Aug 1, 2024
While education and industry experience are vital, the most essential CEO leadership skills are of the interpersonal variety.
According to a LinkedIn study, 92% of talent professionals say soft skills matter as much or more than hard skills when hiring, and 80% say they're increasingly important to company success. Dr. Christina Rahm explores four key soft skills that have been instrumental in her business success.
Empathy is the ability to practice awareness of other people's emotions and understand their experiences and perspectives. It fosters trust and engagement among staff. Dr. Rahm emphasizes the importance of listening and not prioritizing your own tasks over employees' work. She suggests therapy and business coaching as aids in developing empathy.
Compassion is the desire to take action to help others. Dr. Rahm practices this by allowing employees to bring pets and kids into the workplace, empathizing with situations out of their control. This approach builds a more inclusive company culture and promotes a stronger work ethic by celebrating diversity.
Adaptability is the ability to approach change with openness and understanding. Dr. Rahm emphasizes the importance of entering ventures with a deliberate focus on sensitivity to change and willingness to pivot. She recommends meditation to foster a positive mindset and maintaining perspective on work.
Integrity is an untampered dedication to acting on morals and values. It requires honesty, fairness, and introspection. Dr. Rahm stresses the importance of accepting mistakes and looking failure in the eye without compromising values. She advises maintaining a strong sense of purpose as ethics will be frequently tested in business.
Dr. Christina Rahm concludes that while soft skills may not come easily, they are indispensable to running a business and living a happy, healthy life. These skills are cultivated over time and are more valuable than just having a degree. Practicing empathy, compassion, adaptability, and integrity is crucial for business success and personal growth.