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Corporate Learning World
Nine Essential Soft Skills
Personal Attributes and Interpersonal Abilities that enhance an
individuals interactions, job performance and career prospects
What's important to realize is that
companies are aware that a person's
soft skills is an important part of their
individual contribution to the success
of an organization.




Corporate Learning World
Calgary, AB, CANADA
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http://CorpLW.footprintsherpa.net
CorpLW@gmail.com
Corporate Trainer / Facilitator & Entrepreneur
Esperanza Montalvo
My intention is to bring out the
potentiality of our clients - whether
they are in a company or working for
themselves, which in turn impacts their
personal effectiveness.
Presenter



http://CorpLW-web.footprintsherpa.net
CorpLW@gmail.com
Strategist, Entrepreneur and Innovator
Gustavo Munvar
My primary focus is creating learning
experiences that build upon existing
knowledge and skills; solve fundamental
challenges and needs in learning; and
tracking training impacts in financial terms.
Editor


Corporate Learning World

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Nine Essential Soft Skills
The rules for succeeding in business are changing daily -
talented, knowledgeable people plus innovative
products is what contributes to success

Why this e-Book?
This free e-Book shows you the 9 Essential Soft Skills and gives you some
Tips for each of them. You can also find out, on a Survey, your level of
awareness regarding Soft Skills.
Note: All of us need to continuously work on our Soft Skills since
continuous learning is perhaps one of the most important ones.
In this e-book, we will discuss some of the recommended strategies to
enhance your Peoples Skills, key pitfalls to avoid, and tips to
consistently improve your Inter-relations and Results.
Keep this e-book as a quick reminder and reference.
Give to others and encourage them to visit our Blog & Website.
You can browse this book however you choose.
Go from page to page or jump to wherever you desire!

http://CorpLW.footprintsherpa.net
http://CorpLW-web.footprintsherpa.net

Experience the Nine Essential Soft Skills
required to succeed!
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Content

Why this e-book? 3
Introduction 6
Nine Essential Skills Categorized as People Skills 7
Communication Skills . 9
Local Language Skills .. 10
Presentation Skills .... 11
Small Talk 12
Leadership and Initiative 13
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation ... 14
Accepting Constructive Criticism . 15
Flexibility .. 16
Business Etiquette .. 17
Bonus Skill One of the most important Skills 18
Questions & Answers 19
Your Soft Skills Survey .. 23
CLW SOFT SKILLS Solutions, Services, and Products 24



There are two mistakes one can make along the road to
truth not going all the way, and not starting.
-- Hindu Prince Gautama Siddartha,
The founder of Buddhism, 563-483 a.c.

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Introduction

The Corporate Learning World has been developing training experiences on Soft Skills for
your benefit.


What's Soft Skills Got To Do With You?

Enhancing your Soft Skills at critical times can make the difference between a failed
promotion and a successful one. It is often a significant success factor in
capturing your potential versus wasting it, and can mean the difference between a
career turnaround or termination.


How Can People Skills Be More Impactful?

We will discuss:

Nine types of skills categorized as People Skills
Impactful implications when lacking these skills
In-the-moment soft skills techniques
Specific recommendations for each of the skills
Practical application of an essential skill - Conscious Feedback
You and your Soft Skills competence


Who Needs Soft Skills and Why?

Everyone from all levels of the organization
Companies Dont succeed. People Do!


Why Companies benefit from Consultants Expertise?

Although senior leaders and managers see the value in gaining soft skills for their
employees, they are inconsistent because they feel they don't have the time
Some leaders lack soft skills themselves
Soft Skills expertise is different than managerial or leadership expertise
Consultants are relatively neutral, confidential and focused on the leaders /
managers developmental success, not their performance evaluation/ranking
They are not constrained by internal work deadlines and crisis and can provide
the needed structure and time for incorporating / expanding soft skills in pursuing
professional and business objectives


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Nine Essential Skills Categorized as
People Skills

J oin CLW Webinar Series on Soft Skills


Thrive in your job and receive the
promotions and recognition you deserve.
Establish the connections required to create
Performance & Results in any area of your
life.
From showing empathy while giving feedback, and optimism when dealing
with obstacles, to self-awareness so as to know whats going on around
you and others - these and other competencies are now becoming an
integral part of progressive organizations.
Benefit from the programs on Soft Skills we have developed at Corporate
Learning World. Visit http://CorpLW-web.footprintsherpa.net

You can browse this book however you choose.

Go from page to page or jump to wherever you desire!


The first step in finding your way somewhere is to
discover where you are, to begin with.
-- Polly Berends, 1990
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Nine Essential
Soft Skills
by
Esperanza Montalvo
Corporate Learning World
Join us Twitter using #CorpLW

Agenda
Reflecting on people skills
New Economy = New Reality
The 9 Soft Skills known as People Skills
Food for thought!
Questions & Answers

Companies Dont Succeed.
People Do!
Tom Peters,
Management & Leadership Consultant

Did you know?

Whats the message?
New Economy

The 9 Soft Skills

Soft Skills = People Skills



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1. Communication Skills

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about
things that matter.
-- Martin Luther King
How do I communicate?
1. Communication Skills

Tips for persuasive communication
Focus on the people receiving your message
Use persuasive words, especiall y you
Eliminate barriers to persuasive
communication, like spelling mistakes


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2. Local Language Skills

What are you saying?
2. Local Language Skills
In a corporate environment, your
language skills have to evolve to
understand local phrases and
business jargon
FYI, ASAP and ROI



Tips on local language skills
Gatekeeper [n] - A person within an organization that controls the flow of
information to and from managers. Can often be valuable friends.
Hand-holding [v.] Helping someone perform a task that, because of
inexperience or incompetence, they cannot complete on their own.
Time-poor [adj.] Possessing little free time.
True North [n.] The business direction that leads to success. "We've brought in
some consultants to help steer us to True North."
Sacred cow [n.] A program or product that can be unprofitable but cannot be
questioned.
Unpack [v.] To explore and examine on detail.



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3. Presentation Skills

Here I am
3. Presentation Skills
This could mean a formal
presentation to clients or;
a more casual way of presenting
yourself in meetings and with
colleagues



Tips for presentation skills
Focus on the audience We become nervous
when we focus on ourselves
Remember Peoples Names
Connect with the Audience through Eye
Contact and Pauses
Do you know about Toastmasters?


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4. Small Talk

What Should I say
4. Small Talk
Water cooler chitchat is part of
corporate life
recognize which topics are
tabooin Canada or/and in your
Company



Tips for small talk
Stay away from religion / strong political beliefs
Find common interests
Listen & Ask Questions
The best conversationalist is not the best
speaker but the best listener!



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5. Leadership and Initiative

Where is my place?
5. Leadership and Initiative
Staying invisible is why many
professionals are overlooked
when it comes to promotions
Take initiative, share ideas, ask
questions, and encourage others
to collaborate






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6. Conflict Resolution and Negotiation

How could I deal with this?
6. Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
Learn how to disagree with a co-worker or
even your boss without getting emotional
when things go to far, learn to apologize



Tips for conflict resolution
Focus on the best solution, not my solution
Always take responsibility when a conflict
arises It takes two to tango
Let go of desire to win. Work towards to
Resolve.



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7. Accepting Constructive Criticism

What about feedback?
7.



Tips for receiving criticism
Take suggestions irrespective of who suggest
them look at the suggestion and not who is
doing it
Dont take it personal
Take your time to Repl y First start with
what you agree then what you disagree with


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8. Flexibility

Changing again?
8.





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9. Business Etiquette

What do I need to do?
9. Business Etiquette
Workplace customs and practices may be
different in Canada



Tips for business protocol
Communicate more with spoken word than
body language
Keep personal distance
Prefer details and backup evidence such as
examples
Expect others to speak in a straight forward
manner


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Bonus Skill

Bonus Skill - One of the most important Skills

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If we dont grow, we shrink! There is no staying the same. We
either grow or shrink.

As we learn each day, our mind and perspective towards life and work
expand, leading us towards the direction we desire.




Food for Thought!


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Questions & Answers
By Esperanza Montalvo




How can I make a difference between chitchat and gossiping?

Chitchat is talking about trivial information and it is done as an icebreaker
or simply filling time. Gossiping, on the other hand, its a harmful
conversation that only produces an environment of resentment and discord.

Avoid gossiping by walking away from it, or
Changing the subject.

Become known for being someone who detests gossiping.



When a conflict has started, what do I need to do?

You have two choices:

Feed into the conflict; or
Stop the conflict and create a Dialogue (instead)

Often its our desire to be right what feeds a conflict.
Ask inwardly: what did I do or said to cause this.
As soon as we begin listening to the other point of view, and
understand that the other has the right to his opinion, we began a
dialogue where both parties are listened to respectfully.
It takes an attitude of respect for the opinions of others to create
Dialogue and stop a conflict.



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What do I need to do to improve my presentation skills?

Practice, practice, practice.
Ask your team leader to give you the opportunity to present as much
as possible.
Create opportunities for yourself at a community centre, a church, a
club.
J oin Toastmasters International (Google).
Choose one Tip (on slides) and practice it until you master it, then
choose the next one.



Is there a method or technique to quickly learn a specific
industry jargon?

Go to the library. You will find books on every industrys jargon.
Easier yet, Google it. You will find jargon for engineers, lawyers,
business, accountants, you name it.
Pay attention to your colleagues. When you dont understand an
expression, ask confidently what it means.
Ask, Ask, Ask.



What do you recommend us to improve our communication
skills?

Decide that you want to improve your communication
Use words of affirmations: I am an effective communicator. I am
connecting with others as I communicate, etc.
Listen with the intention to understand and connect not to win, be
right, or better than others.
Be willing to learn from others so pay attention to what they say.
Communication is more an attitude than anything else. As we
change our attitude, the way we communicate changes.



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What do I do when I have a conflict with a colleague?

Always make yourself 50% responsible and have the attitude of
solving a problem where you are also the cause.
Clarify the problem and invite the other to resolve our problem not
his or hers.
Listen actively without interrupting.
Always thank the other person for wanting to work on solving the
conflict.


What is the best way to get feedback about work that has been
done? Usually here they dont tell you anything and I have to
assume.

If feedback is not given to you, your job is to ask for it. Some managers
believe that only when things are not working, should feedback be given
(this is the old style of leadership). Take initiative and ask for it. Be willing
to hear about areas for improvement, and welcome all suggestions (if
provided).

What would you do when you are dealing with a manipulative
person, whom you need to keep a long term relationship with, for
instance, your boss, your best customer, etc.

First of all, look at your perception a manipulative person. When we learn
that others only treat us as we allow them to, we are ready to solve the
problem.
Step #1 - Look within yourself.
I could say, be assertive and confident, ask for what you want and so on.
Yes. This is one way. I also know that we need to keep our jobs and
relationships. We call 'manipulative' people those who can trigger our
sensitivity and get us to do what 'they' desire. So, your job is to become
aware of where and when this person plays with your weaknesses. Pay
attention. You need to "Know Yourself" to respond not from a place of
Fear but from a place of Awareness.
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Step #2
When you feel manipulated, ask yourself: what is he or she doing that
makes me feel this way? Pay attention and begin discovering the reason
you feel such way.
For now, you asked the question so you are on your way to solve the
situation. You are now aware that something needs to change.
Step #3
Begin changing within yourself what needs to be changed. Perhaps you
are uncomfortable with conflict. Perhaps you are uncomfortable expressing
your opinions, etc. You need to discover what your fears are and work on
them.
When we look within, we Awaken!

Corporate Learning World

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Your Soft Skills Survey
Heres an opportunity for you to figure out whether you have or lack Soft Skills. Beside
each question, write the number that most closely represents how youd react, most of
the time. For the best results, go with your first reaction.
3. Most of the time 2. Sometimes 1. Mostly No


_____ Can you be optimist when others arent?
_____ Do you speak well of your employer?
_____ Do you follow instructions willingly?
_____ Do you keep promises?
_____ Do you know your weaknesses and work to
improve them?
_____ Do you respect other peoples opinions?
_____ Can you adapt easily to new and unexpected
situations?
_____ Do you tend to be enthusiastic about whatever
you do?
_____ Are you a good listener
_____ Can you disagree without being disagreeable?
_____ Do you usually speak well of others?
_____ Do you generally look for opportunities and the
bright side of things?
_____ Are you enthusiastic about other peoples
interests?
_____ Are you comfortable asking questions?
_____ Do you understand that your success is about
your Personal Development



_____ Do you tolerate other peoples beliefs?
_____ Can you work with someone you dislike?
_____ Do you admit your mistakes?
_____ Do you avoid gossiping and complaining?
_____ Do you ask questions and take initiative?
_____ Do you involve others on a day to day
conversations?
_____ Are you familiar with taboo topics in your
organization?
_____ Are you willing to give presentations when
asked?
_____ Do you connect with people easily?
_____ Do you learn peoples names easily?
_____ Do you ask questions out of your interest to
others?
_____ Can you take and give feedback understanding
its value?
_____ Do you follow Business etiquette in your
interactions?
_____ Are you familiar with cultural differences?
_____ Are you a continuous learner?


_____ Total

(Maximum score: 90 )



Total your score and rate yourself according to the following scale:

80 90 Your Soft Skills are terrific!

59 79 Your Soft Skills are definitely admirable!

38 58 Your Soft Skills need work in certain areas

Below 37 Your Soft Skills need a lot of work. Take a close look at them and do
something about it.

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You can rely on our expertise
Let us help you expand your Soft Skills
Online Conscious Feedback Course
Discover the world of people's motivation and
build your knowledge upon a variety of
situations.
Conscious Coaching
Communication with Impact
Emotional Intelligence
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership
http://CorpLW.footprintsherpa.net

Well see you soon!
http://CorpLW.footprintsherpa.net

Corporate Learning World