How to Develop Top Soft Skills Not Learned at School or Work

Job listings often describe the skills needed to perform in a position. However, many of the skills required for success fall under the category of soft skills. Many employees may be hired for their knowledge and yet may end up being fired for their behavior or lack of social skills. Forbes reported that 46% of newly hired employees will fail within 18 months. Mitchell Communications Group found that companies lose $37 billion a year in the United States due to miscommunication. Research from Adecco Staffing considered what the C-suite thinks about the type of skills employees lack. They found that the C-suite believed 44% lacked soft skills including communication, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. This has led to missed growth opportunity, low productivity, and reduced profits. Continue reading “How to Develop Top Soft Skills Not Learned at School or Work” →

Researchers Debate Importance of Introverts Acting like Extroverts

Several courses I teach include discussion regarding the importance of understanding personality preferences. Students often take personality tests to determine their “type”. Part of their type includes whether they are introverts or extraverts (Myers Briggs spells extravert with an “a” instead of an “o”). In my training to become a qualified Myers Briggs MBTI trainer, I learned that people have preferences for how they like to receive and process information. We were told it was similar to how people prefer to write with their right or left hand. That is why I found the recent Wall Street Journal article titled How an Introvert Can Be Happier: Act Like an Extrovert to be so interesting. The title contradicts some of what I learned in my training.

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