You could land your dream job, excel at it – meeting targets and handling tasks efficiently – and remain stagnant, while your colleagues move up the ladder. You might think to yourself, “Is it juju?” Well, I told you that your village people will very likely not have a hand in it. Getting ahead in your career is beyond having technical skills; you need high-demand soft skills as well for your career growth.
Soft skills are your personal qualities that help you work well with others and handle challenges. Employers are always on the lookout for people who can communicate, adapt, and lead effectively.
Seven high-demand soft skills that can set you apart and speed up your career growth.
1. Communication: No matter what field you’re in, how you express yourself matters. Being able to clearly share ideas, write emails that make sense, and listen actively can open doors for you. Strong communication makes teamwork easier and helps you build relationships that can push your career forward.
How to Improve:
- Practise speaking confidently in meetings before they happen.
- Keep emails short, clear, and professional.
- Listen more – don’t just zone out until it’s your turn to talk.
2. Emotional Intelligence: Have you ever worked with someone who just “gets” people? That’s emotional intelligence. It’s the ability to understand and manage your emotions while also recognising and respecting the feelings of others. This skill helps you build trust, resolve conflicts, and work smoothly with different personalities.
How to Improve:
- Pay attention to body language and tone in conversations.
- Take a deep breath before reacting to tough situations.
- Show empathy – try to see things from other people’s perspectives.
3. Adaptability: Change is constant in every workplace. The ability to adjust quickly and stay positive when things shift is a major advantage. Employers love people who don’t panic when plans change but instead find solutions and keep moving forward.
How to Improve:
- Be open to learning new ways of doing things.
- Instead of fearing change, ask, “What can I learn from this?”
- Stay calm and think of solutions when challenges arise.
4. Problem-Solving: Every job comes with challenges. What sets you apart is how you handle them. Problem-solving is simply staying calm, thinking through issues, and finding workable solutions without making things more complicated than they need to be.
How to Improve:
- Break problems into smaller parts to find solutions faster
- Look for patterns – sometimes, past challenges can teach you how to handle new ones.
- Don’t rush – take time to weigh your options before making decisions.
5. Time Management: Deadlines. Meetings. Tasks piling up. If you can manage your time well, you’ll always be ahead. Employers notice people who stay organised, meet deadlines, and don’t always seem rushed or overwhelmed.
How to Improve:
- Use a to-do list or planner to keep track of tasks.
- Set priorities – focus on what matters most first.
6. Leadership: You don’t need a title to be a leader. Leadership is about taking responsibility, guiding others, and bringing out the best in people. Even if you’re not a manager, showing leadership qualities can make you stand out.
How to Improve:
- Take initiative – don’t wait to be told all the time.
- Offer help and guide teammates when needed.
- Stay positive and solution-focused, even in tough situations.
7. Networking & Relationship Building: Sometimes, who you know is just as important as what you know. Building strong relationships with colleagues, mentors, and industry professionals can open doors to new opportunities you never imagined.
How to Improve:
- Attend industry events or webinars and introduce yourself to new people.
- Keep in touch with past colleagues and professional contacts.
- Offer help before asking for favours – networking is a two-way street.
Soft skills are the secret to not just growing in your career but thriving. While technical skills get you the job, these high-demand soft skills will help you keep it, excel, and move up faster. The best part? Soft skills can be learnt and improved with practice. Take a moment and reflect on your inherent qualities. This will guide you on what soft skills to learn or improve on.
Now go be a star in your career!
So apt. As an employer of labour even in a small business, these skills are in high demand. Employers and colleagues are usually endeared to people who have and utilize these skills.