1. Communication skills

Communication is vital in the workplace. Whether you're a customer support expert addressing inquiries from customers, a recruiter interviewing job candidates, or a marketing associate presenting your ideas to your marketing managers. Professionals with effective communication are able to present ideas convincingly and with authority. It also allows them to collaborate efficiently with their colleagues and avoid misunderstandings resulting in conflict. If a conflict does arise, communication is key to resolving it.

Communication covers:

• Public speaking
• Ideation and presentation
• Product knowledge
• Branding and positioning
• Writing
• Negotiation
• Interviewing and feedback

2. Conflict management and resolution

Conflict can arise anytime in the workplace and derail progress for everyone. Conflict management and resolution aren’t just about solving problems or issues. It is also about determining the problem and its cause to come up with the right strategy or approach for resolution. Successful conflict resolution fosters positive relationships, accountability, and better decision-making. These skills are strongly aligned with leadership. But you don’t have to be in a senior or managerial position to practice it.

• Conflict management and resolution align with:
• Leadership, management, and delegation
• Mentoring and coaching
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Mediation
• Problem-solving
• Emotional intelligence

3. Stress management

One of the most common questions during job interviews is “How do you manage or handle stress in the workplace?” Stress management is the ability to effectively recognise, understand, and cope with stress inside and outside the office. Stress will always be a factor in the workplace. The important thing to focus on is how to deal with it in a way that you can stay driven and productive. It also demonstrates your adaptability and emotional intelligence, which are also important soft skills employers highly seek.

Stress management positively impacts:

• Emotional intelligence
• Empathy
• Time management
• Self-motivation and self-awareness
• Social skills

4. Teamwork and collaboration

Being a team player nurtures a collaborative work culture. This is important, especially in Malaysia where professionals from diverse backgrounds work together. Teamwork creates a work environment where ideas and support are freely shared without fear of criticism or rejection. A collaborative work environment also improves individual confidence, empowerment, and accountability.

These skills are also important when working on cross-functional projects wherein professionals come from different departments with varying skills, communication styles, and methodologies Teamwork and collaboration impacts:

• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Leadership
• Intercultural communication
• Interpersonal
• Delegation
• Networking

5. Time management

Time management involves prioritising tasks, establishing deadlines, allocating effort and resources, and executing plans. There is more to it than that. Efficient time management improves your work organisation, strengthens your focus, determines your peak productivity period, limits distractions, and conquers procrastination. Time management helps you achieve the most, no matter the time duration.

Time management aligns with:

• Decision-making and critical thinking
• Stress management
• Goal setting and prioritisation
• Self-discipline, focus, and concentration