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Month: March 2024

SOFT SKILLS – TODAY AND TOMORROW

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What are Soft Skills?

Is still a common question raised by many a people. Or “Why are they called ‘Soft’ Skills?” The question could be raised by those who are familiar and benefitted from a multitude of soft-skills sessions, and even by a handful of amateur Soft Skills professionals.

Hard & Soft-skills

Let’s agree one needs continuous learning and improvement to succeed as a professional, and in life. A substantial extent of education occurs in our early years to get ready for adulthood. Most of our childhood education occurs as a result of agreement to study what our governing system decides for us. This is further followed by choice of domain specific learning determined by our professional interests concerning future career options, meaning, our choice to pursue Medicine, Engineering, Accountancy, Academics, Arts, Music etc.,

If the above process illustrates how an average individual completes the academic years, he or she is expected to function at a threshold level either in a business or a working organization immediately or shortly after. Most of academic learning gained from college and university constitute information gathering and skill orientation pertaining to ‘technical abilities’ required to perform a job function.

For example:

  • Tallying a Balance Sheet is a technical skill required for one to function as an Accountant
  • Coding is a skill required for one to function as a Software Professional
  • Designing a construction structure is a skill, a Civil Engineer exhibits to function as one

Such skills are termed, ‘Hard’ Skills, because they pertain to specific abilities required among specific professionals to do their core tasks.

Soft-skills, in the contrary are skills required by working and business professionals to function and overcome a variety of challenges eventually faced when performing.

For example:

  • To draw a Construction Design on the board is a hard skill, while having to present it in the most convincing manner to stakeholders is a soft-skill

Similarly, ability to Communicate Effectively, Handle Conflicts & Negotiations, Gaining Visibility within a workspace, Self-Expression and maintaining Emotional Balance are examples of soft-skills. Unfortunately, our formal education doesn’t do enough to empower us concerning the above abilities, and therefore the need for Soft-skills Training as a part of one’s professional development.
It can be argued that soft-skills are appreciated only when one experiences the pitfalls, or disadvantages of not having developed some. Soft-skills, necessarily don’t benefit us during work alone, but also outside work and hence, are also addressed as Life-Skills too.

Top 10 Soft-skills required among Working and Business Professionals:

  • Workplace Communication
  • Presenting and Public Speaking
  • Personal Branding and Visibility
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Conflict Management
  • Negotiating
  • Leadership
  • Problem Solving & Decision Making
  • Adaptability
  • Interpersonal Skills

One can see that aspects like Confidence, Integrity or Patience aren’t included in the list above because, Confidence for example is a ‘trait’ and not a skill. Traits certainly need addressing as per their relevance to a specific skill. For example, Confidence is an important trait to develop someone’s Negotiation Skills.

Behavioral Skills:

This aspect needs to be addressed too. It’s common for people to use the terms ‘soft-skills’ and ‘behavioral skills’ overlappingly. The justification provided, is that skillsets, apart from technical ones required to perform a job function, are to be considered as Behavioral Skills. Even if I personally have no issue with this view, let’s understand why the term Behavioral skills.
It’s now well acknowledged that soft-skills, in fact can be hard or ‘harder’ to imbibe, compared to technical skills. When our Hard Skills help us in getting a job, it’s our Soft-Skills that help us stay and grow in our career. Our Soft-skills nurture interpersonal relationships, help us become better as friends, parents, off springs, partners, spouses and humans.
One can master Soft-skills only through regular practice, patience, dedication and determination. Soft-skills, be it Communication, Time Management or People Skills, can be learnt and built only by practicing specific behaviors relevant to specific learning objectives, either by self, or with the guidance of a trainer or a mentor.

For example

CompetencySkillBehaviors
CommunicationDelivering Information/Messages Effectively at work
  • Begin the message with a proper Introduction (Why is the message important?)
  • Deliver the main body of the message in Bullet Points (Max 3 Bullet Points)
  • Complete Information Delivery with a proper Conclusion
Problem SolvingConducting an Analysis
  • Brainstorm the issue by registering inputs applying a Free-flow Writing Tool
  • Conduct a Cause & Effect Analysis
  • Identify the Root Causes
  • Draw the Problem Statement
People Leadership/ManagementProviding a Feedback to Correct a team member’s actions

  • State the specific Situation you observed of something wrong done by team member
  • State the specific Behavior exhibited by the team member in the specific situation
  • State the negative Consequences the Behavior can result in for all concerned
  • Discuss alternative Behaviors to respond to similar Situations in future

The above is to illustrate the significance of identifying and practicing specific behaviors relevant to a learning objective. Hence, the term Behavioral Skills, because, the most effective approach to pick up the skills is to identify and practice relevant Behaviors.

Methods and Approaches to Soft-skills learning:

Soft-skills are best picked up and practiced under the guidance of a facilitator or coach. Some of the popular means of picking up soft-skills today are:

  • Reading:

    Many books and blogs are authored to help people pick up soft-skills. Reading can help assist in the development of soft-skills. One could either read books or even subscribe to specific courses from internet sources written in text.

  • Tutorials:

    Video tutorials are a dependable means of picking up skills as they include demonstrations and case scenarios. Some tutorials are also run live on social media platforms allowing for learners to practice, and even raise questions to clarify as well with the presenter.

  • Workshops:

    Physical and Online: One could sign-up for specific training workshops conducted by seasoned facilitators. Workshops make it interactive, along with scope for hands-on application of key skills. Learners can also seek feedback and clarification concerning areas for improvement from the facilitator, for enhanced understanding, guidance and further application after the session.

  • Coaching and Mentoring:

    Coaching & Mentoring is also a great way to inculcate soft-skills. They’re commonly one to one engagements. Duration of the intervention can be decided as per a learner’s need. A learner also benefits from individual attention provided by a coach or mentor. This approach can foster better trust, camaraderie, flexibility and focus between the learner and the mentor.

Challenges to Soft-skills Training & Development:

  • Time:

    Just like any learning that’s worth the while, Soft-skills take time to inculcate. It’s extremely important to hone a penchant for continuous learning, and personal development to master soft-skills. Most business organizations find it difficult to engage its workforce beyond two days for soft-skills development programs at a stretch. Furthermore, it’s only when organizations are willing to engage learners with a Post Training Action Plan, that results can be witnessed and measured.
    Many organizations today seek the assistance of training faculties to help learners apply the skills learnt from workshops

  • Willingness:

    It asks for a great deal of willingness to get better at soft-skills. Soft-skills can’t be Urgent, they are Important. Business organizations and professionals alike consider soft-skills, something as ‘Good to Have’, than as important. Soft-skills as compared to technical skills can be challenging in its application. Technical skills can be predictable in results while soft-skills can’t. One needs to constantly be open for improvements and change, and even be experimental in order to get better at it.

  • Measurement of Learning :

    Hard skills, as are reasonably predictable in results when applied can be measured for effectiveness post learning, while soft-skills are difficult to measure for its effectiveness after learning.

  • Awareness and Analysis:

    Businesses and individuals alike, when seeking to hone soft-skills are unsure of where to begin or what to train. If to benefit from it, Soft-skills training must occur to close specific gaps in capabilities or competencies needed among people to perform effectively. An acceptable degree of analyzing the gaps or need analysis must happen before deciding what to train.

  • Trained Facilitators and Coaches:

    Even if the country has produced many a Certified Trainers across its length and breadth, it’s still hard to find soft-skills trainers who know what their job is. Authentically speaking, a trainer or a coach is one who focuses on just that, skill building.
    Public Speakers, Motivational Speakers and a variety of people who simply have gained the confidence to speak before an audience today claim to be trainers and do their own thing. This is usually ineffective or even considered a waste of time by businesses and learners. It takes time to find a qualified and effective training faculty knowing the job

  • Customization of a Learning Sessions:

    Soft-skills are important for people working in a variety of industries and sectors. However, it can be daunting to find trainers from specific industries and backdrops. This can sometimes become challenging for a training faculty to relate with the day to day challenges a group of learners to face in their work situations.
    However, this can also be seen as an advantage by some businesses. Not customizing a training, meaning not using data or examples pertaining to a specific industry audience, also can be seen as a learning experience offering an external perspective.

  • Future of Soft-skills training:

    With fast advancements in technology and science, advent of Artificial Intelligence, Soft-skills are here to stay and will gain more prominence. With the need for adaptability to fast changing working environments and demands, newer generation of people being more familiar with latest technology trends, however lacking in self-regard and interpersonal skills, may need intense interventions of skill building in such areas. Both business organizations as well as soft-skill professionals will experience the stress in rendering a workforce employable.
    From among a range of skillsets already being addressed today, Mental Wellness will be a new area that will need addressing. This need will witness the influx of many qualified Mental Health professionals, joining hands with current force of soft-skills professionals, to train and coach future professionals achieve higher standards of efficacy, and counter oncoming challenges of the future.

How to Become More Mindful in Your Everyday Life?

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How to Become More Mindful in Your Everyday Life?

How many times have you hurriedly started your day without considering how you want things to unfold? Suddenly, something or someone triggers irritation, impatience, or even anger, and you respond automatically—finding yourself behaving in a manner you never intended.

Breaking free from these patterns is possible. Taking a few minutes at various points throughout the day to engage in mindfulness can significantly enhance the quality of your days, aligning them more closely with your desired intentions.

  1. Mindful Morning Ritual: Setting the Tone for Your Day

    Commence your day with purpose by establishing intentions that align your conscious thinking with the primal emotional drives of your unconscious brain. This practice bridges the gap between the faster, unconscious impulses and the slower, conscious, and wiser abilities of the higher brain centres, such as the pre-frontal cortex.

    The unconscious brain largely governs decision-making and behaviours, emphasizing the importance of aligning with primal motivations like safety, reward, connection, purpose, self-identity, and core values. By setting an intention, you reinforce the connection between the lower and higher brain centres, influencing your day for the better. This increases the likelihood of responding mindfully and compassionately, particularly in challenging moments.

    Engage in this practice first thing in the morning, before checking phones or emails, by following these steps:

    Find a comfortable position in your bed or a chair. Close your eyes and connect with the sensations of your seated body, ensuring your spine is straight but relaxed.

    Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth for three long, nourishing breaths. Allow your breath to settle into its natural rhythm, observing the rise and fall of your chest and belly.

    Ask yourself: “What do I intend to achieve today?” Consider the individuals and tasks you will engage with using prompts such as:

    • How can I make a positive impact today?
    • What quality of mind do I want to cultivate?
    • How can I better care for myself?
    • In challenging moments, how can I show compassion to others and myself?
    • What can I do to feel more connected and fulfilled?

    Set your intention for the day. For example, declare, “Today, I will practice self-kindness, exercise patience with others, express generosity, remain grounded, persist in my efforts, enjoy moments of fun, and prioritize healthy eating,” or any other values that hold significance for you.

    Regularly assess yourself during the day. Take moments to pause, breathe, and revisit your established intention. Notice how heightened awareness of your daily intentions can lead to positive transformations in the quality of your communication, relationships, and mood.

  2. Mindful Dining: Savour the Flavour of Every Bite

    Eating often becomes a mechanical process of biting, chewing, and swallowing, performed without true awareness. Despite this, the act of eating is a deeply pleasurable human experience, and approaching it mindfully can elevate it beyond mere sustenance to a richer, more satisfying engagement with our senses and needs. Follow these steps to bring mindfulness to your meals:

    Take a Breath Before Eating: Interrupt the rush from one task to another by pausing and taking a breath before you begin your meal. Close your eyes, breathe slowly in and out of your belly for eight to 10 deep breaths, allowing a calm transition to your dining experience.

    Listen to Your Body: After breathing, shift your attention to the physical sensations in your belly. On a scale of 1 to 10, assess your hunger level, with 1 indicating no hunger and 10 signifying intense hunger. Identify the physical cues (such as stomach emptiness, shakiness, growling) without relying on thoughts about the time or your last meal. Listen to your body, not your thoughts.

    Eat According to Your Hunger: With a clearer understanding of your hunger, make mindful choices about what, when, and how much to eat. This practice helps you align your eating habits with your actual needs.

    Practice Peaceful Eating: Slow down during your meal and continue to breathe deeply. Relaxation is crucial for proper digestion and savouring the flavours of your food.

    If You Don’t Love It, Don’t Eat It: Approach your first three bites mindfully, focusing on the taste, flavours, and textures. Make a conscious decision about whether you genuinely enjoy the food. Choose to eat based on what brings you real satisfaction.

  3. Mindful Break: Rewiring Your Thought Patterns

    Approximately 95% of our actions operate on autopilot, driven by what is referred to as the “fast brain.” This automatic mode is a result of neural networks forming habits, condensing countless sensory inputs into efficient shortcuts for navigating our complex world. Unfortunately, these ingrained patterns often lead us back to old behaviours before we can consciously redirect ourselves.

    Mindfulness serves as the antidote to this rapid-fire process – it embodies the “slow brain.” Unlike autopilot, mindfulness engages executive control, fostering intentional actions, willpower, and thoughtful decisions. However, cultivating mindfulness requires practice. The more we activate our slow brain through deliberate and novel actions, the more we stimulate neuroplasticity, reinforcing the grey matter with newly sprouted neurons that have not yet been streamlined for fast-brain shortcuts.

    The challenge lies in the dichotomy between the slow brain, which understands what is best for us, and the fast brain, which often steers us down familiar, less beneficial paths. Enter the concept of “behaviour design” – a strategy to empower the slow brain. Two approaches accomplish this: impeding the fast brain with obstacles and clearing the path for the slow brain to take control.

    Shifting the balance in favor of the slow brain demands effort. Here are some strategies to initiate this transformation:

    Create Physical Obstacles: Set up physical reminders for your intentions. For example, place your yoga mat or meditation cushion prominently in your living space to make it impossible to ignore as you pass by.

    Vary Your Triggers: Regularly refresh the cues that prompt your new intentions. If you use sticky notes, change them up, add variety, or inject humour to prolong their effectiveness against the encroachment of old habits.

    Establish “If This, Then That” Patterns: Design simple reminders to transition into slow brain by linking specific situations to intentional actions. For instance, create prompts like “If office door, then deep breath” or “If phone rings, take a breath before answering.” Each conscious effort to shift into mindfulness reinforces the strength of your slow brain.

  4. Mindful Exercise: Engage Your Mind and Body

    Whether you’re cycling, lifting weights, or hitting the treadmill, every physical activity can transform into a mindfulness practice. Rather than merely focusing on burning calories or enhancing physical condition, you can integrate mindful movement and breathing, elevating your experience from a routine workout to a holistic engagement that invigorates both body and mind.

    Follow these steps, adaptable to any exercise, to synchronise your body, mind, and nervous system, enhancing your ability to channel energy into your workout:

    Clarify Your Purpose: Before embarking on your activity, bring intentionality to the forefront. As you prepare, consciously envision your session’s guiding theme. For instance, before cycling, affirm, “I will breathe deeply and immerse myself in the sensations of the breeze, sun, and passing scenery.” When entering the pool, declare, “I’ll pay attention to each stroke and embrace the sound and feel of the water surrounding me.”

    Warm-Up (5 minutes): Initiate your routine with simple moves like jumping jacks or stretching. Focus on synchronising your breath with movement to align brain activity, heart rate, and the nervous system. Rhythmic motion establishes a stable foundation.

    Settle into a Rhythm (10 to 15 minutes): Increase intensity while maintaining coordination between breath and movement. If synchronization proves challenging, concentrate solely on your breathing for a few minutes until you find your rhythm.

    Challenge Yourself (10 to 15 minutes): Push your limits with faster speed, more repetitions, or heavier weights, depending on your chosen activity. Observe the heightened alertness and vitality that arise when you challenge yourself.

    Cool Down (5 minutes): Gradually decelerate until you come to a complete stop. Take note of how your body feels, and absorb the surroundings.

    Rest (5 minutes): Quietly acknowledge the symphony of sensations within and around you. Practice identifying and naming your feelings and senses. You’ll likely experience a sense of wakefulness and vitality throughout your entire being.

  5. Mindful Driving: Navigate with Calmness, Not Chaos

    Heavy traffic and impatient drivers can easily trigger the “fight or flight” response, leading to road rage and heightened stress levels. Cities like Los Angeles, known for severe traffic conditions and less-than-serene drivers, often witness emotions running high and tempers flaring. However, transforming this experience is entirely possible. Even in the most challenging traffic situations, you can use the opportunity to cultivate mindfulness, enhance your sense of connection to others, and regain balance and perspective.

    Follow these simple steps for a behind-the-wheel mindfulness practice that has proven to work wonders:

    Inhale Deeply: Begin by taking a deep breath. This simple yet impactful act boosts oxygen intake, creating a gap between the external stimulus and your stress response. Within this gap, you gain perspective and the ability to opt for a more balanced reaction.

    Ask Yourself What You Need: In the midst of traffic, identify your immediate needs—whether it’s a sense of safety, ease, or simply relief. Understanding your needs is the first step towards restoring balance.

    Give Yourself What You Need: If ease is what you need, scan your body for tension (a good habit while driving) and release any tightness. Offer yourself phrases of self-compassion like, “May I be at ease, may I feel safe, may I be happy.”

    Recognize Shared Humanity: Look around and recognize that every driver shares common desires—to feel safe, have a sense of ease, and be happy. Observing agitated fellow drivers, find solace in the one singing or smiling, dispelling some of your stress. Extend the same compassionate wishes to them, saying, “May you be at ease, may you feel safe, may you be happy.”

    Take Another Deep Breath: In 15 seconds or less, transform your mood by applying these simple practices. When frustration builds, focus on what you need and extend those wishes to others. For instance, if safety is your concern, say, “May I be safe, may you be safe, may we all be safe.” Breathe in, breathe out, and sow the seeds of happiness.

Conclusion:

Embracing mindfulness in your daily life is a journey that demands commitment and practice. By integrating these mindful principles into your routine, you can cultivate a heightened sense of presence, resilience, and overall well-being. Keep in mind that mindfulness is a skill that matures over time, with its positive effects extending beyond the individual to enhance relationships, work, and overall quality of life. Welcome the path of self-discovery and savor the transformative influence of mindfulness in your everyday experiences.

What is the difference between mental health and mental wellness?

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What is the difference between mental health and mental wellness?

In today’s discussions, there is a heightened focus on mental health and well-being. This increased attention is having a tangible impact, considering that one in four individuals will encounter a mental health challenge at some stage in their lives. The more we engage in conversations about mental health, the more the associated stigma diminishes.

Yet, as the dialogue progresses, you may have noticed the recurring use or interchangeability of certain terms: mental health and mental wellness. Are these terms synonymous, or is there a distinction between them? Which one is more appropriate to use? To unravel this, let’s delve into the definitions of these terms.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It involves the individual’s ability to handle stress, relate to others, make decisions, and cope with the challenges of life. Good mental health contributes to overall functioning, productivity, and the ability to form meaningful relationships.

Mental health encompasses a wide range of factors, including emotional resilience, self-esteem, the ability to manage emotions, and effective communication. It is not just the absence of mental disorders but also the presence of positive mental qualities and coping mechanisms.

What is Mental Wellness?

Mental wellness refers to the state of one’s mental health and the proactive efforts taken to promote a positive, fulfilling, and balanced life. It goes beyond the absence of mental disorders and focuses on building resilience, fostering positive emotions, and enhancing overall psychological well-being.

 

Key components of mental wellness include:

  • Emotional Resilience: The ability to bounce back from challenges, adapt to change, and cope with stress in a healthy way.

 

  • Self-awareness: Understanding one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviours, and being mindful of how they contribute to overall well-being.

 

  • Effective Stress Management: Developing and utilizing coping strategies to handle life’s stressors and pressures in a constructive manner.

 

  • Healthy Relationships: Building and maintaining positive connections with others, fostering a sense of belonging, and having a support system.

 

  • Positive Lifestyle Choices: Incorporating habits such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, and other activities that contribute to mental and physical well-being.

 

  • Positive Lifestyle Choices: Incorporating habits such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, and other activities that contribute to mental and physical well-being.

 

  • Life Satisfaction: Finding meaning and purpose in life, setting and pursuing goals, and experiencing a sense of accomplishment.

 

  • Seeking Support: Being open to seeking help when needed, whether through friends, family, or mental health professionals.

Mental wellness is a proactive and holistic approach to mental health that emphasizes the promotion of positive mental qualities and the prevention of mental health issues. It encourages individuals to take an active role in their mental well-being and to adopt habits that contribute to a fulfilling and satisfying life.

Key Differences between mental health and mental wellness

Mental HealthMental Wellness
DefinitionRefers to a person’s overall psychological well-being, including the presence or absence of mental illnesses or disorders. It encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being.Focuses on the positive aspects of mental health, emphasizing a person’s ability to cope with stress, work productively, build positive relationships, and make meaningful contributions to society.
ScopeEncompasses a broad spectrum, ranging from mental illnesses and disorders to the absence of diagnosable conditions.Primarily emphasizes the proactive and positive aspects of mental well-being, promoting self-care, stress management, and personal growth.
Prevention vs. TreatmentOften associated with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental disorders through therapy, medications, or other interventions.Emphasizes preventive measures, lifestyle choices, and activities that contribute to maintaining a positive mental state and preventing the onset of mental health issues.
FocusTends to focus on addressing and managing symptoms of mental illnesses, improving functioning, and providing support during times of crisis.Concentrates on fostering resilience, personal development, and the pursuit of a balanced and fulfilling life.
Negative vs. PositiveOften associated with the absence of mental disorders or the management of negative symptoms.Centres around positive attributes such as life satisfaction, emotional resilience, and the pursuit of a meaningful and purposeful life.
Holistic ApproachCan involve specialized treatments and interventions targeted at specific disorders or symptoms.Encourages a holistic approach that considers various aspects of life, including physical health, social connections, and personal fulfilment.
StigmaMay be associated with societal stigma related to mental illnesses and the misconception that mental health issues are a sign of weakness.Generally carries a more positive and proactive connotation, promoting a broader understanding of mental well-being beyond the absence of illness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while mental health and mental wellness are interconnected, they represent distinct aspects of our psychological well-being. Recognizing the differences is crucial for fostering a comprehensive approach to personal growth and happiness. By prioritizing both mental health and mental wellness, individuals can embark on a journey towards a more fulfilling and resilient life, embracing challenges with a positive mindset and nurturing their mental well-being proactively.