Soft skills are essential to be a good leader. Many tasks can be performed better by machines, but emotional intelligence is a trait that belongs to men, at least so far.
Last update: May 07, 2021
Soft skills are increasingly relevant in every sector. It is believed that in the future they will have more and more importance because the systematization and automation of processes are aspects in which technology has and will play a central role. For everything else, other skills are needed.
We remind you that technical skills (or hard skills) are all those formal and technical skills necessary to carry out an activity. Soft skills, on the other hand, allow the person to interact with others effectively.
In a world where artificial intelligence is gaining more and more ground, what is known as emotional intelligence acquires increasing importance.
In particular, in the administrative sector, transversal skills are now very much appreciated and in demand. Some are indispensable in a leadership position. We list the most important.
"Skill and patience can succeed where strength has failed."
-Aesop-
The soft skills of leaders
1. Empathy
Empathy is an essential skill for good leadership. If a leader is the one who is able to bring out the best in those under his leadership, empathy is essential to exercise this role.
We refer to the ability to understand another person's feelings. A kind of thermometer to know how to treat and inspire others.
Through it, one can see and understand the weaknesses and strengths of others. This is essential to get the best out of each person.
2. Communication skills, one of the most important transversal skills
Communication skills are indispensable for a good leader. It is not enough to have good ideas or fabulous initiatives, you also need to know how to communicate them. The aim is to be understood and motivated by colleagues.
Finding the right words to communicate a message is of paramount importance. A good idea loses much of its value if you fail to explain and promote it. Similarly, with appropriate language criticism is avoided and any negative aspects can be resolved.
3. Motivation and inspiration
Motivating and inspiring a team is a difficult task. Therefore, more transversal skills must be used. In particular, the ability to communicate emotions, share them and make them understand. In fact, this goes beyond communication and enters the field of expression.
Getting others to find inspiration is even more difficult. The ideal way to achieve this is to lead by example. We need to inspire others through gestures and actions, rather than words.
To achieve this, there must be coherence between thought, word and deed. Coherence is part of the world of ethics, it does not arise by itself, but develops over time.
4. Active listening among transversal skills
It can be said that this is the basis of all transversal competences. It is very difficult to become a good leader if you don't have the ability to listen to others. The point of view of others not only enriches one's work, but is also a source of inspiration for finding new ideas and new solutions.
Active listening, as the phrase says, means being participatory. Don't just listen silently when someone is talking.
You have to go further and pay attention to what he says to know how to interpret his speech. Moreover, of course, it also means giving answers to the problems that others raise.
5. Group work
Teamwork requires a correct development of transversal skills. When engaging in an activity with others, availability and adaptability almost always count more than knowledge and experience.
A working group does not move forward and does not grow if rivalry, suspicion or distrust prevails. A well-organized group helps to improve individual skills and allow for collective growth.
In this case, the function of the leader is decisive because it allows to facilitate synergies between the members of the group.
Conclusions
The world is moving towards forms of production and consumption that are increasingly oriented towards collaboration. This is why soft skills are considered a very important plus, both in a collaborator and in a leader.
You can develop any skill that will be a valuable tool to improve your work.
