calls → Communicate choices clearly → Own and learn from mistakes ✅ Change Navigation → Guide through rapid growth → Help teams embrace evolution → Maintain culture during scale ✅ Energy Management → Sustain long-term drive → Model healthy boundaries → Balance sprint and marathon ✅ Trust Building → Create psychological safety → Build authentic connections → Maintain transparency at scale Because in startups: Your technical skills matter, But your soft skills multiply. Ready to develop these crucial leadership skills? DM me "IMPACT" — Let's explore how to lead with both brilliance and presence.

Do you know how valuable your soft skills truly are? As someone who has hired for countless projects over the years, I can confidently say this: when it comes to making a real impact, soft skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and a growth mindset consistently stand out—even before education or experience enters the equation. If you can think on your feet, approach challenges with creative solutions, and continuously seek improvement, you’re not just an employee—you’re a leader in the making. These are the traits that drive innovation, build resilient teams, and ultimately create a life of purpose. Here are the soft skills that make all the difference: ✨ Adaptability: Thriving in change and staying flexible when faced with uncertainty. ✨ Problem-Solving: Turning challenges into opportunities with creative, actionable solutions. ✨ Growth Mindset: Believing in your ability to grow, learn, and evolve every day. ✨ Communication: Clearly articulating ideas and fostering collaboration. ✨ Teamwork: Supporting others and contributing to collective success. ✨ Empathy: Understanding others’ perspectives and building meaningful connections. ✨ Accountability: Taking ownership of your actions and following through with integrity. ✨ Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks with determination and focus. If you embody these skills, don’t underestimate your worth as an individual. Businesses, communities and families need people who can lead with creativity, adapt with grace, and grow alongside their goals. And if you don't, not to worry, they can learned. To those with these soft skills: You’re the ones shaping the future. Keep showing up, keep solving problems, and keep growing!

Everyone Talks About The Importance of Soft Skills, But Few Explain How to Develop Them. 14 essential soft skills and how to master them, courtesy of my friend Nicola Ballotta: 𝟭/ 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ➤Self-Awareness • Practice mindfulness and meditation • Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings • Seek feedback from friends and colleagues    ➤Resilience • Develop a positive mindset • Build a strong support network • Learn from failures and setbacks ➤Self-Motivation • Set clear, achievable goals • Celebrate small victories • Find inspiration and learning in every task 𝟮/ 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ➤Empathy/Compassion • Practice active listening • View situations from others' perspectives • Volunteer for causes that connect you with diverse groups ➤Negotiation • Practice active listening • Develop empathy to understand other's viewpoints • Study negotiation techniques and strategies ➤Conflict Resolution • Learn and practice active listening skills • Adopt a problem-solving attitude • Seek to understand before being understood ➤Influence • Build credibility and trust • Understand and appeal to others' interests • Practice storytelling and emotional intelligence 𝟯/ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ➤Verbal Communication • Volunteer for presentations at work • Record short videos of yourself speaking and watch them • Ask peers for feedback on your communication    ➤Written Communication • Take writing courses • Start writing publicly • Practice concise writing ➤Non-Verbal Communication • Observe and mimic the body language of effective communicators • Record and review your non-verbal communication in different settings • Take acting or improvisation classes to improve your expressive abilities 𝟰/ 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 ➤Time Management • Use planners or digital tools to schedule tasks • Set clear priorities and deadlines • Avoid multitasking and minimize distractions    ➤Problem-Solving • Practice structured problem-solving methods • Develop your analytical and critical thinking skills • Collaborate with others to gain different perspectives ➤Adaptability • Embrace a growth mindset • Stay curious and seek out new experiences • Practice resilience and stress management    ➤Problem-Solving • Practice structured problem-solving methods • Develop your analytical and critical thinking skills • Collaborate with others to gain different perspectives PS: Soft skills are just that: skills. We all start somewhere, and with intentional practice, we get better.

Most leaders chase the wrong skills. Here's what I know: Hard skills get you noticed. Soft skills get you promoted. After coaching 300+ executives, here's the pattern: Top performers don't just master technical skills, They multiply results through human ones. 📊 85% of career success = soft skills Yet only 24% of leaders actively develop them. 9 soft skills that drive real results: 1/ Emotional Intelligence ↳ Predicts 90% of top performers ↳ Read the room. Regulate response. 2/ Active Listening ↳ Cuts mistakes by 41% ↳ Hear beyond words. Build trust. 3/ Adaptability ↳ More valued than tech skills ↳ Lead change. Stay fluid. 4/ Critical Thinking ↳ Saves 35% in decisions ↳ Question fast. Decide smart. 5/ Conflict Resolution ↳ Prevents $359K turnover ↳ Address early. Solve well. 6/ Time Management ↳ Boosts output by 38% ↳ Focus on impact. Not activity. 7/ Communication ↳ Cuts rework by 52% ↳ Be clear. Be compelling. 8/ Collaboration ↳ Speeds delivery by 29% ↳ Build bridges. Drive results. 9/ Growth Mindset ↳ Doubles adaptability ↳ Learn fast. Fail forward. Soft skills aren’t soft. They reveal leadership, especially under pressure. 🎯 Which of these 9 would transform your team right now? 📌 Save this framework for your next leadership meeting. ➕ Follow Loren Rosario - Maldonado, PCC for insights that move the needle [Sources: LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report 2025, Harvard Business Review]

Want a high-performing team? ↳Start with developing these 10 soft skills (Supported by neuroscience). Developing soft skills is crucial. I call them "people skills." ↳They fuel the best teams. Here's how to develop them: 𝟭. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆  What it looks like: ✅ Relational connection. ✅ Experiencing with them. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵:  - Fixing their problem.  - Judging their response. 𝟮. 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗘𝗤) What it looks like: ✅ Recognizing & managing your emotions.  ✅ Responding to others effectively. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵:  - Controlling others.  - Being passive. 𝟯. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 What it looks like: ✅ Clear and concise messaging.   ✅ Tailoring to audience.   ✅ Fostering open dialogue. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵:  - Manipulating.  - Overwhelming. 𝟰. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 What it looks like: ✅ Understanding all perspectives. ✅ Facilitating dialogue.  ✅ Seeking shared solutions. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵:  - Taking sides.  - Demanding compliance. 𝟱. 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 What it looks like: ✅ Walking with new hires. ✅ Investing regularly. ✅ Empowering growth. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵:  - Micromanaging.  - Controlling. 𝟲. 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 What it looks like: ✅ Modeling healthy work/life boundaries. ✅ Empowering others in their roles. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵:  - Taking over and fixing errors.  - Encouraging after-hours work. 𝟳. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺-𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴  What it looks like: ✅ Approaching challenges with curiosity.   ✅ Breaking problems into manageable parts.   ✅ Integrating solutions. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵:  - Steamrolling the team.  - Isolating leadership. 𝟴. 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 What it looks like: ✅ Collaborating effectively.   ✅ Encouraging diverse viewpoints.   ✅ Building a culture of trust. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵:  - One person making all decisions. 𝟵. 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 What it looks like: ✅ Embracing change.   ✅ Being open to new ideas.   ✅ Integrating feedback for growth. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵:  - Lacking focus and direction. 𝟭𝟬. 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 What it looks like: ✅ Clarifying the task.  ✅ Communicating expectations.  ✅ Providing support. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵:  - Vague instructions.  - Neglecting follow-up. These skills don’t just predict success—they drive it. Which soft skill do you think is most important for leaders to focus on right now? ----- I’m Julia LeFevre. I help leaders turn divided teams  into dream teams using NeuroChange. Click my name + follow  ♻️ Repost this → spread value 🙌✨

It's time we stop calling these skills soft. In reality, they're essential - And they're increasingly what leaders are hiring and promoting for.   They couldn't be further from soft. Master these 15 essential skills, and you will be unstoppable: 1. Be proactive Take the initiative, starting and giving updates before being asked, and finishing ahead of the deadline 2. Work hard Be the person who works hard without complaint, even if everyone else is searching for shortcuts 3. Be honest Have integrity, telling the truth and doing the right thing no matter the situation 4. Focus on growth Learn to see failure as a learning opportunity, and colleagues as teachers 5. Act reliably Deliver on your promises - consistently 6. Demonstrate professionalism Act in a way that makes people proud to be associated with you 7. Collaborate Work well with others, rather than trying to do everything yourself 8. Be kind Have empathy for your colleagues, and take a genuine interest in their lives 9. Develop emotional intelligence Put in the effort to have control over your emotions, and to develop self-awareness and an awareness of others 10. Show persistence Be resilient in the face of setbacks, pushing forward 11. Be coachable Ask for and act on feedback, and then repeat that cycle relentlessly 12. Adapt Recognize the importance and inevitability of change, and work to adjust quickly when it comes 13. Stay organized Stay on top of your commitments, meeting deadlines and nailing the details 14. Demonstrate accountability Be quick to take ownership and slow to pass the buck or cast blame 15. Develop creativity Give yourself the mental space to be creative, and practice thinking outside the box These skills are what top performers use to shine. Put in the effort to get better at them every day. Any essential skills you'd add to this list? --- ♻ Repost to help your network master these skills. And follow me George Stern for more content like this.

People will not stay where they are unappreciated. Low respect ends in high turnover. Emotional intelligence isn't just a 'soft skill.' It's your competitive advantage. Here are 6 ways to lead with it👇 1) Self-Awareness ↳ Set a 2-minute timer to name 3 emotions you felt today ↳ Ask a peer: “How do I show up under pressure?” 2) Self-Regulation ↳ Pause 6 seconds before reacting when triggered ↳ Say: “I’m noticing I feel...” to respond with intention 3) Motivation ↳ Remind your team why the work matters ↳ Celebrate progress, not just outcomes 4) Empathy ↳ Ask: “How’s this affecting you?” and actually listen ↳ Mirror back emotions: “It sounds like you’re feeling...” 5) Social Skills ↳ Start meetings with: “In one word, how are you?” ↳ End with: “What support would help you next?” 6) EQ in Action ↳ Team tension? Acknowledge both sides, name the issue. ↳ Change pushback? Validate issues, co-create next steps. Too many leaders mistake kindness for weakness. But the best leaders know: Empathy drives results. Which EQ habit are you strengthening this week? ♻️ Repost to help more managers lead with clarity—not control. And follow Justin Bateh, PhD for more.

Curiosity is the job of leadership. To me, leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about staying curious. The way we work has changed, and so has leadership. Leaders who thrive today aren’t those with all the answers, but those who ask the right questions. Curiosity has become a critical leadership skill, enabling leaders to seek feedback, explore new perspectives, and adapt to rapidly changing environments. A recent Harvard Business Review piece suggests that, in today’s world, leaders must develop several essential skills: (1) Emotional Aperture: Understanding the emotional dynamics of your team, reading the room, and ensuring all voices are heard. Leaders who tune into these dynamics build stronger relationships and keep employees engaged. (2) Adaptive Communication: Great leaders adjust their style to fit the situation and audience. It’s about connecting with people, knowing when to motivate, and when to create space for creativity. (3) Flexible Thinking: In times of uncertainty, effective leaders embrace ambiguity and seek new perspectives. Asking the right questions helps open doors to innovative solutions and thoughtful decisions. (4) Perspective Seeking: As leaders rise, power can narrow focus. Great leaders actively seek out different viewpoints, essential for negotiation, conflict resolution, and strategic thinking. (5) Strategic Disruption: Leaders need to challenge the status quo, not just for the sake of change, but to continuously improve—especially in advancing inclusion and equity. (6) Resilient Self-Awareness: Leaders are human too. Recognizing limitations and building a strong support network is key to managing stress and leading by example. To me, curiosity ties all these skills together. Staying curious allows leaders to keep learning, adapting, and growing—both for themselves and their teams. Curiosity opens the door to fresh ideas, deeper connections, and a more dynamic, responsive leadership style. In a world of constant change, curiosity isn’t just a good-to-have—it’s a must-have for leading with empathy, awareness, and insight. #curiosity #skills #leadership #agility #innovation #collaboration #teams https://lnkd.in/eYy7VUhG