Three experts decode soft skills corporates are looking for in senior hires

What does it take to run a royal palace According to the Prince and Princess of Wales who wish to hire a CEO for Kensington Palace apart from the required qualifications people skills are equally critical A point in the job description read lsquoEmotionally intelligent with low ego and strong selfawareness and understanding of their impact on othersrsquo Another requirement mentioned the need for a lsquoservant leaderrsquo which Asana an online work management portal describes as a leadership style that focuses on serving others as compared to traditional leadership or managing for resultsPrince William Duke of Cambridge and Princess Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Pic CourtesyGetty ImagesLizanne Dsouza recruitment consultant and HR professional first reminds us that leadership skills can be learned and exercised Raising the importance of soft skills Dsouza notes ldquoLeadership is about direction and guiding people towards achieving a goal To be a good leader you need to have the people skills that make you approachablerdquoAfsheen Dattoobhai founder of Outsight a growth and development company adds ldquoAs a leader you must ensure that your teams have access to relevant resources and the support required to seamlessly integrate as a whole and work towards goals One of the key ways of doing this is by recognising and embracing humanity in teamsrdquoThese experts identify the traits that reflect high emotional intelligence and are needed for seniormost managerial rolesPeople in leadership roles should actively listen to their teams communicate ideas clearly be approachable and build soft skillsgtgt Emotional quotientSanjay Rahate life and career coach and founder of upskilling portal Get Set Go World explains that a person with high Emotional Quotient EQ encompasses selfawareness selfregulation empathy and interpersonal skills and is not ruled by their ego ldquoLeaders with high EQ can navigate complex social dynamics build strong relationships and inspire their teams This skill fosters open communication teamwork and conflict resolutionrdquo This trait includes empathy with which Dsouza and Dattoobhai note a leader will be approachable and be able to understand another personrsquos experience challenges perspective and objective to help them with a solution or directiongtgt Effective communicationCommunication skills include being a good listener Listening to understand can in turn help you build empathy Dattoobhai remarks ldquoAn effective leader listens to their team with the objective of understanding what is being communicated both verbally and nonverbally and supports them through the circumstancerdquo Rahate adds ldquoApart from listening actively senior hires should also convey ideas clearly This will help articulate a vision provide constructive feedback and foster a culture of transparency and trustrdquoHigh emotional quotient traits include setting aside onersquos ego to serve your team as a leader instead of ruling for resultsgtgt AdaptabilityDsouza notes the importance of being open to learning while Rahate explains the value of adaptability in the era of constant change and innovation He adds ldquoSenior hires must demonstrate their ability to embrace change learn new skills and pivot strategies when necessary Adaptable leaders will be able to capitalise on emerging opportunitiesrdquogtgt Good ethicsLeaders must demonstrate integrity honesty and practise ethical decisionmaking to build trust and foster a good work culture shares Rahate Such habits will also safeguard the companyrsquos reputation Dattoobhai highlights the importance of inclusivity in ensuring the work place functions with integrity She explains ldquoInclusivity doesnrsquot end at building a diverse team An inclusive leader will nurture a safe and supportive environment where team members feel empowered to contribute and voice their opinions without the fear of judgment threat or not being heardrdquoAfsheen Dattoobhaigtgt Soft skillsldquoBy working on themselves leaders begin to develop a higher emotional intelligence and are able to recognise moments where support and interventions are required within teamsrdquo Dattobhai elaboratesRahate notes that training programmes and courses on emotional intelligence communication and leadership can be instrumental ways to build such traits and soft skills He also highlights the importance of practising on the job ldquoApply newly acquired skills in your current role seek opportunities to learn from and collaborate with diverse teams and document achievementsrdquoLizanne Dsouza and Sanjay RahateHe adds ways to showcase soft skills in your CV First selfassess current skills and strengths Then quantify the impact ldquoOn your CV provide concrete examples of your skills in action Instead of vague claims use the STAR method to describe Situations Tasks Actions and Results while emphasising on your contributions Lastly customise your CV for the role and highlight the soft skills and EQ traits that are most relevant according to the job descriptionrdquo he concludes