Soft Skills

Introduction Apart from basic soft skills like communication and self

confidence people should also possess some important attributes as well and they are:

1. Body Language2. Analytical Skills3. Critical Thinking4. Individual Interaction5. Job Performance6. Career Prospects

Body Language Body language is a form of mental and physical

ability of human non-verbal communication, consisting of body posture, gestures, facial expressions and eye movements.

Humans send and interpret such signals almost entirely subconsciously.

Body language may provide clues as to the attitude or state of mind of a person. For example, it may indicate aggression, attentiveness, boredom, relaxed state, pleasure, amusement, and intoxication.

Body language is significant to communication and relationships. It is relevant to management and leadership in business and also in places where it can be observed by many people.

How to understand Body Language: 7 Steps

Step 1: Understand the meanings of looking When you look strangers in the eye, you are saying, "I want

to know more about you.“ When you look people in the mouth, you are saying, "I am

not comfortable looking into your eyes" . When your eyes are locked onto a specific part of a person's

face you are saying, "I am nervous.“ When you look away from a person routinely or lean away

from them, you are saying, "I don't like you.“ When you raise one eyebrow, you are saying, "oh really?” When you roll your eyes upwards, you are saying, "I am

imagining“ When you close your eyes halfway, you are saying, "I am

suspicious.“ When you look down, you are saying, "I'm thinking.“ When you widen your eyes, you are saying, "I am amazed."

Step 2: Express yourself through facial features

When you wink you are saying, "It's our little secret.“ When you smile subtly, you are saying, "Here is a

gesture of approval.“ When you smile with teeth and close your eyes a bit,

you are saying, "I am very happy.“ When you walk constantly looking at the ground, you

are feeling unconfident. When you frown, you are saying, "I am

bored/unhappy.“ When you drop your jaw, you are saying, "I don't

believe it.“ When you bite your bottom lip, you are saying, "I'm

flirty."

Step 3: Move your head When your head is up, you are saying, "I don't mind

people looking at me.“ When your head is down, you are saying, "I don't

want people to look at me.“ When you turn your head to look at someone, you are

saying, "I enjoy looking at you.“

Step 4: Understand meanings of the placement of legsWhen you hold your legs close together, you are

saying, "I am modest.“When you hold your legs far apart, you are saying, "I

am not modest.“

Step5: Placing your shoulders When your shoulders are open and wide, you are

saying, "I would like to meet new people.“ When your shoulders are closed and hunched, you are

saying, "Leave me alone, please.“

Step 6: Understand the meanings of physical contact When you touch someone on the arm, you are saying,

"I want us to be close.“ When you touch someone on the waist/neck/face, you

are saying, "I am physically attracted to you.“

Step 7: Understand the general condition When you are tense, you are saying, "I am not

comfortable.“ When you are relaxed, you are saying, "I am

comfortable.“ When you fidget, you are saying, "I want to find

something better to do.“

Analytical Skills What exactly are Analytical Skills? The ability to apply logical thinking to the gathering

and analyzing of information. The ability to visualize, articulate, and solve problems

and concepts. The ability to make decisions that make sense based

on available information.

Why analyze information The political we make can change the course of

legislation locally, regionally and globally. The economic decisions we make impact how we live

and the future of companies and markets. The personal decisions we make can affect the

relationships you have with family, friends and co-workers.

The business decisions we make can enhance the quality of our work and even open doors to new opportunities.

5 Tips to better Analytical SkillsAsk the right questions.Realize what you don’t know.Make no assumptions.Don’t take what you see at face value.Turn information into knowledge.

#1- Ask the right questions What do we know already? What do we need to know? What are the expected results? How will we act on this once we have the data? How much time am I allotted on this research? When is the information needed?

Note: The most critical question is “HOW” will the information will be used by the requestor?

#2- Realize what you don’t knowDon’t be embarrassed to ask simple

questions.Start from the bottom to ensure you cover

all the bases.Allow your research to guide you into

different directions.

#3- Make no assumptionsDoes the requestor really know what they

want?Are you sure that the information will be

easily found? Is it possible that someone may have

gathered similar information?Do you have enough time to complete the

task? If in doubt about the results or the format of

the report.. Ask.

#4- Don’t take things at Face ValueErrors occur by both man and machine.Cross-reference statistics and research when

possible.Look deeper to determine the real value in

the information.Validate sources to ensure their credibility,

especially those online.

#5- Turn information into knowledgeAfter collecting information, review and

assemble it.Create categories that help organize it.Look for patterns of recurring data.Add your perspective to what you have

uncovered.Summarize analysis to crystallize the findings.Bring value to the information by keeping your

requestor in mind.

Critical Thinking Critical thinking has been defined as “the mental

process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion.

Critical thinking is a way of deciding whether a claim is always true, sometimes true, partly true, or false.

Critical thinking employs not only logic (either formal or, much more often, informal) but also broad intellectual criteria such as clarity, credibility, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, significance and fairness.

Skills required for Critical Thinking The list of core critical thinking skills includes observation,

interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation, explanation, and meta-cognition. There is a reasonable level of consensus that an individual or group engaged in strong critical thinking gives due consideration to establish:

1. Evidence through observation.2. Context Skills3. Relevant criteria for making judgment well4. Applicable methods or techniques for forming the judgment5. Applicable theoretical constructs for understanding the

problem and the question at hand. In addition to possessing strong critical-thinking skills, one

must be disposed to engage problems and decisions using those skills.

Procedure followed for Critical Thinking Critical thinking calls for the ability to:1. Recognize problems, to find workable means for

meeting those problems2. Understand the importance of prioritization and order of

precedence in problem solving.3. Gather and marshal pertinent (relevant) information.4. Recognize unstated assumptions and values.5. Comprehend and use language with accuracy, clarity,

and discernment.6. Interpret data, to appraise evidence and evaluate

arguments.7. Draw warranted conclusions and generalizations.8. Reconstruct one's patterns of beliefs on the basis of

wider experience.

In ShortAll these attributes will only improve

your chances to be a great leader and will lead to a great career.

THANK YOU