A to Z of Soft Skills

This presentation is for for students, professionals and entrepreneurs to improve their soft skills. This is basic orientation in each area of soft skills. Trainers can use this presentation to build their content and span. Keep visiting the page for each area of soft skill in future.

1. Soft skills are personal attributes that enhance an individual's
interactions, career prospect and productivity
to
for students, professionals and entrepreneurs
J Ravi Shanker

2. J Ravi Shanker
note…
This presentation is made for youngsters who want to
progress and make a statement of their own in this
competitive world. It helps you to become a better
person.
It is exhaustive and prescriptive as well. It will be wise
to go through this presentation over a period of time
rather complete it at one go. This will give you time to
ponder over each point and reflect at ease. I would
encourage group discussion over each slide for
diverse view points.
Happy Surfing…
This presentation is only for educative non commercial use. All photographs and art
forms illustrated are of respective individuals sources.

3. J Ravi Shanker
A-
Attitude
B-
Behavior
C-
Communi
ca-tion
C-
Coach
D-
Determina
tion
E-
Etiquettes
E-
Ethics
F-
Friendship
G-Group
work
H-
Humor
I-
Interperso
nal Skills
I -Integrity
J-
Just do it
K-
Knowledg
e
L-
Leadershi
p
M-
Motivation
N-
Negotiatio
n
O-
Optimism
P-
Profession
alism
P-
Problem
solving
P-
Presenta-
tion
P-
Personal
Hygiene
Q-
Question
R-
Responsib
i-lity
S-Social
grace
T-Time
manage-
ment
U-
Understan
ding
V-Voice
ideas
W-
Winning
spirit
X-
X factor
Y-Young
at heart
Z-
Zeal
The A to Z of Soft skill basics.

4. J Ravi Shanker
Attitude
Carry realistic self image
Keep a winning Attitude
Think positive
Talk positive
Accept and learn from criticism
Always respect others’ culture
Be practical
Keep a check on your attitude

5. J Ravi Shanker
Behavior
Be nice to people around you
Be courteous / polite
Dress to the occasion
Always greet people with smile
Never be arrogant
Leave the place if you can’t fit in
Don’t argue for the sake of it
Do not over indulge

6. J Ravi Shanker
Communication-i
Verbal Communication(Includes both spoken and written
forms)
Non-verbal communication(Understanding Body Language)
Develop listening skills(Active, Passive and Reflective
Listening)
Refrain from negative communication
Engage positive tone, words/verbs
Build up the topic before you deliver
Know the importance of ‘silence’
Your body language should be of
acceptable standards

7. J Ravi Shanker
Communication-ii
Learn strategies to improve your fluency and confidence in
official /business language & local language
Develop the speaking skills to clearly express your ideas
Improve your range and accuracy in business language
Work on your accent, intonation and production of
individual sounds. Should not sound artificial.
Practice elocution skills in meetings and presentations
Write reports, letters and emails as practice
Work on effective speaking, presentation skills, public
speaking, handling questions, team presentations, and
telephone etiquette
most business communications remains confusing, ungrammatical, unfocused or
unnecessary. Focus on how to write clearly and precisely, and how to identify and
correct
common errors in grammar, usage, and sentence structure, persuasive letters,
memos,
notices, faxes, and e-mail messages, as well as documentation and various

8. J Ravi Shanker
Coach
Always try to share your learning
Don’t discourage others
Encourage fresher to experiment
Encourage discussion
Promote creativity
Look at scope for learning
Appreciate even smallest
achievement
Overcome insecurities

9. J Ravi Shanker
Determination
Always be determined to achieve higher goals
Do not get distracted
Keep yourself motivated
Express confidence
Do not easily give up
Possibilities are endless
One failure is not ‘the end’
Take support of others

10. J Ravi Shanker
Etiquette-i
Where ever you go, follow the rules
Always greet people with smile
Be courteous to all
Stand straight
Sit in decent posture
Never be rude to people
Do not haggle with people
While driving don’t honk too much
Don’t indulge in rash driving

11. J Ravi Shanker
Etiquettes-ii
While travelling don’t throw garbage out of
window
At lift / elevator /public transport don’t push
people
Give way to elders, children and women
Keep your workstation / laptop / tab organized
While sipping coffee / tea don’t make noise
While dining wait for others to start
Don’t litter / split in public places
Don’t talk loudly on mobile / phone
Don’t spoil public places

12. J Ravi Shanker
Ethics
Never cause harm to public property
Uphold country / institutional values
Be honest to the possible extent
Follow rules even if no one watching you
Set principles in personal and work life
Adhere to own value system
Do not deviate from ethics for
short term gains

13. J Ravi Shanker
Friendship
Win friends on your way
Don’t make enemies; they eat your time
Keep regular contact with people
Greet them on special days
If you can afford, give occasional gifts
Treat them with respect
Never ignore your friends
Don’t hesitate to take help
Don’t exploit friendship

14. J Ravi Shanker
Group Work
Know how to work in
group
Be a team player
Treat your colleagues
with respect
Motivate your
colleagues
Be assertive
Ready to confront if
needed
Always resolve
conflicts
Listen to your
colleagues
Promote team work
Invest in team building
Appreciate their
contribution
Ready to negotiate.

15. J Ravi Shanker
Humor
Have sense of humor
Do not anger people
Don’t belittle others in humor
Be sensitive in your humor
Your humor should relieve stress
Send refreshing messages/
mails
Don’t mock your mentor

16. J Ravi Shanker
Interpersonal skills
Keep good working relationship with colleagues
Always respect their opinion
If disagree, express it with dignity
Be non-judgmental
Respect confidentiality of others
Don’t gossip others’ personal life
If you can’t appreciate, stay silent
Overcome prejudice
Ready to cooperate

17. J Ravi Shanker
Integrity
Be clear about your beliefs / values
Don’t be scared to accept mistake
Don’t lie
Don’t try to bribe
Be honest
Be courageous
Deliver what you commit

18. J Ravi Shanker
Just do it
Don’t spend too much time on thinking
Complete the task in time to get results
Don’t let smaller issues become bigger hurdles
Never leave the task midway
Roll up sleeves & rope in others
Don’t let the fear of failure
overpower you
Don’t get disheartened easily

19. J Ravi Shanker
Knowledge
Knowledge is nothing but common sense
Always be alert
Read/watch news regularly
Be thorough in your subject of interest
Think before you talk
Carry 360
o
perspective
Read books regularly
Questioning is source of
learning

20. J Ravi Shanker
Leadership
See the big picture
Be a democratic leader
Involve others
Consult before decide
Show the path to others
Be open for feedback
Learn from mistakes
Lead from front
Keep members together

21. J Ravi Shanker
Motivation
Motivate yourself & others
Have patience
Keep trying and never give up
Demonstrate the success
Celebrate success
Appreciate good work
Reward success
Recognize the achievement

22. J Ravi Shanker
Negotiation skills
Understand the problem and actors
Don’t loose focus
Work out win-win situation
Lead / facilitate discussion to end result
Always pacify conflict
Do not overstretch dialogue
Be well mannered

23. J Ravi Shanker
Optimism
Be optimistic
Never be pessimistic
Cynicism is destructive
Infuse optimism in colleagues / followers
Carry positive attitude
Believe in yourself
Trust your colleagues

24. J Ravi Shanker
Professionalism
Respect time & resources
Be committed to task
Uphold professional values
Separate professional and personal life
Organize your work
Do not over commit
Don’t step into others role
Carry mutual respect
Don’t deviate from rules
Never violate law

25. J Ravi Shanker
Problem solving
Exude confidence
Don’t celebrate problem
Instill hope in others
Seek help & cooperation
Be ready to apologize or course correction
Be creative / out of the box
Look for alternatives
Ready to accept failure
Never aggravate problem

26. J Ravi Shanker
Presentation
Dress appropriately for the presentation
Keep eye contact with the audience
Modulate your voice and tone through out
Be precise and crisp in your presentation
Allow time to discuss
Keep content visually appealing
Use neutral colors
Use wit and humor cautiously
Don’t block your presentation
Involve audience

27. J Ravi Shanker
Personal Hygiene
Dress well. Never look
shabby or stinky
Keep check on body
odor
Don’t over spray
perfume
Check your oral
hygiene
After using toilet make
sure its clean
Don’t poke nose in
public
While coughing use
tissue
Trim hair & nails
regularly
Rehydrate yourself at
regular intervals

28. J Ravi Shanker
Question
Never hesitate to question
Question to know but not to judge
Question yourself before you question others
Accept others questioning with grace
Don’t be reactive to questions
Never question with bias
Don’t get emotional
Don’t be judgmental

29. J Ravi Shanker
Responsibility
Take initiative
Assume responsibility
Never shy away from responsibility
Take additional responsibilities
However, don’t over burden yourself
Be realistic about your abilities
Demonstrate your abilities

30. J Ravi Shanker
Social grace
Be sensitive to local culture
Dress to the cultural
Be conscious about social values
Be conscious about environment
Be conscious about vulnerable
Don’t display wealth
Be humble to others
Be sensitive to problems
Be careful with selection
of your words

31. J Ravi Shanker
Time Management
Multitask and prioritize your to-do
list
Always schedule your task
Stick to time schedules
Apologize if not punctual
Work to deliver task in time
Convey the delay in advance
Respect other’s time
Don’t overbook yourself
Never leave work to last hour
Never procrastinate

32. J Ravi Shanker
Understanding
Understand before you conclude
Understand others position and point
Understand others limitations and
strengths
Be realistic in your expectations
Ask for some time to understand
Study various aspects
Allow benefit of doubt if needed
Check out past experiences

33. J Ravi Shanker
Voice ideas
Don’t hesitate to express your views / ideas
Give voice to your thoughts
Don’t let your position restrict you form
expressing your ideas
Don’t bother about ‘what others think?’
Sharing ideas is always appreciated
Have a winning idea ? share it

34. J Ravi Shanker
Winning spirit
Always carry ‘winning spirit’
Don’t carry ‘self doubt’
Some may discourage you but don’t loose your
spirit
Hurdles are part of the game.
Your winning spirit can create ‘magic’
Carry ‘never die’ attitude
Keep smiling
Encourage others not to give up

35. J Ravi Shanker
X factor
Every individual is unique & special
Identify the X factor in you
Always carry the X factor with you
Be conscious and proud of it
Never let others demoralize you
Take advantage of your X factor
Your uniqueness is your strength

36. J Ravi Shanker
Youthful
Always stay young at heart
Never let your age dominate you
Youthfulness is productive
Youthfulness brings happiness
You can always inspire others
Carry ability to laugh together
Take criticism with smile
Don’t hesitate to crack joke at self
Be ready to take challenge

37. J Ravi Shanker
Zeal
Zeal or high spirit sustains your life
Have zeal to know more
Have zeal to learn at any age
Have zeal to grow
Have zeal to contribute more