Soft Skill and Personality Development PDF
- 1. SOFT SKILLS & PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT (SSPD) HSN16603 – 3 credits DHSS, MNNIT 14 𝟎𝟐 𝟐𝟓 Introduction to Soft Skills and its Significance by VShree
- 2. Unit I – Introduction to Soft Skills and its Significance 1. Skills – Meaning 2. Classification of Skills 3. Soft Skills 4. Significance of Soft Skills 5. Behavioural Approach to Enhance Communication Skills 6. Positive Thinking and Negotiation Skills 2 VShree 04-03-2025
- 4. Introduction to skills: prologue • About Skills: • Skills refer to the abilities/expertise/competencies/proficiencies • Either acquired (through experience/education/training) or sometimes inherent • Competence that enables a person to perform specific tasks or activities effectively • Sources: • Natural/Inherent Skills - abilities that people are born with or naturally possess • For instance, having a musical talent (Lata Mangeshkar), athletic ability (Milkha Singh) • Acquired/Developed Skills - those they acquire through learning, practice, or experience • For instance, Coding, Leadership, Public Speaking, all are learned through practice • Classification: They can be categorized into two broad types, • Hard Skills: The technical knowledge, often learned through formal training and measurable • Soft Skills: The non-technical abilities, traits required in a specific employment environment 4 VShree 04-03-2025
- 5. 2. Classification of skills 5 VShree 04-03-2025
- 6. Introduction to skills: classification HARD SKILLs & SOFT SKILLs 04-03-2025 VShree 6 • Profession-oriented/Job-Specific Abilities • Technical expertise, relevant to certain professions • Instances - Proficiency in Software Programming, Data Analysis, Finance, Event Handling, Foreign Languages • For a Chemical Engineer - Ability to use engineering software like AutoCAD, and MATLAB, to design and simulate chemical processes. • Ability to design and optimize the production, hazard identification, automation, quality control • Personal qualities and traits that impact how you work and that is desirable even • Instances - having Effective Communication, Teamwork, Time Management, Conflict Management, Leadership Skills, and Strategic Thinking • Relevance - Complement hard skills, improve productivity, and help you build professional relationships
- 7. Introduction to skills: Coverage HARD SKILLs & SOFT SKILLs 04-03-2025 VShree 7 • It will be taken care of by the courses/subjects imparted: • Workshop & Manufacturing Process (MEN12602) • Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines (AMN13106) • Instrumentation and Process Control (PIN13102) • Manufacturing Science & Technology (PIN14103) • Computer Aided Manufacturing (PIN15101) • And many more to come…. • Good attitude being a behavioural skill cannot be taught. However, consistent practice and training can instil that in a person. • Traits developed in soft skills are: • Effective Communication Skills • Leadership Styles • Problem Solving Ability • Emotional Intelligence • Time and Stress Management
- 8. 3. About - soft skills 8 VShree 04-03-2025
- 9. Introduction to soft skills • Soft skills are all about the non-technical skills, abilities, and traits people need to function in a specific employment environment. • Also known as "people skills" or "interpersonal skills," soft skills relate to the way you relate to and interact with other people • Soft Skills work on four sets of workplace competencies: 1. Personal Qualities and Work Ethics 2. Problem-Solving Attitude and Decision-making skills 3. Communication Skills 4. Impersonal and EQ skills 9 VShree 04-03-2025
- 10. Introduction to soft skills: BRANDED DEFINITIONS • The abilities for adaptive and positive behaviours that enable individuals to deal with the demands and challenges of everyday life – World Health Organization (WHO) • A behaviour change or behaviour development approach designed to address a balance of three areas: Knowledge, Attitude and Skills – UNICEF • Soft skills are often referred to as people skills, interpersonal skills, or emotional intelligence. These abilities are important in both personal and professional relationships and play a key role in workplace success – LinkedIn • Soft skills include the ability to work with others, problem-solve, and communicate effectively. They are just as important as technical skills in today's workplace – Google • Soft skills are crucial for effective leadership, collaboration, and success. They are essential for building relationships, managing teams, and achieving organizational goals – Deloitte 1 VShree 04-03-2025
- 11. 4. Significance of Soft skills 11 VShree 04-03-2025
- 12. Vitals aspects covered under Soft skills • Soft Skills cover the following vital aspects that need to be maintained to have a significant impact on the professional success of any executive: 1. Behaviour Development 2. Interpersonal Skills 3. Problem-solving Attitude 4. Communication Skills 5. Effective Leadership Skills 6. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) 7. Collaborative Approach 8. Managing Team – Leadership Skills 12 VShree 04-03-2025
- 13. significance of soft skills # 1 – develops Communication Skill • Case study # 1: Mr. A, an advocate at a reputable law firm, representing a client, Ms. C, in a complex employment discrimination lawsuit against a large corporation. Ms. C claims that she was unfairly terminated due to her gender. The case has been ongoing for several months, and it is now in the discovery phase. Ms. C is anxious about the process and is becoming increasingly frustrated with the delay in her case’s progress. Mr. A is bound by the court’s formal proceeding. Hence, he cannot do anything instantly. What is lacking in the given case and what is the remedy? • Communication Skill: Mr. A, being an advocate must have clear communication. That will help him prevent misunderstandings, encourage collaboration, and ensure the smooth flow of information. It's essential for building strong relationships in the workplace and avoiding costly mistakes. 13 VShree 04-03-2025
- 14. significance of soft skills # 1 • 7 Cs of Effective Communication: 1. Clear/(Clarity): One should be clear about the goal of his/her message and the purpose of the message. Present one idea at a time making it easier for the recipient to understand. Do not leave them guessing what the message is about and having to fill in the gaps themselves 2. Concise/(Conciseness): Keep to the point and keep it short and simple. Do not use unnecessary words. Don’t repeat the same point in different ways. 3. Concrete(Concreteness): One should be clear, not fuzzy. Ensuring that there is enough detail to get the message across but not too much so that the recipient will be lost and that the message is factual. 4. Correct/(Correctness): One must check the information that is being provided. It should be accurate. The technical parts of the contents should be understandable by the person receiving the information. 5. Coherent: One should make sure that the message flows well and is laid out logically. The points made should all be linked to the main topic and should help to deliver the objective one has originally set out to achieve. Also, to make sure the tone of the message is the same throughout. 6. Complete/(Completeness): Ensure the recipient has everything they need to understand your message and take action if needed. If action is needed, ensure the message includes a ‘call to action’. Do not leave the recipient with lots of questions to ask. 7. Courteous/(Courtesy): The message should be polite, friendly, professional, open and honest. The message should be empathetic from the recipient’s point of view and towards their needs. 14 VShree 04-03-2025
- 15. significance of soft skills # 2 – develops problem solving attitude • Case study # 2: A software developer faces an unexpected bug during a product launch. People are waiting for the unveiling of the product and to troubleshoot the issue, it is expected to take substantial time to resolve. Mr. software developer is confused. Kindly guide. • Problem Solving Skills: The fact that cannot be ignored is that some problem has occurred and the same cannot be solved simply by avoiding it. So, he should decide to identify the root cause and find a quick solution. 15 VShree 04-03-2025
- 16. significance of soft skills # 2 • Problem Solving Skills: • Problem-solving skills are the ability to identify problems, brainstorm and analyze answers, and implement the best solutions. • An employee with good problem-solving skills is both a self-starter and a collaborative teammate • Proactiveness in understanding the root of a problem and working • It includes the following exercises: • Researching patterns/trends, • Experimenting with new channels, • Brainstorming with the contents, • Testing calls to action to see which ones drive the most, • Implementing a new workflow to automate a team process 16 VShree 04-03-2025
- 17. significance of soft skills # 3 – guidance/leadership skills • Case study # 3: A.P.J Abdul Kalam's significant failure in launching a missile occurred during the 1979 launch of the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3), where the rocket malfunctioned and crashed into the Bay of Bengal due to a computer error that he overruled, effectively causing the mission to fail. The then-ISRO chairman Satish Dhawan took responsibility for the setback and shielded Kalam from public criticism. Comment upon the significant roleplay of Satish Dhawan. • Leadership skills: That helps in guiding the team towards success, especially in challenging situations. Good leaders inspire others, build trust, and foster a sense of purpose, which can greatly enhance team performance. 17 VShree 04-03-2025
- 18. significance of soft skills # 4 – conflict resolution ability • Case study # 4: At M/s ABC Pvt. Ltd., a mid-sized retail company, two customer service representatives, A and B, have been working together for several months. Both are strong performers, but recently, they have started to clash over their handling of customer complaints. Mr. A prefers to quickly resolve issues with straightforward solutions, while Mr. B believes in taking extra time to ensure every customer is thoroughly heard and all details are considered. This difference in approach has led to frustration and tension between the two. Their disagreements have started affecting the rest of the team, with other members feeling the strain. The team’s performance is beginning to slip as conflicts between A and B slow down their ability to collaborate effectively. • Conflict Resolution Skills is essential for maintaining a positive work environment. By addressing issues early and constructively, conflicts don’t hinder progress, and team cohesion is preserved. 18 VShree 04-03-2025
- 19. significance of soft skills # 4 • Conflict Resolution Skills: • Workplace conflicts encompass more than mere disagreements; they represent a divergence of interests, perspectives, or values among individuals within an organization. • How to resolve? Following are some of the ways through which conflict can be removed: a. Empathy: Understanding Others’ Perspectives b. Active Listening: Fostering Understanding and Mutual Respect c. Expressing Concerns and Encouraging Dialogue d. Using Emotional Intelligence: e. Collaboration: Turning Conflicts into Catalysts for Innovative Solutions f. Guiding the Team Through Conflicts with Inspiration 19 VShree 04-03-2025
- 20. significance of soft skills # 5 - adaptability • Case study # 5: M/s Trend-Setter, a digital marketing agency, was tasked with running a major online campaign for a new e-commerce client. The campaign was set to launch across multiple platforms, including social media, Google Ads, and email newsletters. Ms. L, the lead campaign manager, and her team had spent weeks preparing for the launch. They had a clear plan, set content, and schedules in place. However, just two days before the launch, the client changed its target audience—shifting from a broad demographic to a more niche market segment. The client also asked for a completely different tone and messaging for the campaign, which was a significant departure from the initial brief. • Adaptability - The challenge was to quickly adapt the campaign to fit the new target audience and tone, without delaying the launch or compromising the quality of the work. Ms. L and her team should make substantial changes to their strategy, content, and advertising approach in a very short amount of time. 20 VShree 04-03-2025
- 21. significance of soft skills # 6 – develops eq • Case study # 6: M/s Hi-Tech Solutions, a software development company, was facing a challenging situation when two of its employees, Mr. A (a senior developer) and Ms. B (a junior developer), had a heated disagreement during a project meeting. Mr. A, who had years of experience, was frustrated with Ms. B’s approach to coding and felt that she was not following the best practices. Ms. B, on the other hand, was upset because she felt Mr. A was dismissive of her ideas and did not take her suggestions seriously. The conflict escalated, causing tension within the team. The project was at a crucial stage, and the negative atmosphere was beginning to affect team morale and productivity. • Emotional intelligence & Conflict Management - The challenge is to resolve the conflict between Mr. A and Ms. B without further damaging the team’s dynamics and to ensure that both employees feel heard and respected. The project needed to stay on track, and a resolution was needed to restore collaboration within the team. 21 VShree 04-03-2025
- 22. significance of soft skills # 6 • Emotional Intelligence (EQ): • Also known as emotional quotient (EQ) is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. • The 5 elements of emotional intelligence a. Self-awareness. b. Self-regulation. c. Motivation. d. Empathy. e. Social skills. 22 VShree 04-03-2025
- 23. significance of soft skills – Summarized • Effective Communication: Helps convey ideas clearly and persuasively. • Adaptability and Flexibility: Helps individuals navigate changing environments and new challenges. • Problem Solving: Enhances the ability to analyze and resolve issues creatively and efficiently. • Emotional Intelligence: Helps manage emotions and understand the emotions of others. • Leadership and Motivation: Inspires teams to achieve common goals & builds confidence/trust • Time Management: Increases productivity by effectively prioritizing tasks. • Conflict Resolution: Helps resolve disagreements constructively and amicably. • Networking and Relationship Building: Builds professional connections, leading to new opportunities. • Positive Attitude: Enhances resilience in the face of challenges. • Negotiation Skills: Facilitates mutually beneficial agreements and partnerships. 23 VShree 04-03-2025
- 24. 5. Behavioural Approach to Enhance Communication Skills 24 VShree 04-03-2025
- 25. Behavioural Approach to Enhance Communication Skills • There are eight ways to maximize communication skills for the success of any organization and that of personnel: 1. Be clear and concise 2. Prepare ahead of time (proactive) 3. Be mindful of nonverbal communication (facial expressions, gestures, and body language) 4. Watch your tone (should be decent and technical instead of being harsh and using lingos) 5. Practice active listening (be receptive and have patience) 6. Build your emotional intelligence (develop understanding) 7. Develop a workplace communication strategy 8. Create a positive organizational culture • Also, add 7Cs of Effective Communication to your personality 25 VShree 04-03-2025
- 26. 6. Positive Thinking and Negotiation Skills 26 VShree 04-03-2025
- 27. Positive Thinking • Positive thinking can be defined as the practice of consciously choosing positive thoughts and emotions over negative ones. It involves cultivating a positive outlook on life, maintaining a constructive attitude, and reframing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. • Common Misconceptions about Positive Thinking: • Positive Thinking is somewhere ignoring the reality • Positive Thinking is a state of being constantly happy • Positive Thinking is having a wishful thinking 27 VShree 04-03-2025
- 28. Positive Thinking fosters the professional upliftment • Positive thinking can play a significant role in professional growth and career development: 1. Encourages Creativity – if the situation does not favour let's not give up but move ahead with another plan. 2. Improvises Problem-Solving Ability - positive thinkers are more likely to view challenges as opportunities 3. Resilience and Adaptability - helps to bounce back from failure quickly & adapt to changes with confidence 4. Relationships and Team Building - positivity is contagious – a flow of support, encourages better teamwork 5. Confidence and Self-Belief - help individuals believe in their capabilities and march ahead 6. Stress Buster – positive thinking shifts focus toward constructive thoughts and actions 7. Career Advancement – an executive who plays well against the odd, gains sustainability and recognition too 8. Mental Health and Well-Being - he who has a healthy mind, has hope; and he who has hope has everything 28 VShree 04-03-2025
- 29. Negotiation Skills • Refers to the abilities/techniques that enable an individual to effectively discuss & reach agreements with others • In a given case, where Mr. N is a freelance graphic designer who has been working with a tech startup for six months on a contract basis. As the contract is nearing its end, the startup expresses interest in extending the contract for another six months. Mr. N, however, feels that the terms offered are not ideal and wants a higher rate to reflect the increased workload and his experience. Mr. N wants to negotiate a higher hourly rate while maintaining a positive relationship with the client. • Here comes the role of Negotiation Skills. These skills are crucial in any situation where two or more parties have different needs, goals, or perspectives, and a mutual agreement is required. 29 VShree 04-03-2025
- 30. Negotiation Skills Strategy 30 VShree 04-03-2025 1. Preparation and Research - to start by reviewing his current contract and researching the industry rates 2. Setting the Meeting – to schedule a meeting with the client, ensuring to have a conversation, instead of avoiding 3. Active Listening - during the meeting, listen to the startup’s needs 4. Clear Communication - asking questions to understand their budget and goals for the upcoming projects 5. Subtle Offer - to suggest a balanced deal – a % increase in the hourly rate, with a more flexible working schedule 6. Handling Objections – on making an offer, the startup may express concern about the budget 7. Maintaining Flexibility – to counter offer new denominations, making both parties step towards a consensus 8. Closing the Deal – ensuring no loss and a reasonable gain should close the deal • Lesson - Negotiation is not about winning or losing, it's about finding a solution that satisfies the interests of all parties involved
- 31. Negotiation Skills - required for 31 VShree 04-03-2025 • It is required for all, be it: • A businessman - to secure a partnership, negotiate deals, set prices, and manage relationships with investors, suppliers, clients, and employees • A professional - to discuss terms with clients, secure contracts, or manage conflicts with colleagues and superiors. • An employee - for career advancement, salary increases, promotions, managing workload expectations, and resolving conflicts with colleagues or managers • Negotiation skills are valuable to anyone who interacts with others, makes decisions, or is part of a collaborative effort.
- 32. VShree - Dr. Vikas Singh Mobile No. – 9839943452 e-Mail – vshree.digipencil@gmail.com 04-03-2025 32