Smart resumes are useful only in getting a job.
To sustain it, one requires not just expertise in one’s field but, more importantly, inter-personal skills. Here are the top people skills that will help you put your career on a fast track.
1. EXPRESS BOLDLY
Be assertive. The team needs your inputs and ideas, so learn to express yourself verbally and in writing. Be direct and clear, using simple language and minimum words. Assertiveness is not aggression, so stick to positive language, learn to accept a ‘No’ and don’t alienate people by bragging. Observe how people react to your words and choose them accordingly.
2. LISTEN SINCERELY
If speaking up is important, learning to listen is critical. Getting the communication right the first time saves you trouble later. Be 100% present in every conversation and listen sincerely, and with humility and empathy. Do not fidget, worry about your problems or sit in judgement. With time, you will understand different communication styles and avoid misunderstandings.
3. RESOLVE CONFLICTS
Conflict resolution is the biggest skill that managers and leaders need. Start by building trust. Being fair will help people listen to you during disagreements. To resolve issues, seek common ground between both parties and present both sides equally. Find consensus and hold people accountable for their actions. Focus on the solution, not on the problem or people concerned.
4. SHOW INTEREST
The workplace is for teams, not individuals. Success comes only thro ugh team work. The closer the bonds you build with people, the easier your work will be. Break the ice with a smile and increase quality time spent with people, both in and outside office. Genuine interest for team members will bring them closer to you.
5. SAY THANK-YOU
Even if it appears difficult or corny, learn to say thank-you and express gratitude. Be sincere and specific in your words. Acknowledge your subordinate who stayed back late to complete the presentation for your meeting. Your acknowledgement helps people feel energised and creates an enabling environment for the team.
6. BODY LANGUAGE
Each organisation and team has its code of conduct besides the expected workplace behaviour. Pay close attention and follow both general and local etiquette. Master non-verbal communication: have clear eye contact and a confident posture. Only if your body language and behaviour are in line with expectations, will your words have an impact.
7. ASK QUESTIONS
Learn how to question people and respond in the right way. Questions are vital to learn how things work, foster close relationships in a team, manage people and projects and avoid needless conflict. The right way causes people to calm down and reach an agreement. Avoid a manner that assumes wrong intention or wrongdoing on the other person’s part.
8. USE THE MIRROR
Japanese legends respect the power of mirror or self-knowledge. Introspect to know what makes you thrive and what makes you lose focus and motivation. Figure out the same for people around you. You will soon realise that there are many right approaches to getting the work done. Your sensitivity to what people say will also reduce, making you resilient and persistent in challenging times.
9. DON’T LOSE YOUR COOL
US President Barack Obama is known to never lose his cool even in the most stressful situations. Doing so will give you power over the 0situation and people involved. The first step towards learning to control your anger is to shut up and walk out or walk away till you have calmed down. You can come back later with a planned response to achie ve your aims with minimum disturbance to you or your team.
10. ASK WHAT YOU WANT
The quickest secret to success is to ask yourself: ‘What do I want?’ Figure out what you want from the situation or the person you are dealing with. This will help formulate a plan and take the best action possible. Knowing what you want from people will empower you to redirect a challenging relationship or even terminate it with minimum pain, if the need arises.
FIVE CRITICAL WORK SKILLS
BEAT THE BELL
Be on time, every time. It includes being seated at your desk when the office begins and being punctual for a meeting called by your team leader. To remember non-routine commitments, set up a reminder 15 minutes prior to the meeting through your online Google calendar.
BATTING AVERAGE
Your work reputation depends on tasks and projects you complete successfully. Constantly find ways to solve problems that crop up invariably. Your batting average improves with every task you complete on your own and drops when you go back to ask for solutions.
MOVE EVERY MONKEY
All communication that you receive, be it a request for information or a new task for you, goes on your to-do list. Keep the list moving by replying to every e-mail and confirming tasks on completion. Don’t let any monkey sit on your back for too long.
STAY IN SIGHT
‘Out of sight’ can result in ‘out of job’. Be visible to your team or make sure that your work is visible at all times. People tend to remember who was around when the going was tough, so be present to help your team when the big project deadline is near.
RAISE YOUR HAND
Many people find it tough to ask for help. Also, there are tasks that no one wants. In both cases, raise your hand. Volunteer to help colleagues and complete unsavoury tasks. This is the fastest route to being indispensable.
Devashish Chakravarty, Director, Executive Search at Quetzal
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