THE PROBLEMS AND THE SOLUTIONS ENTREPRENEURIAL AND SOFT SKILLS NECESSARY IN TODAY’S WORK ENVIRONMENT THE PROBLEMS AND THE SOLUTIONS

“The rules for work are changing, and we’re all being judged, whether we know it or not, by a new “yardstick”— it’s not just how smart we are and what technical skills we have, which employers see as givens, but increasingly by how well we handle ourselves and one another.”

In the Age of Information: Increased reliance on information technology often comes at a price - less personal human contact. Over-emphasis on information causes us to lose sight of nonverbal cues and clues.

Major Developments in the Work World: Trend: Increasing use of teams and worker participation in problem-solving. Team members need skills in decision making, leadership, conflict resolution and communications.

Trend: Increasing work force diversity in dimensions such as ethnicity, age, gender and physical differences means there are many differing values, work habits and expectations.

Major Developments in the Work World: Trend: Increasing focus on customer service to clients, patients, and customers means employees help shape customers’ impressions of its quality. In a service economy, relationships may be more important than products!

Trend: Unfortunately there is a growing epidemic of workplace rudeness, insensitivity, and disrespect in this speeded up economy that can damage workplace relationships and kill careers.

Every organization depends on three essential factors: people, processes and technology Regarding people: Personal and interpersonal effectiveness set the stage for both career success and organizational success. Communication and interpersonal skills are rated highly by nearly all employers hiring new employees.

DEVELOPING SOFT SKILLS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS FOR SUCCESS – CRITICAL IN THE 21ST CENTURY WORK PLACE

As a Science: Human Relations/Soft Skills/People Skills/Social Skills The study of why beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors can both cause problems OR enhance personal and professional relationships.

BEING ENTREPRENEURIAL IS: “ESSENTIALLY ABOUT THINKING AND DOING SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A DESIRABLE GOAL OR OUTCOME, ASSESSING THE SITUATION, DESIGNING ALTERNATIVES, AND CHOOSING A NEW WAY OR PERHAPS A COMBINATION OF WAYS THAT WILL LEAD US TO SOMETHING BETTER” (thinking “outside the box, taking a chance)

DEVELOPING SOFT SKILLS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS FOR SUCCESS – CRITICAL IN THE 21ST CENTURY WORK PLACE