Mindfulness Archives | INNOVA People

The workplace is transforming as employers’ attitudes toward work and the criteria for suitable talent have shifted. “Hard” technical skills once took center stage, and employers now realize the increasing importance of “soft skills.” Those intangible qualities that define how you work and interact are the new currency of the workplace.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report reveals that soft skills are just as essential as hard skills because success in the workplace often requires more than the technical ability to do the job. Soft skills can make a significant difference, “The socio-emotional attitudes which businesses consider to be growing in importance most quickly are curiosity and lifelong learning; resilience, flexibility and agility; and motivation and self-awareness—evidence that businesses emphasize the importance of resilient and reflective workers embracing a culture of lifelong learning as the lifecycle of their skills decreases,” the report’s findings state.

The Beauty of Soft Skills

As businesses adapt to emerging technologies, the demand for soft skills becomes more pronounced as they enable companies to navigate change.

What sets soft skills apart is their high transferability across industries. Whether contemplating a career pivot, aiming for rapid career progression, or even considering entrepreneurship, soft skills are your liquid assets. Their adaptability aligns seamlessly with evolving employer perspectives, making them and you a valuable asset in any professional setting.

Studies by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and the Stanford Research Center affirm that 85% of job success stems from proficient soft and interpersonal skills. In comparison, a mere 15% is attributed to technical skills and knowledge (hard skills).

Current In-Demand Soft Skills

Online learning platform Springboard for Business recently released its 2024 State of the Workforce Skills Gap report, which surveyed more than 1,0000 corporate professionals working at large companies, revealing the most sought-after soft skills in the current job market. Strategic thinking is at the top of the list, with 57% of leaders expressing the need for professionals with this skill. As businesses navigate an economy in a changing environment of flux, critical thinking becomes indispensable to stay competitive.

Additionally, problem-solving (49%) and verbal and written communication skills (46%) are crucial to keeping pace with the evolving professional landscape—emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships round out the list of essential soft skills, also known as durable or non-perishable skills, the report said.

The Importance of Soft Skills for Employees

With 79% of leaders acknowledging the limited longevity of technical skills to five years or less, the emphasis on soft skills has intensified as artificial intelligence reshapes industries. Unlike technical skills, soft skills cannot be outsourced to AI and are universally applicable at every level and function.

Displaying Your Soft Skills

In a competitive job market where employers sift through numerous resumes, showcasing your soft skills is a strategic move. Using explicit language such as “facilitated,” “presented,” “negotiated,” and “implemented” can help ensure that your soft skills stand out on paper. Be explicit and mention soft skills by name to avoid them getting lost on the page.

During interviews, soft skills become a powerful differentiator. Outline unique competencies through examples from previous work experiences, demonstrating critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

How to Actively Develop and Enhance Your Soft Skills

Personal development should be ongoing. Employees can hone their soft skills in practical situations by engaging in soft skill training initiatives. They can gain insights from each other’s experiences through immersive courses, simulations, and peer learning opportunities. Adopting an immersive approach can inspire employees to engage actively in personal and professional development.

Some courses that can help improve soft skills include:

Yale Connected Leadership Course
Yale Intro to Negotiation Course
Leadership Skills Course
Negotiation Strategies and Skills Course

Here are some ways companies can adapt their hiring processes to evaluate and prioritize soft skills:

Utilize behavioral interviews, employing questions that delve into a candidate’s real-life experiences and their application of skills across various contexts.
Employ skills assessments or pre-employment tests to evaluate both technical and soft skills.
Revise job descriptions to emphasize the importance of soft skills and talent.
Integrate psychometric testing into the evaluation process.
Provide skill development programs for candidates.
Cultivate a culture of continuous learning within the organization.

The Corporate Impact of Soft Skills

Mastering soft skills benefits not just individuals; it elevates teams and entire organizations. Strong, soft-skill employees become catalysts for innovation, efficiency, and growth. There’s a clear correlation between soft skills proficiency and professional success in a business landscape that continually evolves. As the demand for these skills persists, they remain valuable for job seekers and corporations.

From the moment the alarm goes off, you’re inundated with distractions. The pull to respond to the notifications on your phone, emails fill your inbox, and requests pile up. Within moments your attention is scattered.

As our lives have become filled with technology, the distractions we face have increased exponentially. With it, our ability to focus has diminished, but our need to think clearly to make complex decisions has not. More than ever, leaders need to train themselves to be fully present.

How can mindfulness meditation help?

Incorporating meditation into daily practice can help reduce stress, improve decision-making, increase focus, enhance creativity, and boost emotional resilience. Avoid burnout and reduce negative thinking.

The fundamental concept underlying meditation is the intentional act of being still. This can prove to be challenging in a society that values busyness, but its benefits have been scientifically proven.

Now it’s more convenient than ever to learn how to meditate on your own. Popular apps such as Headspace, Sattva, Buddhify, Calm, Healthy Minds Program, and the Mindfulness App, help those discover the benefits of this ancient old practice and guide you along the way. Its benefits have also caught the eye of the business world, as companies like Apple, Google, Ford Motor Company, Nike, McKesson, and American Express offer employees training in meditation programs to enhance leadership skills. Cloud computing giant, Salesforce created “mindfulness zones,” or quiet areas, on every floor of its building in San Francisco.

According to a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health report, 75% of Americans believe that workers today have more on-the-job stress than people did a generation ago. Constant anxiety increases the risk of mental and health ailments ranging from mood and sleep disorders to cardiovascular disease to musculoskeletal problems to having a negative impact on your relationships and productivity. The estimated $300 billion each year costs U.S. businesses due to absenteeism, turnover, disabilities, and reduced productivity.

David Gelles explains in his book, “Mindful Work,” that a highly stressed employee requires more healthcare spending by the company as compared to a less stressed employee. However, the implementation of mindfulness programs by companies has resulted in decreased healthcare costs.

Pause and take a breath.

Mindfulness meditation, at its origin, is a style of meditation that involves paying attention to sensations, feelings, and thoughts in a non-judgmental way. Research shows that 15 minutes of mindfulness-based meditation results in more rational thinking when making business decisions.

Leaders who focus on mindfulness at work tend to have happier employees and improved morale, according to the results found in this study. Mind training, of which meditation is one form, can change the composition of your mind. Research by Wisconsin’s Richard Davidson demonstrated a direct correlation between mindfulness and changes in the brain – away from anger and anxiety and toward a sense of

calm and well-being. UCLA’s Mindful Awareness Research Center found meditation can improve executive functions (sustaining attention, diminishing distractibility) better than medication in many cases.

What are ways you’re incorporating mindfulness meditation into your business? We’d love to hear what kind of results you are seeing.