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If we had been told a few years ago that there would be a seismic shift in virtually every industry which would lead us all to question the true value of everything (both in our personal and professional lives) we probably would’ve assumed it was allegorical…It turns out it wasn’t.
The Covid-19 pandemic has altered our perception of what is important and in post-pandemic business there are already changes afoot regarding how we value traits such as, resilience, empathy, kindness and other soft skills.
They are now no longer simply ‘soft’ skills – they are the elements required for successful leaders, autonomous employees and productive, effective, remote teams.
Looking forward, these skills will be vital for improving group dynamics, supporting flexible working practices and nurturing our own, and others’ mental health.
Listed below you will find the soft skills that will be most in demand in a post-pandemic business:
1. Resilience
Resilience has never been more vital in the workplace (and in our personal lives) than it is now.
Resilience refers to our ability to overcome failure, setback or hardship – it gives us the strength to process challenges and find new ways to deal with problems.
Being resilient, means that in times of crisis, you won’t fall apart; there is an inner well of strength available when you need it most.
Some people are naturally highly-resilient – they tend to be realistically optimistic, successful in their job, good at multitasking and dependable.
They are the individuals you want by your side in challenging times, and what every business will need to help them overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic.
However, we all have the ability to nurture positive characteristics that will help us become more resilient, such as:
• Positivity
• Flexibility
• Independence
• Self-confidence
Learning to reframe hardship or difficult conditions and focus on a realistic strategy with a positive outlook can take time, but with training and patience, it is possible to learn to bounce back and become a more resilient individual.
2. Mindfulness
Mindfulness in the workplace relates to our ability to be ‘present’; to focus on the task at hand, be aware of opportunities, be more productive and less reactive or judgemental – it is about being conscious of ourselves (our thoughts, feelings and emotions) so we can avoid distractions and concentrate on what we are currently doing.
Research has shown that leaders’ mindfulness has a direct impact on “employee well-being and performance” and that it “is positively associated with different facets of employee well-being, such as job satisfaction and need satisfaction, and different dimensions of employee performance, such as in-role performance and organizational citizenship behaviours.”
Many leaders now use mindfulness techniques to help maximise their potential, effectiveness and, of course, their well-being.
Those who follow mindfulness methods tend to be more:
• self-aware
• confident
• resilient (see above)
• satisfied
• adaptable
• focused
• autonomous
In a post-pandemic workplace, mindfulness helps to combat stress, ensuring employees maintain optimum mental health, reducing sick-days, improving morale and job satisfaction.
Research has shown that it is a “viable low-cost intervention to mitigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 crisis”.
3. Good Team(s) Player
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we are stronger together.
But collaboration has proved problematic during the pandemic with employees often working remotely and only engaging virtually via Teams or Zoom.
Collaboration is vital to post-pandemic firms as it ensures teams are effectively working together to promote long-term success, and it takes a diverse team to cover every base.
Working collaboratively with team members from different cultures and backgrounds, or those with perspectives at odds with our own, is difficult at times, yet benefits such as, inspiration, creativity, positivity, motivation and higher productivity are the prodigious rewards.
Being a good team player means nurturing the following:
• Good communication
• Respect
• Cultural intelligence
• Cooperation
• Commitment
• Responsibility
The interpersonal skills outlined above form strong roots to support growth and nurture durability, no matter what challenges the future may hold.
At Creative Word, we offer a range of courses designed to support businesses looking to improve leadership quality and promote excellence.
Contact us now to see how we can help you achieve these aims, or click here, to view our current courses.
