< Previoustechnology with the ability to copy them, mimic them, and also in time master them - even if they are all just synthetic. SOFT SKILL UMBRELLA CATEGORIES Having conducted a thorough investigation of every soft skill used in society I have concluded that there are 15 umbrella categories of soft skills that cover them all, and you can see these categories as well as the associated individual attributes, skills, and traits that all contribute to that category listed below. While many of these are quite obviously only soft skills the eagle eyed individuals among you might have noticed that “Creative” makes it into both the hard and soft skills lists. However, in my quest to clearly delineate between hard and soft skills there are creative skills that are learned and that employers require proof of in the form of certification, and then there’s the rather chaotic, fuzzy, and sometimes messy human creative process that’s most definitely a soft skill. 1. Adaptability and Resilience This category of skills is the ability to adjust to change and recover from adversity or setbacks. Examples include: •Adaptability to new situations •Agility •Cognitive flexibility •Coping skills •Emotional regulation •Flexibility •Grit •Growth mindset •Interpersonal adaptability •Learning agility •Mental resilience •Mental toughness •Open-mindedness •Optimism •Perseverance •Positive attitude •Proactivity •Problem-solving •Resourcefulness •Self-awareness •Self-care •Self-efficacy SOFT SKILL UMBRELLA CATEGORIES . H AVING THOROUGHLY categorised and investigated every hard skill in the previous section in this section we’re going to be doing the same for soft skills and creating umbrella categories that cover them all. SOFT SKILL AUTOMATION While many of us recognise how different hard skills can be automated there are many people that say soft skills, or the majority of them, can never be automated by machines. But in the main that’s an incorrect assumption. Just as we see with hard skills soft skills are also process and work flow orientated. For example, a machine might not be able to empathise with people in the same spiritual way that a human might but using a variety of sensing systems they can identify a smile and determine the right response. So, nevertheless, while humans have both a learned and innate ability to master different soft skills there are a multitude of ways that we can imbue 120311institute.com•Self-reflection •Stress management •Tolerance of ambiguity •Versatility These soft skills are all directly related to the ability to adapt to change, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a positive outlook in the face of challenges. They involve the capacity to remain flexible, regulate one’s emotions, and find creative solutions to problems, even under pressure. Adaptability and resilience are essential for navigating the uncertainties and disruptions of modern life, both personally and professionally. They enable individuals to learn from experiences, grow through adversity, and maintain high levels of performance and well-being, even in difficult circumstances. Some key aspects of adaptability and resilience include the ability to modify one’s approach in response to new information or feedback, the mental toughness to persevere through obstacles and setbacks, and the self-awareness to recognize and manage one’s own stress levels and emotional responses. Please note that while some skills, such as problem-solving and open-mindedness, can also be relevant to other skill categories, in the context of adaptability and resilience, they specifically refer to the ability to find effective solutions in challenging situations and remain receptive to new ideas and approaches in the face of change. 2. Collaboration Skills This category of skills is the ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal. Examples include: •Accountability •Active listening •Adaptability •Collaborative problem-solving •Compromise •Conflict resolution •Cooperation •Cross-functional collaboration •Cultural sensitivity •Emotional intelligence •Empathy •Facilitation •Flexibility •Giving and receiving feedback •Interpersonal communication •Interpersonal skills •Motivation •Negotiation •Open-mindedness Notes: 121311institute.com•Patience •Relationship building •Respect for diversity •Shared responsibility •Teamwork •Trust-building •Virtual collaboration These skills encompass various aspects of working effectively with others, including communication, interpersonal relationships, problem-solving, and adaptability. They contribute to creating a positive, productive, and successful collaborative environment, enabling individuals to work together towards common goals, navigate challenges, and build strong professional relationships. 3. Communication Skills This category of skills ability to effectively convey, interpret, and receive information through various channels and means. Examples include: •Active listening •Assertiveness •Body language •Clarity •Concision •Confidence •Constructive feedback •Diplomacy •Empathy •Facilitation •Interpersonal communication •Interpretation •Negotiation •Nonverbal communication •Oral communication •Persuasion •Presentation skills •Providing feedback •Public speaking •Questioning skills •Reading comprehension •Storytelling •Summarizing •Tact •Technical communication •Tone modulation •Verbal communication •Visual communication •Written communication These soft skills are all directly related to the ability to effectively convey information, ideas, and feelings through various channels, as well as the ability to understand and interpret messages from others. They are crucial for successful communication in personal, social, and professional contexts. 4. Creative and Innovative Thinking Notes: 122311institute.comThis category of skills is the ability to generate novel ideas and approach problems in new ways. Examples include: •Adaptability •Brainstorming •Challenging assumptions •Curiosity •Design thinking •Divergent thinking •Experimentation •Idea generation •Imagination •Innovation •Lateral thinking •Open-mindedness •Original thinking •Out-of-the-box thinking •Problem reframing •Risk-taking •Unconventional thinking •Visionary thinking These soft skills are all directly related to the ability to generate novel ideas, approach problems from different angles, and think beyond conventional boundaries. They are essential for fostering creativity and innovation in various personal and professional contexts. Please note that while adaptability and risk-taking can contribute to creative and innovative thinking, they are also relevant to other skill categories, such as adaptability and resilience or leadership skills. However, in the context of creative and innovative thinking, they specifically refer to the willingness to adjust one’s approach and take calculated risks when exploring new ideas and solutions. 5. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving This category of skills is the ability to analyse information, identify problems, and develop effective solutions. Examples include: •Analytical thinking •Asking questions •Attention to detail •Causal analysis •Convergent thinking •Decision-making •Deductive reasoning •Evaluation •Evidence-based reasoning •Inductive reasoning •Inference •Logical reasoning •Objective thinking •Problem identification •Root cause analysis •Strategic thinking Notes: 123311institute.com•Synthesizing information •Systems thinking •Troubleshooting These soft skills are all directly related to the ability to analyze information, identify problems, and generate effective solutions using logical and systematic approaches. They are crucial for making sound decisions, solving complex problems, and thinking critically in various personal and professional situations. Please note that while some skills like decision-making and strategic thinking can also be relevant to other skill categories, such as leadership skills, in the context of critical thinking and problem-solving, they specifically refer to the application of logical reasoning and analysis to make informed choices and develop effective strategies. 6. Cultural Competence This category of skills is the ability to appreciate, understand, and interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. Examples includes: Here is an alphabetical list of soft skills that perfectly align with the umbrella category of “cultural competence”: •Adaptability •Cross-cultural communication •Cultural awareness •Cultural intelligence •Cultural sensitivity •Empathy •Ethnorelativism •Global perspective •Inclusivity •Inter-cultural competence •Multicultural collaboration •Non-judgmental attitude •Open-mindedness •Respect for diversity •Self-awareness •Tolerance for ambiguity •Understanding of cultural norms •Valuing diversity These soft skills are all directly related to the ability to understand, appreciate, and effectively interact with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. They involve recognizing and respecting differences, adapting to various cultural contexts, and fostering inclusive environments that leverage the strengths of diversity. Cultural competence is essential for building positive relationships, communicating effectively, and Notes: 124311institute.comcollaborating successfully in today’s globalised world, where individuals from different cultures often work together towards common goals. 7. Emotional Intelligence This category of skills is the ability to manage, recognise, and understand one’s own emotions and the emotions of others. Examples includes: •Active listening •Adaptability •Assertiveness •Conflict resolution •Empathy •Impulse control •Motivation •Optimism •Positive influence •Relationship management •Self-awareness •Self-confidence •Self-expression •Self-motivation •Self-reflection •Self-regulation •Social awareness •Social skills •Stress management These soft skills are all directly related to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. They involve developing a deep understanding of oneself, regulating emotional responses, and building strong, positive relationships with others. Emotional intelligence is crucial for effective communication, collaboration, leadership, and overall success in personal and professional life. It enables individuals to navigate complex social situations, handle stress and challenges effectively, and create a positive impact on others through empathy, motivation, and strong interpersonal skills. Please note that while some skills, such as adaptability and stress management, can also be relevant to other skill categories like resilience, in the context of emotional intelligence, they specifically refer to the ability to adjust one’s emotional responses and cope with stressors in a healthy, constructive manner. 8. Entrepreneurial Mindset This category of skills is the ability to create value, identify opportunities, and take calculated risks. Notes: 125311institute.comExamples includes: •Adaptability •Calculated risk-taking •Creativity •Critical thinking •Flexibility •Future orientation •Grit •Growth mindset •Initiative •Innovation •Leadership •Opportunity recognition •Optimism •Persistence •Proactivity •Problem-solving •Resilience •Risk Taking •Self-motivation •Strategic thinking •Vision These soft skills are all directly related to the ability to think and act like an entrepreneur, whether in the context of starting a new venture or driving innovation within an existing organization. They involve the capacity to identify opportunities, generate creative ideas, take calculated risks, and persevere in the face of challenges. An entrepreneurial mindset is characterized by a strong drive to create value, solve problems, and bring ideas to life. It requires a combination of creativity, strategic thinking, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Entrepreneurs must also possess strong leadership skills, as they often need to inspire and motivate others to work towards a shared vision. Please note that while some skills, such as problem-solving and adaptability, can also be relevant to other skill categories, in the context of an entrepreneurial mindset, they specifically refer to the ability to find innovative solutions to business challenges and quickly adjust strategies in response to market feedback or changing conditions. 9. Interdisciplinary Thinking This category of skills is the ability to integrate insights and knowledge from multiple disciplines to solve complex problems. Examples includes: •Adaptability •Applying knowledge •Connecting ideas •Contextual understanding Notes: 126311institute.com•Cross-disciplinary collaboration •Cross-disciplinary communication •Curiosity •Holistic thinking •Identifying connections •Integrating perspectives •Intellectual flexibility •Interdisciplinary problem-solving •Interdisciplinary research •Navigating disciplines •Open-mindedness •Synthesis •Systems thinking •Transferring insights •Valuing diversity •Willingness to learn These skills focus on the ability to think, learn, and work across multiple disciplines, integrating knowledge and insights from various fields to solve complex problems, generate innovative ideas, and gain a more comprehensive understanding of a given subject. They involve the capacity to connect seemingly disparate concepts, adapt to different disciplinary contexts, and collaborate effectively with experts from diverse backgrounds. 10. Interpersonal Skills This category of skills is the ability to interact effectively with others and build positive relationships. Examples include: •Active listening •Assertiveness •Coaching •Collaboration •Communication •Conflict management •Diplomacy •Empathy •Emotional intelligence •Facilitation •Feedback •Influence •Intercultural competence •Interpersonal awareness •Mediation •Mentoring •Negotiation •Networking •Nonverbal communication •Patience •Persuasion •Rapport-building •Relationship management •Social perceptiveness •Stakeholder management •Teamwork •Trust-building •Verbal communication These skills are focused on the ability to effectively communicate, collaborate, Notes: 127311institute.comand build relationships with others, which are fundamental to success in any interpersonal context. 11. Leadership Skills This category of skills is the ability to guide, inspire, and motivate others to achieve a common goal. Examples include: •Adaptability •Coaching •Communication •Conflict management •Decision-making •Delegation •Emotional intelligence •Empathy •Empowerment •Influence •Inspiration •Integrity •Interpersonal skills •Mentoring •Motivation •Negotiation •Problem-solving •Resilience •Responsibility •Self-awareness •Servant leadership •Strategic thinking •Team building •Transformational leadership •Trust-building •Vision These skills are essential for effective leadership, as they enable individuals to guide, inspire, and support others in achieving shared goals. They encompass the ability to create and communicate a compelling vision, make sound decisions, and adapt to changing circumstances. Leaders must also be skilled in empowering and motivating others, fostering collaboration, and managing conflicts constructively. Emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills are crucial for building strong relationships and creating a positive team culture. Ultimately, these skills contribute to a leader’s ability to drive organizational success and positively impact the lives of those they lead. 12. Learning Aptitude and Mindset This category of skills is the ability and willingness to acquire new knowledge and skills. Examples includes: •Adaptability Notes: 128311institute.com•Application •Curiosity •Feedback-seeking •Growth mindset •Intellectual humility •Learning agility •Open Mindedness •Persistence •Reflection •Resilience •Self-direction •Self-motivation •Self-reflection •Willingness to learn These skills are essential for fostering a strong learning aptitude and mindset, enabling individuals to continuously acquire new knowledge, skills, and abilities throughout their lives. They encompass the openness, curiosity, and willingness to learn, as well as the ability to adapt to new learning situations and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Intellectual humility and self- reflection allow individuals to recognize their own limitations and learn from their experiences, while seeking feedback and applying new knowledge help them continuously improve. Ultimately, these skills contribute to personal and professional development, as well as long-term success in an ever-changing world. 13. Moral Intelligence and Integrity This category of skills is the ability to make ethical decisions and consistently act with honesty and integrity. Examples include: •Accountability •Compassion •Consistency •Courage •Ethical decision-making •Fairness •Honesty •Integrity •Respect •Responsibility •Transparency •Trustworthiness These skills are crucial for individual and organizational success, as they form the foundation of ethical behavior and decision-making. These skills encompass the ability to act with honesty, fairness, and respect, while taking responsibility for one’s actions and being accountable to others. Trustworthiness and consistency are essential for building and maintaining positive relationships, both personally and professionally. Compassion and respect for others demonstrate a commitment to treating people with Notes: 129311institute.comNext >