Work On Developing These 5 Power Skills

To be a successful professional, you don't just need technical aptitude or domain expertise (=hard skills), you also need to bring to the table a variety of intangible skills = power skills. Here are the top five power skills that every professional should actively work on developing.

Coachability

This is your ability and willingness to learn. It’s about having an open and humble mindset, where you are ready to accept and learn from feedback, ask questions, and constantly invest in self-improvement. With the rapid advancement in every field, we can afford to stop learning. Industries evolve, job roles transform, and having a coachable mindset means you are poised to navigate these changes smoothly. Coachability also shows your eagerness to grow and adapt, making you a valuable asset for any team.?

How to become coachable??

1. Develop a growth mindset. Receive feedback not as a critique of who you are, but as information that can help you improve and grow.
2. Seek feedback, ask for constructive feedback not just praise.
3. Listen actively. If you don't understand something, ask for clarification.
4. Be curious and open to new ideas.
5. Practice self-reflection. Reflect on your day, your behavior, and your interactions. This can help you recognize patterns and areas where you could improve.

Good Communication

More than just effectively presenting ideas and getting your message across, communication is also about listening actively, understanding different communication styles, and showing empathy. It’s about understanding that people communicate differently and adapting your style to suit a varied audience. Good communication helps build a cohesive, productive team.

Effective workplace communication isn't about bombarding your colleagues with information, but organizing this information in a way that is digestible and beneficial. It's also about being able to establish a two-way dialogue, fostering an environment where colleagues feel comfortable giving feedback or asking questions.

Adaptability

Given the dynamic nature of today's professional environment, adaptability is no longer a desirable trait; it's a prerequisite. It is about being comfortable with the uncomfortable, embracing change in all its forms from new technologies to changing business strategies. An adaptable professional can adjust to new processes, ways of working, corporate cultures, and even to new job roles. Adaptability makes us resilient; we are able to face challenges head-on and find innovative solutions.

Cultural Affinity

The IT outsourcing market is expected to reach $150.06 billion in 2027. Which means that we’ll be working alongside people from diverse cultural backgrounds, or dealing with international clients more and more. Having a cultural affinity means understanding, appreciating, and being sensitive to cultural differences. It involves acknowledging the nuances of cross-cultural communication, harmonizing various perspectives, and utilizing the diverse skills and viewpoints to foster innovation and creativity.?

How do you ensure you and your team communicate effectively across cultures?

The simplest method is to gather everyone together for a hands-on workshop to learn about differences in communication styles. For instance, it may become clearer that a Ukrainian colleague isn't actually being rude when providing direct feedback. This is simply how criticism is given in their culture - it's unembellished, straightforward, and culturally, no one takes offense. However, if you were an American, you might typically opt for a more indirect approach. In Ukraine, people seldom offer praise or compliments, while in the U.S., it's quite the opposite. This discrepancy can lead to a cultural shock for both parties.

Understanding such nuances can help enhance productive teamwork - this is the feedback I frequently receive from my clients after conducting my "Cross-Cultural Communication" workshops. Book it for your team as well.?

Leadership

Do you have to be a manager to be a leader? Do you need to develop leadership skills if you do not want to be a manager?

Leadership isn't just about managing people; it's about inspiring, motivating, making decisions, strategizing, and taking responsibility. Anyone at any level in an organization can show leadership qualities.?

It's still important for us to develop leadership skills, even if we don't aspire to be managers. These skills are not just for managing people; they're needed for managing situations, projects, and sometimes even customers or clients. They're also important for personal growth and empowerment.

Having leadership skills such as effective communication, decisiveness, strategic thinking, problem-solving, and building strong relationships can help in personal development and increase your value regardless of your position within an organization.?

Leadership skills are also essential for self-leadership – understanding yourself, motivating yourself, and taking responsibility for personal growth and achievements. Developing these skills is beneficial for career longevity and success, even outside of traditional management roles.

What power skills do you need to work more on??