The Soft Skills at the Core of True Care and the AI Tools to Help Build Them

In a world that often values technical skills over human connection, I’ve found that soft skills are what truly make a difference. From my days in pharmacy to my current role in business leadership, it’s been these skills—speaking human, being available, and staying consistent—that have fueled real connections, earned trust, and built lasting relationships.

But mastering soft skills isn’t always intuitive, and that’s why I’m keen on sharing some of the tools, resources, and exercises that have helped me strengthen these skills along the way. Whether you’re in healthcare, business, or any field that involves working with people, these tools are practical ways to make soft skills a part of your everyday approach.

1. Speak Human: Using clear, empathetic communication that removes jargon and makes complex information accessible.

One of the easiest ways to get better at clear communication is by trying to explain complex ideas as if you’re talking to a 5-year-old. It sounds simple, but breaking down big ideas into basic terms forces you to think about what’s truly essential. It also helps you see things from a fresh perspective, making you more empathetic to someone who’s hearing it for the first time. When you can explain something without jargon, it shows you’ve really mastered the topic.?

Tool: Grammarly and ChatGPT for Clearer Language Grammarly and ChatGPT are great for refining language to make it clearer and more relatable. Grammarly’s tone detector helps ensure your writing is friendly and approachable—perfect for emails or documents that need to come across as clear and inviting. ChatGPT, on the other hand, can rephrase complex language and jargon-heavy content into simpler terms. Try pasting in your original text and ask ChatGPT to provide a clearer, more conversational version. This way, your message will reach your audience in a way that feels natural and easy to grasp.

2. Be Available, Not Just Present: Active listening and availability to foster trust and show people that they matter.

In any role that involves working with people, being truly available means more than just showing up physically; it means actively listening and showing genuine interest. This isn’t always easy—our minds naturally start thinking ahead to the next task or meeting. But with a simple exercise like the “Two-Minute Pause,” you can stay focused on what’s important in the moment. After each interaction—whether it’s with a client, team member, or even in a quick email exchange—take two minutes to jot down the key points of the conversation. Write down anything that stands out about the person’s needs, goals, or follow-up items.

This short practice not only helps you stay present during conversations but also prepares you for meaningful follow-ups. The next time you meet, you’ll have notes on what matters most to that person, showing them that you value their concerns and are genuinely paying attention. It’s a simple way to keep your interactions more intentional and memorable.

Tool: Otter.ai for Meeting Notes Otter.ai can be a huge asset here, especially during meetings or longer conversations. Set Otter.ai to record important discussions, allowing it to transcribe and highlight key points for easy reference. After the meeting, review the notes Otter.ai generated, and jot down anything specific you want to remember in the two-minute pause exercise. This combo approach helps you stay engaged without losing any essential details, creating a solid foundation for stronger relationships and more effective follow-ups.

3. Consistency Is Key: Building trust and reliability through consistent actions and messages.

Building trust doesn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of small, consistent actions that show people they can count on you. Whether in business or personal interactions, consistency reinforces reliability and keeps relationships strong. One way to develop this skill is through a simple “Weekly Reflection and Commitment” exercise: at the end of each week, take 10 minutes to think about whether you followed through on what you promised or intended. Then, write down one action you’ll commit to in the coming week to improve your consistency. It’s a small habit, but over time it strengthens your reliability and reinforces trust with clients, colleagues, and anyone you work with.

Tool: Todoist for Consistent Follow-Up A tool like Todoist can help you stay organized and consistent with your commitments. In Todoist, add reminders not only for work tasks but also for important client check-ins or updates with team members. Set deadlines and create recurring reminders so that you never miss a follow-up. With Todoist, you can build consistency into your routine, showing others that you value their time and concerns. As you stay on top of these follow-ups, you’ll reinforce trust and demonstrate reliability in all your interactions.

Book Recommendation: Atomic Habits by James Clear If you’re looking to make consistency a natural part of your routine, I highly recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear. His insights on building sustainable habits, both big and small, offer practical ways to make consistency second nature. This book breaks down how tiny, consistent actions can transform your work and relationships over time, making it well worth a read for anyone serious about lasting growth.

Soft Skills Aren’t Optional—They’re Foundational

Soft skills aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re essential for creating meaningful, lasting relationships, whether with patients, clients, or team members. Mastering these skills isn’t about being perfect; it’s about making the effort to connect, to be reliable, and to show up as someone who cares. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that these little efforts, over time, build the kind of trust that no technical expertise alone can offer.