SOFT SKILLS

Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual's interactions, career prospect and productivity

aztofor students, professionals and entrepreneurs

J Ravi Shanker

J Ravi Shanker

note…This presentation is made for youngsters who want to progress and make a statement of their own in this competitive world. It helps you to become a better person.

It is exhaustive and prescriptive as well. It will be wise to go through this presentation over a period of time rather complete it at one go. This will give you time to ponder over each point and reflect at ease. I would encourage group discussion over each slide for diverse view points.

Happy Surfing…

This presentation is only for educative non commercial use. All photographs and art forms illustrated are of respective individuals sources.

J Ravi Shanker

A- Attitude

B- Behavior

C- Communica-tion

C- Coach

D- Determin

ation

E- Etiquette

s E-

Ethics F-

Friendship

G- Group work

H- Humor

I-Interpers

onal Skills

I - Integrity

J- Just do it

K- Knowled

ge

L- Leadersh

ipM-

Motivation

N- Negotiati

on

O- Optimis

m

P- Professionalism

P- Problem solving

P- Presenta-

tion

P- Personal Hygiene

Q- Question

R- Responsi

bi-lityS- Social

grace

T- Time manage-

ment

U- Understa

ndingV- Voice ideas

W- Winning spirit

X- X factor

Y- Young at heart

Z- Zeal

The A to Z of Soft skill basics.

J Ravi Shanker

Attitude Carry realistic self image Keep a winning Attitude Think positive Talk positive Accept and learn from criticism Always respect others’ culture Be practical Keep a check on your attitude

J Ravi Shanker

Behavior Be nice to people around you Be courteous / polite Dress to the occasion Always greet people with smile Never be arrogant Leave the place if you can’t fit in Don’t argue for the sake of it Do not over indulge

J Ravi Shanker

Communication-i Verbal Communication (Includes both spoken and

written forms) Non-verbal communication (Understanding Body

Language) Develop listening skills (Active, Passive and

Reflective Listening) Refrain from negative communication Engage positive tone, words/verbs Build up the topic before you deliver Know the importance of ‘silence’ Your body language should be of acceptable standards

J Ravi Shanker

Communication-ii Learn strategies to improve your fluency and confidence in

official /business language & local language Develop the speaking skills to clearly express your ideas Improve your range and accuracy in business language Work on your accent, intonation and production of

individual sounds. Should not sound artificial. Practice elocution skills in meetings and presentations Write reports, letters and emails as practice Work on effective speaking, presentation skills, public

speaking, handling questions, team presentations, and telephone etiquette

most business communications remains confusing, ungrammatical, unfocused or unnecessary. Focus on how to write clearly and precisely, and how to identify and correct common errors in grammar, usage, and sentence structure, persuasive letters, memos, notices, faxes, and e-mail messages, as well as documentation and various reports.

J Ravi Shanker

Coach Always try to share your learning Don’t discourage others Encourage fresher to experiment Encourage discussion Promote creativity Look at scope for learning Appreciate even smallest achievement Overcome insecurities

J Ravi Shanker

Determination Always be determined to achieve higher

goals Do not get distracted Keep yourself motivated Express confidence Do not easily give up Possibilities are endless One failure is not ‘the end’ Take support of others

J Ravi Shanker

Etiquette-i Where ever you go, follow the rules Always greet people with smile Be courteous to all Stand straight Sit in decent posture Never be rude to people Do not haggle with people While driving don’t honk too much Don’t indulge in rash driving

J Ravi Shanker

Etiquettes-ii While travelling don’t throw garbage out of

window At lift / elevator /public transport don’t

push people Give way to elders, children and women Keep your workstation / laptop / tab

organized While sipping coffee / tea don’t make noise While dining wait for others to start Don’t litter / split in public places Don’t talk loudly on mobile / phone Don’t spoil public places

J Ravi Shanker

Ethics Never cause harm to public property Uphold country / institutional values Be honest to the possible extent Follow rules even if no one watching you Set principles in personal and work life Adhere to own value system Do not deviate from ethics for short term gains

J Ravi Shanker

Friendship Win friends on your way Don’t make enemies; they eat your time Keep regular contact with people Greet them on special days If you can afford, give occasional gifts Treat them with respect Never ignore your friends Don’t hesitate to take help Don’t exploit friendship

J Ravi Shanker

Group Work Know how to work

in group Be a team player Treat your

colleagues with respect

Motivate your colleagues

Be assertive Ready to confront if

needed Always resolve

conflicts

Listen to your colleagues

Promote team work Invest in team

building Appreciate their

contribution Ready to negotiate.

J Ravi Shanker

Humor Have sense of humor Do not anger people Don’t belittle others in humor Be sensitive in your humor Your humor should relieve stress Send refreshing messages/ mails Don’t mock your mentor

J Ravi Shanker

Interpersonal skills Keep good working relationship with

colleagues Always respect their opinion If disagree, express it with dignity Be non-judgmental Respect confidentiality of others Don’t gossip others’ personal life If you can’t appreciate, stay silent Overcome prejudice Ready to cooperate

J Ravi Shanker

Integrity Be clear about your beliefs / values Don’t be scared to accept mistake Don’t lie Don’t try to bribe Be honest Be courageous Deliver what you commit

J Ravi Shanker

Just do it Don’t spend too much time on thinking Complete the task in time to get results Don’t let smaller issues become bigger

hurdles Never leave the task midway Roll up sleeves & rope in others Don’t let the fear of failure overpower you Don’t get disheartened easily

J Ravi Shanker

Knowledge Knowledge is nothing but common sense Always be alert Read/watch news regularly Be thorough in your subject of interest Think before you talk Carry 360o perspective Read books regularly Questioning is source of

learning

J Ravi Shanker

Leadership See the big picture Be a democratic leader Involve others Consult before decide Show the path to others Be open for feedback Learn from mistakes Lead from front Keep members together

J Ravi Shanker

Motivation Motivate yourself & others Have patience Keep trying and never give up Demonstrate the success Celebrate success Appreciate good work Reward success Recognize the achievement

J Ravi Shanker

Negotiation skills Understand the problem and actors Don’t loose focus Work out win-win situation Lead / facilitate discussion to end result Always pacify conflict Do not overstretch dialogue Be well mannered

J Ravi Shanker

Optimism Be optimistic Never be pessimistic Cynicism is destructive Infuse optimism in colleagues / followers Carry positive attitude Believe in yourself Trust your colleagues

J Ravi Shanker

Professionalism Respect time & resources Be committed to task Uphold professional values Separate professional and personal life Organize your work Do not over commit Don’t step into others role Carry mutual respect Don’t deviate from rules Never violate law

J Ravi Shanker

Problem solving Exude confidence Don’t celebrate problem Instill hope in others Seek help & cooperation Be ready to apologize or course correction Be creative / out of the box Look for alternatives Ready to accept failure Never aggravate problem

J Ravi Shanker

Presentation Dress appropriately for the presentation Keep eye contact with the audience Modulate your voice and tone through out Be precise and crisp in your presentation Allow time to discuss Keep content visually appealing Use neutral colors Use wit and humor cautiously Don’t block your presentation Involve audience

J Ravi Shanker

Personal Hygiene Dress well. Never

look shabby or stinky Keep check on body

odor Don’t over spray

perfume Check your oral

hygiene After using toilet

make sure its clean Don’t poke nose in

public Don’t scratch body

parts in publics

While coughing use tissue

Trim hair & nails regularly

Rehydrate yourself at regular intervals

J Ravi Shanker

Question Never hesitate to question Question to know but not to judge Question yourself before you question

others Accept others questioning with grace Don’t be reactive to questions Never question with bias Don’t get emotional Don’t be judgmental

J Ravi Shanker

Responsibility Take initiative Assume responsibility Never shy away from responsibility Take additional responsibilities However, don’t over burden yourself Be realistic about your abilities Demonstrate your abilities

J Ravi Shanker

Social grace Be sensitive to local culture Dress to the cultural Be conscious about social values Be conscious about environment Be conscious about vulnerable Don’t display wealth Be humble to others Be sensitive to problems Be careful with selection of your words

J Ravi Shanker

Time Management Multitask and prioritize your

to-do list Always schedule your task Stick to time schedules Apologize if not punctual Work to deliver task in time Convey the delay in advance Respect other’s time Don’t overbook yourself Never leave work to last hour Never procrastinate

J Ravi Shanker

Understanding Understand before you conclude Understand others position and point Understand others limitations and

strengths Be realistic in your expectations Ask for some time to understand Study various aspects Allow benefit of doubt if needed Check out past experiences

J Ravi Shanker

Voice ideas Don’t hesitate to express your views /

ideas Give voice to your thoughts Don’t let your position restrict you form

expressing your ideas Don’t bother about ‘what others think?’ Sharing ideas is always appreciated Have a winning idea ? share it

J Ravi Shanker

Winning spirit Always carry ‘winning spirit’ Don’t carry ‘self doubt’ Some may discourage you but don’t loose

your spirit Hurdles are part of the game. Your winning spirit can create ‘magic’ Carry ‘never die’ attitude Keep smiling Encourage others not to give up

J Ravi Shanker

X factor Every individual is unique & special Identify the X factor in you Always carry the X factor with you Be conscious and proud of it Never let others demoralize you Take advantage of your X factor Your uniqueness is your strength

J Ravi Shanker

Youthful Always stay young at heart Never let your age dominate you Youthfulness is productive Youthfulness brings happiness You can always inspire others Carry ability to laugh together Take criticism with smile Don’t hesitate to crack joke at self Be ready to take challenge

J Ravi Shanker

Zeal Zeal or high spirit sustains your life Have zeal to know more Have zeal to learn at any age Have zeal to grow Have zeal to contribute more