The requirements for a CEO or any member of the C-suite have changed drastically over the past few years. Now, thanks to the remote and hybrid workforces brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current challenges all industries face, particularly in the tech sector, someone in a leadership position needs more than just industry expertise and financial savvy. Companies are seeking leaders with strong social skills, also known as soft skills.
Unlike hard skills, which are technical abilities gained through completing training or courses, their soft counterparts are acquired through work ethic, work style, and communication style. Leadership roles require constant communication with people in different capacities, so these soft skills are as essential as traditional hard abilities.
Why are soft skills so critical today? There are several reasons. Most companies are becoming increasingly tech-centric, relying on the same services platforms—Amazon Web Services, social media, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Workday, and others. That means they cannot differentiate themselves based on tangible technological investments alone. When the utilized tools are no longer a differentiating factor, leaders need to distinguish themselves through superior management of the people who use those tools and how they use them. That requires them to be top-notch communicators in every regard, able to devise the right messages and deliver them with empathy.
Another new challenge for CEOs and other senior leaders is dealing with issues of diversity and inclusion. That, too, demands strong social skills, particularly theory of mind. Executives who possess that perceptiveness about the mental states of others can move more easily among various professional groups, make them feel heard, and represent their interests within the organization and outside of it. With that, they can nurture an environment in which diverse talent thrives.
These conditions call for leaders who are adept communicators, relationship builders, and people-oriented problem solvers. We’ve identified the following skills as the most important to develop in the current industry conditions.
Teamwork
The ability to work with others is an essential aspect of generating positive results with your whole workforce. The better you can work alongside others, the more chance your team has at becoming successful and achieving its goals. In the workplace, it’s common for your employees to work with or collaborate with others to complete projects and tasks. Working with a leader focused on teamwork makes for an easier, more enjoyable, and streamlined experience for everyone.
Adaptability
Things are advancing quickly in this post-COVID-19 world. Artificial intelligence and remote work have profoundly changed work dynamics, making adaptability a must in the modern work environment. For leaders especially, adaptability, teamwork, and communication all go hand-in-hand in achieving an invaluable, well-rounded soft skillset.
Being fully adaptable enables you to keep up with moving deadlines, priorities, projects, technology, and clients and be accustomed to dealing with changing situations. Understanding how to adjust to new conditions in your field, and even on your team, will be massively helpful in furthering your mission.
Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions while also recognizing the feelings of those around you.
To CEOs, advanced emotional intelligence means honoring what we’re feeling, understanding what others are experiencing emotionally, and then working thoughtfully to find common ground between you and your team.
Communication and listening
A good leader needs to be able to communicate what s/he has in mind, leaving no room for interpretation. Being better at communicating means less friction with the receptor and less time wasted due to misunderstandings. With clear communication, plans, and goals can be accomplished in the expected manner and timeline.
While learning how to put your opinion forward is paramount, the second part is listening to others. As a CEO, you should check in with your team regularly and listen to any concerns they have. Without communication skills, a CEO cannot connect with their team, so it’s important to develop your skills and practice active listening.
Developing others
According to a study on the effect of career development on employee retention, training programs are intrinsically linked to higher levels of employee satisfaction. People want to progress in their careers and could likely leave the company if they don’t see the opportunity for progress. Think about how your career developed and the opportunities you took advantage of. Your team expects to be rewarded for their work, so don’t underestimate the importance of training and development.
Speak to your team regularly and arrange meetings where you can reflect on which members have management potential. You can work with your HR team and current managers to ensure regular training is offered.
Team building
Team building for effective teamwork is a discipline that can build long-lasting trust and confidence in your peers. This is especially important when dealing with a remote or hybrid workforce. Of the many benefits those models bring, the one drawback is the lack of a feeling of belonging, which can be addressed by a savvy leader who can build an effective team, even if its members live and work on different continents.
Collaboration, sharing ideas, and delegating responsibilities are all part of excellent team-building practices. The most effective team builders will look at which skills they require and choose individuals who can offer their own strengths to create a strong panel of co-workers.
In conclusion, the current work environment requires leaders, directors, and CEOs who excel in the technical aspects of the job but are also good people. They must be willing to improve how they communicate with their peers, build effective teams, develop internal talent, value teamwork, be adaptable, and have high emotional intelligence. By developing these six skills discussed in this article, bosses will be ready to meet the requirements of modern industries and become recognized leaders.
