Traditionally ‘Soft’ Skills Round Out Your Workplace Culture

Aside from what they have training or experience in, different individuals bring different natural skillsets and proclivities to their professional position. These skillsets have less to do with that which is strictly necessary to perform a job and more to do with the overall manner in which the job is performed. For countless years, a work landscape dominated by men produced a culture that valued, even glorified, dynamic, action-oriented, traditionally "male" attributes like:

• Assertiveness - willingness to step up, speak up, self-advocate and pursue opportunities
• Decisiveness - unwavering commitment to leadership, meeting goals, moving forward; embracing innovation regardless of risk
• Analytical thinking - utilizing logic and objectivity to figure out, strategize and project
• Results-oriented - demonstrating a drive for productivity and efficiency through decision-making, problem-solving and tactical planning
• Hierarchical conceptualization - focusing on levels of authority and clear lines of command
• Systematic implementation - maintaining organization by creating and implementing systems and processes

These are sound business practices and led by them, businesses thrived for many of those years. The business world has evolved, however, bringing new, more diverse people into the workplace, many of whom possess different natural skillsets and proclivities.

At first many of these ways of being were considered less than businesslike and dismissed as unimportant - or even inconducive - to the successful operation of business. These softer, more empathic, collaborative, emotion-based traditionally "female" attributes include:

• Emotional Intelligence/Empathy - understanding and managing one’ s own emotions, as well as demonstrating an appreciation for and responding to others’ mental state, emotions and circumstances
• Collaboration - recognition of the power of shared wisdom, group action and facilitating teamwork
• Supportiveness - focus on nurturing, inclusion, mentoring and building others up
• Communication - highlighting both clear and concise conveyance of both verbal and nonverbal information and active listening that allows for nuance and context, preventing misunderstanding
• Diplomacy - utilizing negotiation and mediation to bring about constructive conflict resolution
• Agility - demonstrating the capacity to change gears, adapt to circumstances in flux and pivot as necessary

Of course, these attributes can be embodied by either gender; most people have a range of both "hard" and "soft" in their skillset. Rather than being inconducive to business, these traits effectively round out the experience of being an employee by taking into account an expanded view of what it takes to be a successful worker. In today’ s workplace, the adoption of these "softer" attributes among management and coworkers represent dynamic opportunities for a more successful, content and inclusive company culture that regards people in the fullness of their humanity. The two lists of attributes complement one another in impactful ways; embracing a more diverse, all-encompassing view of the powerful, unique perspectives and capabilities of all people will help your workplace to thrive.

How has your company embraced "soft" skills to the betterment of your business?