Throughout our professional careers, most of us have had to deal with this type of person. To caricature it a bit for TV series fans, imagine having to collaborate with the brilliant Dr. House—someone willing to do whatever it takes to solve the most mysterious medical cases and save lives, yet completely disrespectful. In the context of our post, we could say that Dr. House lacks interpersonal skills (soft skills). Unlike hard skills, soft skills refer to behavioral or human abilities, usually acquired outside of school or university. In the Cameroonian and African professional and entrepreneurial world, purely technical aspects have long taken precedence over an individual's human qualities and values. Yet, both skill sets are essential to increasing your chances of success in entrepreneurship! Here is why.
In 1960, the U.S. Army realized that technical skills alone were no longer enough to lead its troops, and that social and human skills were needed to direct, motivate soldiers, and win battles. It therefore invested significant resources in developing training procedures. This was followed by a series of studies that led to what are commonly called "soft skills" today. Sometimes referred to as "general skills," according to Harvard Business School, soft skills reflect our ability to build relationships with others by using human qualities such as empathy, compassion, and authenticity.
People with strong interpersonal skills build stronger connections with others. Meanwhile, the International Labour Organization observes that today, strong communication skills, building positive relationships with stakeholders, and demonstrating leadership qualities are becoming essential skills for workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, among others.
While it is true that employees must possess specific knowledge and skills related to their role to fulfill their professional responsibilities, those who excel generally rely on additional qualities, such as the ability to communicate clearly, work skillfully with others, and manage their time effectively. Soft skills are also viewed as general abilities that help employees thrive in the workplace. They are often referred to as transferable skills or interpersonal skills.
Companies today, through their human resources departments, increasingly understand that soft skills are essential—both for staff productivity and for maintaining a healthy and harmonious atmosphere within work teams. In fact, they are now investing more in team-building activities, such as birthday celebrations and after-work gatherings, which help develop these soft skills among their staff in an organic way. Soft skills also encourage the creation and maintenance of good relationships with the company's various stakeholders, namely: clients, prospects, partners, and investors.
The entrepreneurial environment in Cameroon is quite complex. Sometimes you need a lot of patience, determination, and interpersonal skills to see your project through to the end. Unfortunately, the current educational system, as well as the training available today, is generally limited to technical skills.
This is done without teaching these young people how to communicate effectively, how to persuade, how to listen, or how to manage stress. Yet, it is clear that in a competitive environment, having a good project is not enough. Human qualities are therefore an essential tool to stand out and succeed. Here are a few below:
Knowing how to communicate means first and foremost knowing how to listen, paying attention to the person speaking, and understanding their words and way of thinking. It also means knowing when to speak up, letting the person express themselves without interrupting them.
In everyday language, this refers to "problem-solving" or being "results-oriented." Indeed, if you are driven by results, you will be better equipped to meet your partners' expectations.
A good leader is not a boss, but a manager. Your teams will not expect you to be a military commander, but rather a guide. A good leader will take the time to know their team to grow together successfully. They will share a vision, encourage group brainstorming, and promote teamwork, which is another essential soft skill. They will know how to upskill their team members after assessing their respective skills, qualities, and needs.
Good decision-making skills involve gathering essential information related to the decision, weighing alternatives, and considering the risks and benefits of each before making a final choice. All of this is aimed at making the best possible decision. This quality is highly sought after, especially in management roles.
The better you manage your stress, the better you will handle conflicts within your teams or with your business partners. An inability to manage stress levels is often a source of conflict within teams, which will undoubtedly dampen the atmosphere.
Although creativity is considered an innate talent for some, that may not be the case for others. However, these are skills you can develop by showing curiosity, practice, and an open mind.
One of the biggest difficulties creative people face is that they struggle to accept criticism. Therefore, do not be one of those who sees the slightest critique as an attempt to harm you. Since perfection does not exist, listen, take notes, and grow.
When it comes to developing soft skills in the professional or entrepreneurial environment, companies or individuals can call upon trainers, coaches, or a specialized agency to provide tailored support and follow-up.
Daniel E.
