“Young Managers
& Soft Skills”
Tsinghua University – China
By Doug Levin
June 21, 2017
Agenda
• “Soft Skills” – The term, meaning &
importance
• Considerations for young managers
• Soft Skills tree, inventory & applications
2
Starting Note:
3
Why are Soft Skills Important?
• It’s a skill set that is…
– Part of your professional competence
• Is it a strength or weakness for you?
– Required for all jobs
– Complements technical skills
– Transferable
4
Soft Skills Considerations
for Young Managers
Encompass
All interpersonal
interactions here
Executive/Senior Exec’s &
Managers
You are here
3rd Parties (E.g., Vendors)
Young
Managers
Colleagues / Peers
Administrative/Subordinate
Resources
5
Soft Skills - Overview
Difficulty to
Measure
Time
“Hard Skills”
“Soft Skills”
6
Soft Skills - Overview
Importance in
your career
Time
“Hard Skills”
“Soft Skills”
7
The Skills Tree
Soft Skills







Communication Skills
Leadership
Influencing
Interpersonal Skills
Personal Skills
Creativity
Professional Skills
8
The Skills & Young Mgr’s
Soft Skills







Communication Skills
Leadership
Influencing
Interpersonal Skills
Personal Skills
Creativity
Professional Skills
Executive/Senior Exec’s &
Managers
3rd Parties
(E.g., Vendors)
Young
Managers
Colleagues /
Peers
Administrative/Subordinate
Resources
9
The Skills Tree
Soft
Skills
Communication Skills
Leadership
Influencing
Interpersonal Skills
Personal Skills
Creativity
Professional Skills
10
Soft Skills Inventory - 1
Communication Skills:
1. Verbal Communication
2. Body Language
3. Physical Communication
4. Writing
5. Storytelling
6. Visual Communication
7. Humor
8. Quick-wittedness
9. Listening
10. Presentation Skills
11. Public Speaking
12. Interviewing
Influencing:
Leadership:
13. Team Building
31. Facilitation
14. Strategic Planning
32. Selling
15. Coaching
33. Inspiring
16. Mentoring
34. Persuasion
17. Delegation
35. Negotiation
18. Dispute Resolution
36. Motivating
19. Diplomacy
37. Collaborating
20. Giving Feedback
21. Managing Difficult Conversations
22. Decision Making
Interpersonal Skills:
23. Performance Management
38. Networking
24. Supervising
39. Interpersonal Relationships
25. Managing
40. Dealing with Difficult People
26. Manager Management
41. Conflict Resolution
27. Talent Management
42. Personal Branding
28. Managing Remote Teams
43. Office Politics
29. Managing Virtual Teams
30. Crisis Management
11
Soft Skills Inventory - 2
Creativity:
Personal Skills:
61. Problem Solving
44. Emotional Intelligence
62. Critical Thinking
45. Self-Awareness
63. Innovation
46. Emotion Management
64. Troubleshooting
47. Stress Management
65. Design Sense
48. Work-Life Balance
66. Artistic Sense
49. Taking Criticism
50. Self Confidence
51. Adaptability
52. Resilience
53. Assertiveness
54. Competitiveness
55. Self-Leadership
56. Self-Assessment
57. Tolerance of Change and Uncertainty
58. Friendliness
59. Enthusiasm
60. Empathy
Professional Skills:
67. Organization
68. Planning
69. Scheduling
70. Time Management
71. Meeting Management
72. Technology Savvy
73. Technology Trend Awareness
74. Business Trend Awareness
75. Research
76. Business Etiquette
77. Business Ethics
78. Diversity Awareness
79. Disability Awareness
80. Intercultural Competence
81. Training
82. Train the Trainer
83. Process Improvement
84. Knowledge Management
85. Writing Reports and Proposals
86. Customer Service
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87. Entrepreneurial Thinking
Are Soft Skills important?
•
•
•
•
For customers-facing and client-facing jobs?
For teamwork?
For the CEO?
For a “healthy” work environment?
13
Identify 6 Soft Skills in this
situation
1. Organization Skills
1. Listening Skills
2. Presentation Skills
3. Problem Solving Skills
2. Mentoring Skills
3. Negotiation Skills
14
How are Soft Skills important
to these people?
MARISSA
“Leader”
Life Sciences
(Drug Development Company)
JOHN
CEO
Financial Services
DHIMANT
“Consultant”
Top-Tier Strategy Firm
Thanks! And Best of Luck!
Contact Info:
Doug Levin
(M): [email protected]
(T): @dalev
(M): +1 617.512.1849
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