5 soft skills that ensure success

When employers are looking for the right PA candidate, they search for somebody who has business and technical knowledge, but they also want somebody with excellent people skills. These are the five essential soft skills that will ensure career success no matter the industry, according to workplace speaker Antonio Neves.

1 Listening
Being able to speak to clients and colleagues in a professional manner is a given when it comes to being a PA. But you should also have the ability to listen to what others are saying, think about it and then give an appropriate response.

2 Accountability
Never make promises you can’t keep. If you say you’re going to do something, make sure you do it. And don’t be afraid to accept responsibility if something goes wrong and it’s your fault. This is one of those soft skills everyone needs to have.

3 Creativity
The best PAs can find a solution to a problem before their boss even knows there’s an issue. You need to be able to think creatively about situations so you can go to your manager with a problem and a suggestion for how to get around it.

4 Emotional intelligence
It’s easy to act on our emotions without thinking. One of the key soft skills that employers commend is the ability to recognise when you’re angry or sad so you can think about your actions and whether they’re appropriate.

5 Empathy
Bosses like seeing a team effort, so it’s important to help your colleagues when you can. Pay attention if you notice anyone struggling and find out what you can do to assist them. It’s also a good idea to put yourself in a situation that allows you to understand how your colleagues think and feel.

Read the original article at muse.cm/29nQmBx