Editorial
In our rapidly changing global economy, high-performing individuals and teams must stay abreast of the latest technology. Artificial intelligence has already opened countless business opportunities and inspired leaders and teams to master the revolutionary tools. Yet, the desire to stay up-to-date can obscure an equally urgent need to develop human-centered skills that drive business results and individual success.
Career-focused learning has to include more than mastering new software or exploring time-saving tools. Improving soft skills that enhance personal interactions — such as clear communication, relationship-building and inclusive leadership — also boosts organizational performance. As an added benefit, investing in people-oriented tactics improves employee engagement, an outcome that will pay dividends for years to come.
While they may not elicit the same breathless press of a flashy tech gadget, “soft” skills are the hard skills that consistently lead to team success and organizational excellence.
Connect Through Inclusive Communication
Consider what happens when team members fail to connect: projects stall, resources are wasted and frustration builds. Global teams amplify this challenge, where cultural differences and language barriers can hinder understanding. One survey reports that 86% of employees say the main causes of workplace failures are misunderstandings and lack of effective collaboration. Put another way, poor communication costs U.S. businesses up to $1.2 trillion annually, which breaks down to roughly $15,000 per employee in lost productivity each year.
While technology can certainly help us write faster, effective communication relies on improving the person-to-person interactions that make organizations thrive. Foundational communication skills include using inclusive, respectful language and listening with intentionality. Other best practices include asking how your colleagues prefer to communicate, setting agendas and goals for each meeting, and encouraging everyone on your team to ask clarifying questions. With practice, these inclusive communication strategies can lead to clearer, more effective communication that boosts productivity, reduces errors and maximizes success.
Related Article: Here's a Novel Idea for Leaders: Don't Monitor, Participate
Build Strong, Resilient Relationships
Communication and collaboration also improve when colleagues have strong personal relationships. Humans are hard-wired to connect with each other and form mutually supportive partnerships, so it’s not surprising that workplaces function more effectively and employees are happier when social connections are encouraged. The responsibility for leaders is to foster positive workplace relationships that keep employees engaged and motivated at work.
The first step for managers is to recognize the importance of small talk and personal conversations. Set aside a few minutes before every meeting to share personal news — enough time to help everyone settle in but not enough to derail the meeting. Encourage your company to establish a formal mentoring program, where employees of various departments can learn from seasoned professionals throughout the organization. If you work in a hybrid environment, schedule informal virtual team-building events or in-person get-togethers. Far from being a time waster, casual interactions generate feelings of belonging and psychological safety, and contribute to team cohesion.
Related Article: Career Growth and Psychological Safety: A Winning Combination
Cultivate Inclusive, People-First Leadership
Inclusive leaders can’t be successful without a foundation of strong relationships built on mutual trust and respect. In an inclusive workplace, diverse perspectives are encouraged and leaders purposefully seek a variety of viewpoints. In this welcoming space, creativity and innovation can thrive. To achieve their goals and ensure every employee can contribute their best work, inclusive leaders cultivate a variety of soft skills, including communication, collaboration and continuous learning.
Meaningful feedback, a hallmark of inclusive workplaces, combines these three important skills. It is also one of the most powerful tools a leader has to help employees grow and keep them engaged. Leaders have a responsibility to coach their team to see frequent feedback as learning opportunities. Be generous and public with praise, so team members know to focus their time and energy on what is working well. When course corrections are necessary, share any negative comments privately and directly, focusing on the behavior not the person. By encouraging ongoing collaboration – top-down, bottom-up, and peer-to-peer – managers can foster a culture of continuous improvement, where every employee can contribute their best work.
Related Article: Feedback Matters. Here's How to Do It Right
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Make Professional Learning Fun, Interesting and Useful
It’s possible to hone soft skills in the flow of work. Yet it’s also valuable to set aside dedicated time for professional development. Managers can suggest publications, share reports and studies during team meetings and weekly one-on-ones, and allocate funds for workshops and certifications. Organizations can also encourage a growth mindset and a culture of curiosity by allocating a set percentage of everyone’s workweek for career learning.
One of the highlights of my own professional learning journey is the time I spend interviewing thought-leaders, trailblazers and glass-ceiling breakers for my podcast, “Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox.” Every conversation reveals a powerful nugget of knowledge that helps me become a better leader, team member or person — from tips on better listening to strategies on dealing with stress and burnout. While launching a podcast isn’t a scalable learning solution, anyone can gain insights from inspiring leaders by reading their books, following them on LinkedIn, and listening to informative and inspiring podcasts.
The key to effective and lasting professional development is to keep learning fun and interesting; vary the source, the topic, and the format of your study. No single method is right for every person or every situation. One day you might be watching a quick video, the next you might be reading an article or meeting with a trusted mentor.
Ongoing learning and constant upskilling isn’t optional in today’s ever-changing economy. The only way to thrive for the long haul is to meet each new challenge with curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. Leaders who insist on continuous growth for themselves and their team set the stage for greater innovation, proficiency and higher productivity. And honing the hard skills that improve workplace culture and interpersonal relationships will ensure lasting success for individuals, teams and organizations.
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