10 minute read
Soft Skills – The Trampoline To Propel You Higher
Communication IS KEY
What you say is as important as how you say it
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A critical skill is a skill you need in order to do a specific task; a soft skill is what will set you apart from everyone else who can do the job as well as you can. Regardless of where you end up in life and what career you decide on, communication skills will remain key to your success, writes Jamaine Krige.
The real benefit of doing a short course or qualification in journalism or communication, regardless of where you see yourself in 10 years, is that by the time you’re done, you should be able to communicate clearly and effectively – a must in any job and every workplace, says Dr Sandra Roberts.
Sandra is the academic head of fraycollege, which provides communications training that focuses on writing, speaking and presenting, social media, and audiovisual communication skills like making videos. In short, she says, this is everything you need to get your message out there in a clear and confident way.
These skills, she says, are crucial in every industry and sector, regardless of your job title or role. “Communication skills are desperately needed in the current world of work, or what we call the ‘knowledge economy’. It is not only about the product we sell, but also what is said about it that matters!” It’s not enough for a company just to produce a product, they also need someone who can write or speak about that product in a number of different ways, and on a number of different platforms. Communication between the different people building the product is also important for the production process. “Even something as simple as a stapler comes with writing and instructions that tell you it is a good product and how to use it safely and correctly.”
She says every person at every company, and even entrepreneurs, must be able to communicate what they do, why they’re doing it and why others should care.
Targeted, effective and tailored Karen Gray, a training and learning consultant, is the CEO of Gray Training. She agrees that communication skills – or rather communication skill sets – are important for the workplace of the future. “These skill sets are obviously the bedrock of everything, because you won’t get far if you can’t write clearly and if you can’t speak clearly.”
Communication is about much more than just speaking and writing properly and having a good vocabulary. It must also be targeted, effective and tailored to the specific context of the situation. “It’s about choosing the right medium. So, if everyone in your organisation uses email or WhatsApp to communicate, that’s fine. You, however, need to use the correct tone of language and at least be able to punctuate correctly so that your message comes across clearly and you are understood. When it comes to verbal communication, your job might not entail public speaking or large presentations,
but you probably need to communicate with your colleagues and give instructions. All these scenarios require a cluster of spoken, written and maybe even graphic communication skills for you to communicate effectively.”
If a civil engineer can’t write a clear sentence, then the bridge they’re building could fall down and we will have a disaster on our hands
This, says Karen, is why she’s so passionate about teaching business writing. She was working as a lecturer in communications when she went on an outing with a group of engineering students: “It opened my eyes, because for the first time in my life I realised that if a civil engineer can’t write a clear sentence, then the bridge they’re building could fall down! If they’re not reporting clearly and accurately, or not communicating instructions properly, then we could have a disaster on our hands!” It was during this revelation that she decided to take her academic skills, which were grounded in linguistics and literature, into the real world and help people communicate in the workplace.
In her business writing training, Karen doesn’t teach you the boring theories that underpin the rules of grammar; she teaches you how to apply those rules in real-life situations. “That’s the difference, and that is what you get in short courses. You learn the value of the skill you’re learning, and how to actually use it in the workplace,” she explains. “The learning is outcome-based, which means you learn how to put your knowledge into practice, and the knowledge Karen Gray
Advice for entering this new phase
Karen’s advice as you enter this new phase of your life: “Each of us has such a unique skill set and talent set, and we’ve got to push ourselves. It’s not going to come to us – we’ve got to go out there and shine. We’ve got to seize every opportunity that we can and make the best of it.” Her second piece of advice: “Never close a door! Keep them open, because if you’re surrounded by open doors, you can go through them – but more importantly, other people can come through them towards you. As you leave school, you’re not sure what you’re going to be doing in 10 years. You’ll probably have various jobs or occupations, possibly in several different fields, during the span of your working years. Every experience leads to new opportunities and the chance to take your career in a new direction.” And remember your skills are transferable, because you can take your suitcase with you wherever you go. Once you’ve got a skill or skill set mastered, Karen adds, another door opens for you – and that’s the door of teaching others.
and theory just supports the practical application – as opposed to university, where theory is usually the foundation for everything.”
Soft skills will set you apart Communication, in this regard, is a soft skill. Karen says soft skills refer to skills that you need to succeed in the workplace that aren’t directly related to the work you are doing. Stress management is another example of an important soft skill, and so is time management. These skills are not only relevant to a specific job or industry; they’re necessary whether you’re a doctor, an engineer, a project manager or a hairdresser. These are the skills that set people apart and can be the difference between thriving and just surviving in the workplace.
At Gray Training, Karen teaches a number of short courses that help hone these soft skills. “A good way to understand soft skills is to think about them as the foundation that you stand on before you jump,” she explains. “Without soft skills, you’re jumping from a cement surface – but with soft skills, you’re jumping on a trampoline that gives you life, vuma and allows you to go even higher! Your soft skills give you that lift, even when applying your practical and vocational skills. That is why they’re so important for you to develop.”
Learning isn’t confined to a classroom though. “You can develop and hone these skills in or out of school, in or out of university, in and out of a classroom, and in or out of the workplace.” Karen says every skill you acquire through life can be tucked away in your suitcase of life, and can be applied to a number of different situations and occupations. “Like many other skills in your suitcase, you don’t need a piece of paper to prove you can do them; just being in a situation where you are negotiating, facilitating, presenting ideas… you collect experience that you can use again and again. No skill is ever wasted.”
Perhaps you were part of the debate team at school, or captained a sports team, or really shone in mathematics. “We tend to move on and maybe in your next life, at varsity or in the workplace, you don’t use that particular skill every day,” she explains. “But that skill is still with you, and it never really goes away, especially if it is something you developed as a young person.”
It’s not that companies will look at applicants and specify that they are looking for someone who was a prefect in high school, or who played netball or field hockey. “What they’re looking for is the underlying skills that are implied – a prefect usually has leadership and organisational skills, and if you played group sports then you’re likely to be a team player in the workplace too,” she explains.
These skills are not officially taught in the school curriculum, but are vital for success in life and in the workplace. “What we grow up learning outside of a classroom – teamwork, respect, sharing and leadership – becomes a part of us,” she says. “We might not always realise how important they are, but these soft skills end up transferring into critical skills as we grow older and progress in life.”
A soft skill is what will set you apart from the crowd Karen says a critical skill is something that will render you inadequate in the workplace if you don’t have it. A soft skill, however, is what will set you apart from the crowd. “You can be a functioning cashier or waiter at a restaurant, and you can perform all your work duties,” she explains. “But if you have good people skills and a strong sense of respect, you might pick up that an older person needs some extra assistance.If you are honest, you may notice that a customer has left something behind and return it, because that is just who you are.” It’s when you dig into your suitcase and pull out these skills that you will really shine as an employee. “Doing this puts you one step ahead, and can be the difference between just fulfilling your duties and getting promoted to manager.”
Learn how to learn Sandra also has a word of advice for you as you embark on your next adventure, regardless of whether you decide to study at a university, complete a short course or qualification, or jump head-first into the world of work: learn how to learn. “I think the most valuable thing to know is how to teach yourself to do things. Through the internet, you’ve got the entire world of learning at your fingertips. Empower yourself!”
Soft skills will give you the extra lift that will set you apart
The new JuniorTukkie e-learning platform
The JuniorTukkie (JT) Online platform at the University of Pretoria was established to provide Grade 10 to 12 learners with a host of key learning resources that will enable them to prepare well for their examinations in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, English, Accounting and Life Sciences.
There are a range of enrichment programmes, which include life skills sessions in creativity, critical thinking, decisionmaking, mathematical reasoning, time management, communication skills, as well as community engagement opportunities, which will enable learners to prepare for their academic career and entering the world of work.
JuniorTukkie Online allows you to work at times that are convenient for you in the comfort and safety of your home. This flexibility allows for you to study on your own terms but leaves you with the knowledge and peace of mind that what you are learning is impacting positively on your study preparation and future career goals.
Direct enquiries can be sent to Mr Themba Maluleka: studentsupport@juniortukkie.online.
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• Go to www.up.ac.za/apply, select
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JT members who qualify will be invited to attend the following events (adhering strictly to Covid-19 protocols): • Preparation Conference for
Grade 12 learners • Faculty information sessions for learners and their parents offered by Health Sciences: Grade 12 and
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Make an appointment with a Specialist Senior Student Advisor if you want to discuss the following: • Grade 10 subject choices • Study and career options • Your UP online application Email: carol.bosch@up.ac.za
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